New York Law School (NYLS) is proud to congratulate Hon. Frances Ortiz ’97 and Hon. L. Austin D’Souza ’11 on their appointments as supervising judges within the New York City court system. Judge Ortiz now serves as Supervising Judge for the New York County Housing Court, and Judge D’Souza as Supervising Judge for the Manhattan Civil Court.
“I am truly grateful and honored to have the opportunity to serve as the Supervising Judge of the New York County Housing Court, a court that I have dedicated nearly three decades of my professional career to. I am excited to work alongside all the dedicated court personnel, including judges, court attorneys, clerks, and court officers, as we strive together to uphold the mission of the Unified Court System: providing equitable and fair justice for everyone who appears before our court,” said Judge Ortiz.
“I am delighted to lead an amazing team of judges and staff, whose work I deeply admire,” said Judge D’Souza. “Together we will work to meet the high standards that our court administrators set to best serve the people of our great city and state.”
Judges Ortiz and D’Souza are among several NYLS alumni commemorated in the School’s Hall of Judges, a tribute to the hundreds of NYLS graduates who have served at all levels of the judiciary. In November 2024, the School paid tribute to the alumni appointed to judicial positions over the last two years and unveiled their portraits as they joined the Hall of Judges.
View photos from the 2024 Hall of Judges Ceremony and Reception.