Justice Rosalyn Richter, or “Judge Roz” as I affectionately like to call her, has been a trailblazer throughout her career, and the magnitude of her contributions to the legal community cannot be overstated. As the first openly LGBTQ judge appointed to the Appellate Division, First Department, Judge Roz has been an ardent advocate for those in the LGBTQ community. However, her efforts have certainly extended beyond that community as she has also passionately advocated for other historically marginalized groups; she has particularly been an effective proponent in the areas of disability access and civil rights.

Before joining the appellate court, Judge Roz served as a trial judge for 19 years, overseeing criminal, civil, and family law cases, and she has published hundreds of decisions. Throughout her professional life, Judge Roz has focused on innovation in the law. She created a drug treatment court in the Bronx. She also created and co-chaired for decades the OCA Advisory Committee on Court Access for People with Disabilities.