He worked as a Senior Staff Attorney at the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Division in the Bronx from September 1990 to October 1993. Justice Mendez earned a J.D. from the Universidad Central Del Este School of law in the Dominican Republic.

Governor Announces Appointments to the Appellate Division, First Department

Manuel J. Mendez earned a law degree from the Universidad Central Del Este School of Law in the Dominican Republic.

Governor Announces Appointments to the Appellate Division, First ...

Manuel earned a law degree from the Universidad Central Del Este School of Law in the Dominican Republic.

Before his election to the Civil Court, Justice Mendez was engaged in the private practice of law as a solo practitioner (Law Office of Manuel J. Mendez), from 1999 through 2003, and as a partner in the firm of Kwasink & Mendez from 1993 through 1998.

Manuel previously worked as a solo practitioner at the Law Office of Manuel J. Mendez, as a partner at Kwasink & Mendez, and as a senior staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society Criminal Defense Division in the Bronx.

Manuel J. Mendez - Ballotpedia

Manuel J. Mendez is a judge for the 1st Department of the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division.

2026 New York General Election

Manuel Jacobo Mendez Olivero

Justice Mendez has been a Justice of the Supreme Court, New York State, since his election in 2012 and has been since 2018 the coordinating judge of the New York City Asbestos Litigation (NYCAL).

Cuomo appointed Supreme Court Justices Saliann Scarpulla, Manuel Jacobo Mendez Olivero, Martin Shulman and Tanya R. Kennedy to fill vacancies on the Appellate Division, First Department. The First Department covers Manhattan and the Bronx.

Prior to his election, Justice Mendez was elected Judge of the Civil Court, New York County in 2003, and had served as a Judge in the Civil Court from 2004 to January 2010.

He presided by Designation in Bronx Criminal Court from 2008 to January 2010, and as an Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Bronx County from January 2010 to January 2011, and then New York County until his election to Supreme Court in 2012.

Has served as a New York Supreme Court justice since 2012, overseeing civil and criminal trials and holding exclusive authority over divorces, annulments, and legal separations.

Was appointed to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department, where justices review trial-court rulings for legal or procedural errors.

Served as a New York City Civil Court judge from 2004 to January 2010, overseeing smaller civil claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and housing-code enforcement.

Presided in Bronx Criminal Court from 2008 to January 2010, overseeing misdemeanor cases, bail proceedings, and criminal hearings.

Worked as a partner at Kwasink & Mendez from 1993 through 1998, providing legal advice and representation to clients.

Served as an acting New York Supreme Court justice in Bronx and New York counties from 2010 until his 2012 election to the court.

Served as a senior staff attorney in the Legal Aid Society's Bronx criminal defense division from September 1990 to October 1993.

Practiced law as a solo practitioner at the Law Office of Manuel J. Mendez from 1999 through 2003.

- Has served as a New York Supreme Court justice since 2012, overseeing civil and criminal trials and holding exclusive authority over divorces, annulments, and legal separations.
- Was appointed to the New York Supreme Court Appellate Division, First Department, where justices review trial-court rulings for legal or procedural errors.
- Served as a New York City Civil Court judge from 2004 to January 2010, overseeing smaller civil claims, landlord-tenant disputes, and housing-code enforcement.
- Presided in Bronx Criminal Court from 2008 to January 2010, overseeing misdemeanor cases, bail proceedings, and criminal hearings.
- Worked as a partner at Kwasink & Mendez from 1993 through 1998, providing legal advice and representation to clients.
- Served as an acting New York Supreme Court justice in Bronx and New York counties from 2010 until his 2012 election to the court.
- Served as a senior staff attorney in the Legal Aid Society's Bronx criminal defense division from September 1990 to October 1993.
- Practiced law as a solo practitioner at the Law Office of Manuel J. Mendez from 1999 through 2003.

Legal Experience

As of September 9, 2026, Manuel J. Mendez did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Manuel J. Mendez

- Served as an acting New York Supreme Court justice in Bronx and New York counties from 2010 until his 2012 election to the court.
- Served as a senior staff attorney in the Legal Aid Society's Bronx criminal defense division from September 1990 to October 1993.
- Practiced law as a solo practitioner at the Law Office of Manuel J. Mendez from 1999 through 2003.

As of September 9, 2026, Manuel J. Mendez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Amy S. Taylor

Bob Cohen

Christopher Chin

Hasa A. Kingo

Jeffrey W. Rizzo

Joshua E. Goldfein

Kathleen Waterman-Marshall

Saliann Scarpulla

Shlomo S. Hagler

Sienna M. Fontaine

- 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. 