NEW ROCHELLE, NY (December 31, 2024) — Michelle Kim Bernstein, a former Westchester County Assistant District Attorney, was sworn in as a judge at the New Rochelle City Court on Monday, December 30. The ceremony was officiated by Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert.
This is an interim appointment that will expire on December 31, 2025.
Bernstein, a graduate of Hofstra University School of Law, has been an assistant district attorney with the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office where she earned a salary of $140,486 in 2023, according to public records from SeeThroughNY.net. Bernstein’s tenure as District Attorney concluded on December 27, 2024, paving the way for her judicial role.
Her appointment to the bench was officially communicated in a letter dated December 3, 2024, from Mayor Ramos-Herbert to the Honorable Anne Minihan, JSC, Administrative Judge of the Ninth District.
In the letter, Mayor Ramos-Herbert praised Bernstein’s “extensive legal expertise, dedication to public service, and unwavering commitment to justice,” expressing confidence that she would uphold the court’s tradition of integrity and fairness.
There are three seats on the New Rochelle City Court with 10-year terms, one appointed by the Mayor and two elected positions.
Judge Matthew Costa resigned in October from his elected seat. Neither the City of New Rochelle, the New Rochelle City Court nor the New York State Unified Court System have responded to repeated request for details on the effective date of Costa’s resignation. Costa was elected so the timing of the vacancy is such that the interim appointment is made by the Mayor.
The deadline to submit application materials was Monday, November 4, 2024. There was no explanation for the delay in filling the vacancy.
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