Part of New York’s court system paused midday Wednesday to recognize the people who keep the state’s justice system running behind the scenes: Court clerks.
“You are essential to our mission: the delivery of fair, just and timely operations of justice in our courthouses,” Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina Richardson said to the over 100 court clerks gathered in Manhattan Supreme Court’s lobby. “That can’t happen without each and every single one of you.”
Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson at a celebration of Court Clerk Appreciation Day at 60 Centre Street on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Photo by David Handschuh/OCA
Court clerks ensure courtrooms run smoothly by managing case schedules, processing judge orders and attorney filings, maintaining records and answering legal questions – both from attorneys and members of the public caught up in court proceedings who aren’t sure what to do or what something means.
Court Clerks stand and receive applause at a celebration of Court Clerk Appreciation Day at 60 Centre Street on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.
“You are at the center of all court operations,” Richardson said. “You keep our work in rhythm as we pursue our mission of delivering equal justice under the law. Thank you for your work. I see you. I appreciate you deeply.”
(L-R) Tamara Kersh, Chief Clerk, Queens Supreme Civil Term, Tanya Faye, Chief Clerk, NYC Civil Court, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson, Peter A. Sorrento, Chief Clerk New York County Supreme Court – Civil Term, Milton A. Tingling, New York County Clerk, Commissioner of Jurors, Executive Director Justin A. Barry and Michael F. Greico, President, New York State Court Clerks Association at a celebration of Court Clerk Appreciation Day at 60 Centre Street on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.Photo by David Handschuh/OCA
This is one of the first years the state’s court system has formally taken time to recognize the work of court clerks, proclaiming the month of May Court Clerk Appreciation Month and May 20 Court Clerk Appreciation Day.
Petter A. Sorrento, Chief Clerk of New York County Supreme Civil Court delivers remarks.Isabella Gallo
The recognition meant a lot to the clerks attending Wednesday’s event. Longtime clerk and president of the New York State Court Clerks Association Michael Greico held back tears as Justin Barry, executive director of the state’s Office of Court Administration, presented him with a proclamation enshrining the May celebrations from Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas.
“I want to thank the Office of Court Administration for making this day possible, ” Grecio said. “We keep justice moving behind the scenes … Court clerks are not simply part of the system, we are essential to it.”
(L-R) Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina G. Richardson, Tamara Kersh, Chief Clerk, Queens Supreme Civil Term, Tanya Faye, Chief Clerk, NYC Civil Court, Michael F. Greico, President, New York State Court Clerks Association, Executive Director Justin A. Barry, Milton A. Tingling, New York County Clerk, Commissioner of Jurors, and Peter A. Sorrento, Chief Clerk New York County Supreme Court – Civil Term at a celebration of Court Clerk Appreciation Day at 60 Centre Street on Wednesday, May 20, 2026.Photo by David Handschuh/OCA
Manhattan County Clerk and former Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling highlighted the vast amount of legal knowledge court clerks have, calling them the “forefront” of the court system in their role addressing people’s concerns and questions before and after legal proceedings.
Tingling delivers remarks in appreciation of court clerks.
“You represent what is supposed to be good about the system,” Tingling said. “You represent what people are looking for when they come to the [court], and that is an awesome responsibility.”
“Without you,” he said, “The court system does not work.”
Over 100 people gathered in Manhattan Supreme Court to celebrate court clerks.
Clerks said helping people who come in with questions is what they see as the most important part of their job. New York Civil Court Chief Clerk Tanya Faye said she’s passionate about guiding people through the system because her own family was caught in a proceeding that resulted in their eviction as a child, something she didn’t fully grasp until she began working in the courts herself.
Faye delivers remarks at Court Clerk Appreciation Day.
“I realized that there’s a whole lot of people like my mother who don’t know anything about the court system,” Faye said. “I decided I was going to become a court clerk and I was going to help people to the best of my capacity.”
“It’s up to us to ensure that we encourage others to make a difference. I think it is important to treat people with respect,” she continued. “We make a difference.”