Bronx Democratic Party Applauds the Historic Appoint ment of Three Bronx Judges to the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court

Three Bronx judges were simultaneously appointed to the appellate division of the Supreme Court in a first for New York State

The Bronx Democratic Party applauded the appointment of three Bronx Supreme Court Justices Julio Rodriguez, Bahaati Pitt, and John Higgitt to fill vacancies on the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court in the First Department of New York State yesterday. The First Department covers Manhattan and The Bronx. This marks the first time that three Bronx judges have been nominated to the Appellate Division simultaneously.

“We are proud to congratulate Justices Julio Rodriguez, Bahaati Pitt, and John Higgitt on their historic appointment,” said Chair Jamaal T. Bailey. “They are committed public servants with a record of service and dedication to The Bronx and New York State. These appointments reflect the broad diversity of background, experience, and legal ability our great borough has to offer and will contribute to a more representative judiciary. They are talented and highly qualified jurists who will make The Bronx proud as they make history in these new roles.”

Honorable Julio Rodriguez

Julio Rodriguez is a Judge of the New York State Supreme Court in the Twelfth Judicial District when he ran for election in 2018. Prior to his service on the bench, he was a Judge of the New York City Civil Court in New York when he was appointed to this position by May Michael Bloomberg in 2013. Judge Rodriguez also served in New York City's Criminal Court. His legal career expands to his employment in the New York County District Attorney's office. Judge Rodriguez also held executive positions with the New York City Department of Investigation and the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. He received his B.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and his J.D. from Temple School of Law.

 

Honorable Bahaati Pitt

Bahaati Pitt is a Judge for the Criminal Court of the City of New York in Bronx County. Prior to her appointment on the bench, Judge Pitt served as a principal law clerk in the Civil Division of the Bronx County Supreme Court. She also served as a court attorney for the Bronx Family Court and the Bronx Civil Court. Judge Pitt worked as an attorney with the Criminal Defense Division of the Legal Aid Society. Judge Pitt earned her B.A. from Morgan State University and her J.D. at the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School. 

 

Honorable John Higgitt

John Higgitt is an Acting Justice of the Bronx County Supreme Court, Civil Term in the Twelfth Judicial District of New York. Justice Higgitt was elevated to the Supreme Court bench in 2018 by the Honorable Lawrence Marks, Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York, and then to the Court of Claims by Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. Prior to joining the bench, Justice Higgitt's legal career has been with the New York State Unified Court System since 2002. He served one year as an appellate attorney for the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department, and then became principal law clerk to the Honorable Joan B. Carey, Justice of the New York County Supreme Court and Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the courts of New York City. In 2005, Justice Higgitt returned to the New York State Supreme Court Appellate Division as principal law clerk for Honorable James M. McGuire, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department. In 2009, he was appointed to Honorable Douglas E. McKeon's chambers in Bronx County Supreme Court as a court referee. He remained in this capacity until his appointment to the New York State Court of Claims. Justice Higgitt graduated with his B.A. in Sociology from the State University of New York College at Cortland and his J.D. from Albany Law School.