Knipel takes bench as administrative judge for civil matters
Chief Administrative Judge A. Gail Prudenti announced Friday that Kings County Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Knipel has been appointed as the new administrative judge for civil matters, Kings County.
The post became vacant when Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix, former Administrative Judge, was appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department in October 2012. Justice Barry Kamins, presently the Administrative Judge for Criminal Matters, Second Department, temporarily filled the vacancy left by Hinds-Radix until a permanent appointment was made.
In announcing the appointments, Judge Prudenti said, “These are extraordinarily challenging times for the court system, and we are most fortunate to have … candidates with outstanding credentials to fill these critical positions. In assuming their new leadership responsibilities, they will play an integral part in Chief Judge Lippman’s and my efforts to seek novel ways to improve trial court operations and enhance the administration of justice as we continue to navigate a very difficult fiscal landscape. I am so pleased that they have agreed to take on these key assignments and look forward to working with them in their new roles.”
Knipel has served on the Kings County Supreme Court bench since 1998. Previously, he sat on the New York City Civil Court bench (1991 to 1997), initially serving the state court system as a law clerk, first in New York City Civil Court and then in Kings County Supreme Court. Prior to joining the court system, he was an associate in the law firm of Vanginkei and Benjamin. He is a graduate of New York University School of Law.