Joseph F. Gagliardi Award
Hon. Joseph F. Gagliardi
The Westchester Bar Foundation established the Joseph F. Gagliardi Award for Excellence to be presented to outstanding employees of the court system in the Ninth Judicial District.
The award was established in memory of Justice Joseph F. Gagliardi and to recognize the performance of outstanding non-judicial employees of the Unified Court System. Judge Gagliardi served as the Administrative Judge for the Ninth District from 1974- 1987. During his term the state constitution was amended to create a new centralized statewide court administration. Because of his history of striving for excellence, it is appropriate that this award that is bestowed on very worthy individuals is named the Joseph F. Gagliardi Award for Excellence.
A list of the past winners of this prestigious award follows:
2023
Diane Clerkin, Chief Court Attorney 9th JD
Richard Kiggins, Senior Court Clerk, Dutchess Supreme & County Court
Program
2022
Sheronica McClamb, Court Assistant, Yonkers City Court
Anna Kosoyvch, Chief Clerk of Rockland County Family Court
Program
2021
Lynn McKelvey, Chief Clerk of Orange Supreme and County Courts
Melissa Benjamin, Principal Law Clerk to Hon. James A. McCarty
2020
Valerie Buzzell, Principal LAN Administrator, Ninth Judicial District
Sara Beaty, Principal Law Clerk to Hon. Thomas P. Zugibe, J.S.C.
2019
Sgt. Joseph Beck, Court Officer
Renee Motola, Esq.
2018
Carol Swidler, Esq.
Ray Mechmann, Esq.
2017
Albert Degatano, Esq.
Denise Helms, Court Assistant
Renee McAllister, Associate Court Clerk
2016
Yvette Cumberbatch, Senior Court Clerk
Jude Badaracco, Senior Court Clerk
Susan Newman Loehr, Commossioner of Jurors
2015
Timothy Neggie, Senior Court Clerk
Alden Smith, Esq.
2014
Mary Haran, Associate Court Clerk
Gretchen Walsh, Esq.
2013
Carole Slattery, Senior Court Clerk
Josephine Trovini, Esq.
2012
Court Officers:
Karen M. Buddenhagen
Robert W. Kowal
Michael D. Mathisen
Scott C. Truex
Michele E. Lynch
2011
Kathleen Ryan, Senior Court Clerk
Marisa Garcia, Chief Clerk
2010
Maureen Detone, Principal Court Analyst
Robert Fritz, Associate Court Clerk
2009
Carolyn Carpenito, Senior Court Clerk
Diane T. Murchinson, Resource Coordinator
2008
Jane Harrington, Esq.
Edward J. Edmead, Senior Court Clerk
2007
Diane C. O’Donnell, Court Office Assistant
Robert Arena, Sr. Court Clerk
2006
Gary L. Casella, Esq.
Janice A. Leitner, Management Analyst
2005
James Garfien, Esq.
Joan S. Posner, Esq.
2004
Susan L. Pollet, Esq.
Victoria Kane, Deputy Chief Clerk
2003
Joseph Accetta, Esq.
Paula Papastrat, Secretary
2002
John M. Sulich, Senior Court Clerk
John B. Cameron, Esq.
2001
Irene Ratner, Esq.
Jack E. Schachner, Esq.
2000
Lawrence Darden, Jr. Chief Clerk
Brett Peter Linn, Esq.
1999
Karen O’Connor, Chief Clerk
James G. Fine, Esq.
1998
Charles Devlin, Esq.
Peter Nero, Senior Court Officer
1997
Sandra Alvarez, Principal Office Assistant
Mary D’Alessio, Chief Clerk
1996
Virginia M. Dachenhausen, Associate Court Clerk
Richard Farina, Esq.
1995
Nancy Mangold, Chief Clerk
1994
Fred Shapiro, Esq.
Virginia Athens, Chief Clerk