NY Appellate Division, Second Department Presiding Justice Randall T. Eng Joins Meyer Suozzi

Media Source: New York Law Journal

Meyer Suozzi is pleased to announce that Justice Randall T. Eng has joined the firm as Of Counsel and a member of the Litigation Department, including the Appellate Practice and Criminal Defense groups. Justice Eng will also serve as referee, receiver and arbitrator within the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice.

Immediately prior to joining Meyer Suozzi, Justice Eng served as the Presiding Justice of the New York Appellate Division, Second Department - the busiest and largest Judicial Department in the State of New York, with jurisdiction over cases from Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester, handling over 9,000 appeals per year. As Presiding Justice, he was the highest ranking judge in the Second Department Appellate Division, in charge of all of its operations, as well as a sitting judge on appellate panels.

Kevin Schlosser, Chair of the firm’s Litigation & Dispute Resolution Department, observed: “Meyer Suozzi is proud to continue its unparalleled tradition of welcoming the highest caliber judges as they proceed to the next level of their legal careers.” Mr. Schlosser continued, “Justice Eng will undoubtedly provide unique and insightful counsel and advice to Meyer Suozzi’s clients and our team of lawyers, including in all manner of business affairs, litigation, appeals and dispute resolution.”

When asked why he chose to join Meyer Suozzi, Justice Eng stated that “I am eager to continue my legal career and Meyer Suozzi has a stellar reputation for legal excellence, which I have personally observed through the fine work of its litigators.” He continued, “after more than 30 years on the bench, I have a deep understanding of the systems and processes of the courts and believe that my experience will benefit Meyer Suozzi’s attorneys and its clients.”

The firm’s Managing Attorney, Patricia Galteri, said “Justice Eng has remarkable credentials, having amassed an impressive judicial career and other dedicated public service. He will be a tremendous asset to our firm, bringing his insights and litigation acumen to our clients.”

Born in Guangzhou, China, Justice Eng was raised in New York City. He earned his undergraduate degree from State University of New York at Buffalo and his juris doctor degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

Following law school, Justice Eng began his esteemed legal career in public service as an assistant district attorney in Queens County. At the time, he became the first Asian American appointed as an assistant prosecutor in New York State history, and served in this role from 1973-1980. He then served as the Deputy Inspector General of the New York City Correction Department from 1980 to 1981, and later became the Inspector General, a role in which he served from 1981 to 1983. In 1983, Justice Eng became the first Asian American to become a judge in New York State when he was appointed to the Criminal Court of the City of New York by Mayor Edward I. Koch. He sat in the Criminal Court until 1988 when he was designated an Acting Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. In 1990 and 2004, Justice Eng was elected and reelected to full 14-year terms on that bench.

In the course of his career in the Queens courts, he was appointed Administrative Judge of the Criminal Term of Queens County Supreme Court in 2007, and served in that role until 2008 when he was elevated to the Appellate Division, Second Department. In 2012, Governor Cuomo appointed Justice Eng to lead the Second Department, where he became the first Asian American to serve as Presiding Justice in New York State's history.

In addition to his prolific legal career, Justice Eng proudly served his country as a member of the New York Army National Guard from 1970 until 2004, when he retired as State Judge Advocate holding the rank of Colonel.

Justice Eng, a Manhasset resident, will practice in Meyer Suozzi’s Garden City, Long Island office.