Hon. Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was born in East Harlem and raised in downtown Manhattan in a family committed to civil and community service. A proud graduate of Adelphi University, where she obtained a B.A. in the Honors Program in Liberal Studies on scholarship, and a proud graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, she is the first of her family to achieve college and post-graduate degrees.

Biography of Justice Kathleen Waterman-Marshall | New York Courts

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was born in East Harlem and raised in downtown Manhattan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Adelphi University and a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Kathleen was born in East Harlem and raised in downtown Manhattan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Adelphi University and a law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Justice Waterman-Marshall also teaches legal writing at the law school level – she has been an Adjunct Professor of Law in the Legal Writing Department of Cardozo Law School since 2016, introducing first-year and international LLM law students to the ethical practice of law. She is passionate about mentorship and has worked with interns from law school, college, and high school every year since taking the bench.

In 2010, Justice WatermanMarshall transitioned from the private to the public sector, taking a position in a non-profit law firm that represented children in high conflict custody and neglect proceedings. She returned briefly to private practice before taking a position as the Principal Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron in 2014.

Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Waterman-Marshall was a trial attorney for twenty years, handling a diverse range of civil matters involving issues important to everyday New Yorkers, in the New York State and Federal trial and appellate courts. After honing her litigation skills as an associate attorney with New York City law firms, she opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall currently teaches legal writing as an adjunct professor of law at Cardozo Law School. She previously served as principal law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron, worked in private practice and at a nonprofit law firm, and was a trial attorney.

Kathleen currently teaches legal writing as an adjunct professor of law at Cardozo Law School. She previously served as principal law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron, worked in private practice and at a nonprofit law firm, and was a trial attorney.

Justice Waterman-Marshal began her judicial career in January 2019, upon her election to the NYC Civil Court. Her first assignment was as an Acting Family Court Judge in Kings County Family Court, where she presided over high-conflict custody, family offense, child protective, and juvenile justice matters throughout the height of the pandemic.

Kathleen was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2019.

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2019.

2026 New York General Election

Justice Waterman-Marshal began her judicial career in January 2019, upon her election to the NYC Civil Court. Her first assignment was as an Acting Family Court Judge in Kings County Family Court, where she presided over high-conflict custody, family offense, child protective, and juvenile justice matters throughout the height of the pandemic. In December 2021, Justice Waterman-Marshall was appointed to Supreme Court Justice status in New York County.

Served as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil matters in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals after working as an associate attorney at New York City law firms.

Worked at a nonprofit law firm representing children in high-conflict custody and neglect proceedings beginning in 2010.

Served as Principal Law Clerk to New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.

Began her judicial career on the New York City Civil Court after her 2019 election.

Served as an Acting Family Court Judge in Kings County, presiding over custody, family-offense, child-protection, and juvenile-justice matters.

Was appointed as a New York Supreme Court justice in New York County in December 2021.

- Served as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil matters in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.
- Opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals after working as an associate attorney at New York City law firms.
- Worked at a nonprofit law firm representing children in high-conflict custody and neglect proceedings beginning in 2010.
- Served as Principal Law Clerk to New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.
- Began her judicial career on the New York City Civil Court after her 2019 election.
- Served as an Acting Family Court Judge in Kings County, presiding over custody, family-offense, child-protection, and juvenile-justice matters.
- Was appointed as a New York Supreme Court justice in New York County in December 2021.

Legal Experience

As of September 9, 2026, Kathleen Waterman-Marshall did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Justice Waterman-Marshall is committed to improving the courts and legal profession, and is an active member of several bar associations at the State and local levels. She works on committees and task forces to create and implement efficient rules of practice, to advance racial equity in the Courts and to provide broader access to justice by use of current technologies. She regularly participates on bar association and community panels and presents on substantive issues, trial practice, and the use of ADR.

Works on committees and task forces to develop efficient court-practice rules, advance racial equity in the courts, and broaden access to justice through technology.

- Works on committees and task forces to develop efficient court-practice rules, advance racial equity in the courts, and broaden access to justice through technology.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

As a jurist dedicated to promoting access to legal education and encouraging young people to pursue careers in the law, Justice Waterman-Marshall created “LIT: Lawyers In Training Program,” a free six-to-ten-week basic law course offered to NYC high school students as an introduction to legal thinking, writing and lawyering skills. She teaches the program in the summers, on a volunteer basis, in association with community organizations.

Teaches the volunteer LIT: Lawyers In Training Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students.

- Teaches the volunteer LIT: Lawyers In Training Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students.

Community Involvement

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Kathleen Waterman-Marshall

As of September 9, 2026, Kathleen Waterman-Marshall’s website did not contain information on this issue.

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Judge Waterman-Marshall is a New York State trial court judge who joined the bench as an experienced civil litigator. She practiced in the New York State and Federal trial and appellate courts for close to sixteen years (from 1999-2014), before taking a position as the Principal Law Clerk to Justice Arthur Engoron, with whom she worked until her election to the New York City Civil Court bench in November 2018.

2024.05.16 NYACP Judge Waterman Marshall

Justice Waterman-Marshall was the first judge to interpret and apply an amendment to the Domestic Relations Law that now requires the court to consider domestic violence in the distribution of marital assets, thus redressing upon a divorce the real harms of emotional and physical abuse and financial coercive control that occurred during the marriage ( see  Alton L. Abramowitz and Leigh Baseheart Kahn, New York Law Journal, September 20, 2024;  Timothy M. Tippins, New York Law Journal, January 4, 2024, Expert Analysis; 11 N.Y.Prac., New York Law of Domestic Relations § 14:75).

Justice Waterman-Marshall is committed to improving the courts and legal profession, and is an active member of several bar associations at the State and local levels. She works on committees and task forces to create and implement efficient rules of practice, to advance racial equity in the Courts and to provide broader access to justice by use of current technologies.

Manages contested divorce and civil-case inventory using her experience as a litigator and Family Court judge.

Teaches in the LIT (Lawyers in Training) Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students, on a volunteer basis.

- Teaches in the LIT (Lawyers in Training) Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students, on a volunteer basis.

Hon. Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was born in East Harlem and raised in downtown Manhattan in a family committed to civil and community service.

A proud graduate of Adelphi University, where she obtained a B.A. in the Honors Program in Liberal Studies on scholarship, and a proud graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, she is the first of her family to achieve college and post-graduate degrees.

She teaches the program in the summers, on a volunteer basis, in association with community organizations.

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was born in East Harlem and raised in downtown Manhattan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Adelphi University and graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. She teaches a summer program on a volunteer basis in association with community organizations.

Justice Waterman-Marshall also teaches legal writing at the law school level – she has been an Adjunct Professor of Law in the Legal Writing Department of Cardozo Law School since 2016, introducing first-year and international LLM law students to the ethical practice of law.

She returned briefly to private practice before taking a position as the Principal Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron in 2014.

In 2010, Justice WatermanMarshall transitioned from the private to the public sector, taking a position in a non-profit law firm that represented children in high conflict custody and neglect proceedings.

Prior to becoming a judge, Justice Waterman-Marshall was a trial attorney for twenty years, handling a diverse range of civil matters involving issues important to everyday New Yorkers, in the New York State and Federal trial and appellate courts.

After honing her litigation skills as an associate attorney with New York City law firms, she opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall teaches legal writing as an adjunct professor of law in the Legal Writing Department at Cardozo Law School. She previously worked as principal law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron and at a nonprofit law firm representing children in custody and neglect proceedings. She was also a trial attorney, an associate attorney with New York City law firms, and the owner of a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.

Justice Waterman-Marshal began her judicial career in January 2019, upon her election to the NYC Civil Court.

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2019 and began her judicial career in January 2019.

Served as a New York City Civil Court judge after being elected in 2019.

Served as principal law clerk to New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.

Represented children at a nonprofit law firm in high-conflict custody and neglect proceedings beginning in 2010.

Opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.

Worked as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil matters in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.

- Served as a New York City Civil Court judge after being elected in 2019.
- Served as principal law clerk to New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.
- Represented children at a nonprofit law firm in high-conflict custody and neglect proceedings beginning in 2010.
- Opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.
- Worked as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil matters in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Justice Waterman-Marshall was the first judge to interpret and apply an amendment to the Domestic Relations Law that now requires the court to consider domestic violence in the distribution of marital assets, thus redressing upon a divorce the real harms of emotional and physical abuse and financial coercive control that occurred during the marriage ( see Alton L. Abramowitz and Leigh Baseheart Kahn, New York Law Journal, September 20, 2024; Timothy M. Tippins, New York Law Journal, January 4, 2024, Expert Analysis; 11 N.Y.Prac., New York Law of Domestic Relations § 14:75).

Interpreted and applied a Domestic Relations Law amendment requiring courts to consider domestic violence when dividing marital assets.

- Interpreted and applied a Domestic Relations Law amendment requiring courts to consider domestic violence when dividing marital assets.

Works to implement efficient court rules, advance racial equity in the courts, and expand access to justice through technology.

- Works to implement efficient court rules, advance racial equity in the courts, and expand access to justice through technology.

As a jurist dedicated to promoting access to legal education and encouraging young people to pursue careers in the law, Justice Waterman-Marshall created “LIT: Lawyers In Training Program,” a free six-to-ten-week basic law course offered to NYC high school students as an introduction to legal thinking, writing and lawyering skills.

Created and teaches the LIT: Lawyers In Training Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students, on a volunteer basis.

- Created and teaches the LIT: Lawyers In Training Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students, on a volunteer basis.

Kathleen currently teaches legal writing as an adjunct professor of law at Cardozo Law School's Legal Writing Department. She previously served as principal law clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron and worked at a nonprofit law firm. She also worked as a trial attorney, including as an associate attorney with New York City law firms, and operated a women-owned law office.

In December 2021, Justice Waterman-Marshall was appointed to Supreme Court Justice status in New York County.

Kathleen was appointed to Supreme Court Justice status in New York County in December 2021. She was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2019.

Was appointed to Supreme Court Justice status in New York County in December 2021.

Worked as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil cases in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.

Worked at a nonprofit law firm that represented children in high-conflict custody and neglect proceedings.

Began serving as a New York City Civil Court judge after being elected in January 2019.

Served as an acting Family Court judge in Kings County, presiding over high-conflict custody, family offense, child protective, and juvenile justice cases.

- Worked as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil cases in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.
- Opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals after working as an associate attorney at New York City law firms.
- Worked at a nonprofit law firm that represented children in high-conflict custody and neglect proceedings.
- Served as Principal Law Clerk to New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.
- Began serving as a New York City Civil Court judge after being elected in January 2019.
- Served as an acting Family Court judge in Kings County, presiding over high-conflict custody, family offense, child protective, and juvenile justice cases.

She works on committees and task forces to create and implement efficient rules of practice, to advance racial equity in the Courts and to provide broader access to justice by use of current technologies.

Works on court committees and task forces focused on developing efficient practice rules, advancing racial equity, and enabling access to justice through technology.

- Works on court committees and task forces focused on developing efficient practice rules, advancing racial equity, and enabling access to justice through technology.

Created LIT: Lawyers In Training and volunteers to teach the free summer law course for New York City high school students.

- Created LIT: Lawyers In Training and volunteers to teach the free summer law course for New York City high school students.

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall was born in East Harlem and raised in downtown Manhattan. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in liberal studies from Adelphi University and graduated from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

Kathleen served as Principal Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron. She previously worked at a nonprofit law firm representing children in custody and neglect proceedings, practiced as a trial attorney, and opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.

Kathleen was appointed a New York County Supreme Court justice in 2021. She was elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2019.

Worked at a nonprofit law firm representing children in contested custody and neglect proceedings.

Served as Principal Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.

Was elected to New York City Civil Court in January 2019.

Was appointed a New York County Supreme Court justice in December 2021.

- Worked as a trial attorney for 20 years, handling civil matters in New York state and federal trial and appellate courts.
- Opened a women-owned law office representing small businesses and individuals.
- Worked at a nonprofit law firm representing children in contested custody and neglect proceedings.
- Served as Principal Law Clerk to Supreme Court Justice Arthur F. Engoron beginning in 2014.
- Was elected to New York City Civil Court in January 2019.
- Was appointed a New York County Supreme Court justice in December 2021.

Teaches in the volunteer Lawyers In Training Program, a free summer law course for New York City high school students.

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- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 