RIVERHEAD – The first $75-an-hour voucher approved by a trial judge in Suffolk County for an 18-B defender became the first last week to pass muster with the county administrative judge, Justice Alan D. Oshrin. As a result, Robert D. Gallo, a Ronkonkoma attorney who successfully defended a mother against shaken-baby charges brought in both criminal and family courts, will be paid $14,527 for handling the complicated, two-year-long case.
Mr. Gallo’s voucher was first approved in October by Family Court Judge Nicholette Pach, whose decision in AA v. MA, N-845-00 through N-852-00, included high praise for his “comprehensive, high-quality legal representation” and sharp criticism of the State Legislature for failing to raise the 18-B rates since 1986. (The decision will be published in Friday’s Law Journal.)
