Fund for Modern Courts backs Mamdani’s judicial committee move

The Fund for Modern Courts praised Mayor Zohran Mamdani for constituting the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary, clearing the way for New York City to resume vetting judges for its trial courts. The group says the step is important for filling vacancies with qualified judges and keeping the city’s courts functioning.

Why it matters: - The Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary is a key part of New York City’s judicial selection process. - The committee’s work helps fill vacancies in the Family Court, Criminal Court and Civil Court. - Filling those seats affects access to the courts and the quality of judicial service for New Yorkers.

What happened: - The Fund for Modern Courts commended Mayor Zohran Mamdani for constituting the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary on July 23, 2026. - The committee can now move forward with evaluating candidates for appointment to New York City trial courts. - Abbe R. Gluck, chair of the Fund for Modern Courts, called the move an important milestone in resuming work to fill vacancies across the city court system.

The details: - The committee evaluates candidates for the Family Court, Criminal Court and Civil Court. - The Fund for Modern Courts said the process can now advance to help fill current and future vacancies with judges of the highest caliber. - Gluck said a thoughtful and timely selection process is essential to appointing judges who serve New Yorkers with integrity and independence. - Gluck also said filling existing vacancies is critical to ensuring that all New Yorkers have access to the courts. - The Fund for Modern Courts said it has advocated for nearly 70 years for an independent, merit-based judicial selection process. - The organization said it supports judicial selection systems that are rigorous, transparent and designed to identify highly qualified candidates from across the legal profession.

Between the lines: - The endorsement signals support for a merit-focused judicial pipeline at a time when court vacancies remain a practical issue for New York City. - The statement also reinforces a broader argument that judicial selection is not just an internal process, but a public access issue.

What’s next: - With the advisory committee constituted, the city can continue the judge-selection process for current openings and future vacancies. - The next step is for the committee to assess candidates for the trial courts.

The bottom line: - The Fund for Modern Courts says the committee’s formation puts New York City back on track to appoint qualified judges and keep the courts functioning smoothly.