Tejash: How long have you been a member of the WCBA?

Judge Rodriguez: Approximately three years. I was proud to be part of the Wellness Task Force in the Fall of 2022.

Tejash: Congratulations on becoming named Cortlandt Town Justic earlier this year. Can you talk about your path to becoming a judge?

Judge Rodriguez: Thank you! It was a wonderful and humble moment when I learned I was chosen to fill the vacancy on the Cortlandt Town Court. As for my journey, I obtained my B.A. in Journalism from SUNY-New Platz and my law degree from Pace University School of Law (its name back then). I worked full time during the day while attending law school at night. I dedicated my career to public service working at the New York City Corporation Counsel’s Office while in law school and at the New York County District Attorney’s Office for five years and the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office (WCDAO) for 23 years until I was appointed to the bench. I had different assignments at the WCDAO, including 15 years in the Investigations Division, and six years in the local court branches where I trained and mentored new Assistant District Attorneys.

Tejash: Can you share a memorable case that you worked on at the DA’s Office?

Judge Rodriguez: There are so many it is hard to pick just one! But the case I am the most proud of was an investigation of a Greenburgh couple that were victims of a violent home invasion. One of the stolen items was a laptop. The victim’s son, an IT specialist, had installed a remote access program to the laptop before it was stolen. Using the remote access program, we obtained photos from the laptop of two men, one who was later identified as a perpetrator of the crime. We also obtained the IP address of where the stolen laptop was being used. That IP address led us to an apartment building in the Bronx. We successfully obtained an indictment charging him with robbery in the first degree and various other crimes and he ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced to a state prison sentence of eight years. The victims were extremely happy with the result.

Tejash: 2025 is an exciting year for you. You were just elected President of the Hudson Valley Hispanic Bar Association. Can you share some of your initiatives and potential partnerships with the WCBA?

Judge Rodriguez: Yes, I am grateful for all my blessings this year! The HVHBA has enjoyed a great working relationship with the WCBA for several years. I want to keep that going with collaborative CLEs, mentoring and networking events, and other initiatives. The HVHBA and the WCBA are planning a “Meet the Judges” event honoring Latinx Judges during Hispanic Heritage Month. There are more plans that are too early to share. I want the HVHBA membership to continue growing and I want to expand the law student mentorship program.

Tejash: Who were some of your mentors?

Judge Rodriguez: Since I am a first-generation college and lawyer in my family, I had to seek mentors wherever I went. I have been blessed with many along the way, but some are Alice Velasquez, formerly the Director of Community Affairs at the Bronx DA’s Office; Hon. Dora Irrizary, Senior Associate Justice of the Eastern District of New York; Hon. Walter Rivera, former Court of Claims Judge and recently appointed to the Supreme Court, Westchester County; and Hon. Maria Vasquez-Doles, Supreme Court Justice, Orange County.

Tejash: What might people be surprised to learn about you? 

Judge Rodriguez: Many will be surprised to hear that I did not learn to drive until my late thirties. I obtained my driver’s license the week before my daughter’s first birthday. She will be twenty-two this fall.

Tejash: What is one of your guilty pleasures?

Judge Rodriguez: I love listening to music in the car and singing loudly and badly! My top two genres are salsa and eighties freestyle music.

Tejash: When is the last time you were outside of your comfort zone? 

Judge Rodriguez: The first day that I had a landlord tenant calendar as a new Judge. I have no prior experience in this area of law, so I was nervous. I read each of the petitions several times, did legal research, and consulted with the Resource Center. I am getting more comfortable now with these cases, but I am still learning.

Tejash: What is one of your future ambitions (personal or professional)?

Judge Rodriguez: Professionally, I would like to teach law students. I enjoyed mentoring young ADAs and I would love to teach and mentor law students on a more formal basis. I would enjoy teaching evidence, constitutional law, and/or trial advocacy. Personally, I look forward to travelling more with my husband. We hope to take a cruise around the world.

Tejash: Is there a particular experience or training that helped build your skill set as an attorney or judge?

Judge Rodriguez: I think that being an editor at a publishing company after college helped me be a concise writer in both law school and while practicing law.

Tejash: Can you talk about the importance of Bar membership?

Judge Rodriguez: I think bar membership is essential for both law students and young lawyers because it offers opportunities to meet people and learn at the same time. The mentorship opportunities are amazing; the networking events are fantastic and the opportunities to meet leaders in various legal specialties are priceless. I have helped many of my own mentees obtain internships or first jobs with the friendships I have made at the various bar associations I have belong to throughout my career.

Tejash: What advice would you give to your younger self or new lawyers? 

Judge Rodriguez: Do not be afraid to apply for any job that may interest you even if you think you are not qualified. You never know whether you have exactly what that employer may be looking for. Also, remember that you must give yourself time to relax and re-energize yourself.

Tejash: Wellness is an important issue for all members. The WCBA’s Task Force on Well-Being issued a report with its recommendations. How do you manage your physical and/or mental health? 

Judge Rodriguez: I was one of the co-authors of the report issued by the WCBA’s Task Force on Well-Being! I like to walk but do not do it enough, so I hope to change that. As for my mental health, I like to read, listen to music, and spend time with my family.