LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending The Honorable Debra J. Kiedaisch upon
the occasion of her retirement after 20 years of distinguished service
as Orange County Family Court Judge

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and honor
the significant milestones in the distinguished careers of esteemed
individuals whose lives have been committed to the pursuit of excellence
and who bring great pride to the citizens of our great State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
The Honorable Debra J. Kiedaisch upon the occasion of her retirement
after 20 years of distinguished service as Orange County Family Court
Judge, to be celebrated at a Retirement Party held in her honor on Tues-
day, December 1, 2015, at Villa Venezia, Middletown, New York; and
WHEREAS, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch earned her bachelor's degree cum
laude from Hofstra University in 1973; she then obtained her Juris
Doctor cum laude from New York Law School in 1982; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch was admitted to the New
York State Bar, and one year later, she was admitted to United States
District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1977, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch began her illus-
trious legal career, holding the position of Associate Attorney-Parale-
gal at Berney & Zweben, Esqs.; she worked in divorce and personal injury
litigation until August of 1983; and
WHEREAS, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch was then employed with Debra E.
Jenkins, Esq. from September of 1983 to September of 1985; for two
years, she worked as a Solo Practitioner, practicing both general and
family law; and
WHEREAS, In June of 1985, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch was elected to
the position of Justice of the Village of Poquott, New York, a position
she held until June of 1987; and
WHEREAS, From October of 1985 to September of 1986, Justice Debra J.
Kiedaisch held the title of Associate Attorney at Sussman & Gottlieb,
Esqs.; and
WHEREAS, After leaving Sussman & Gottlieb, Esqs., Justice Debra J.
Kiedaisch went on to hold the esteemed position of Partner of Jenkins-
Kiedaisch & Kiedaisch, Esqs., formerly known as Lambiase, Jenkins-Kie-
daisch & Kiedasich, and Bernstein & Kiedaisch, from October of 1986 to
1995; throughout the years, she focused on family law, specializing in
divorce and real estate issues; and
WHEREAS, From June of 1987 until 1995, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch was
the Legal Counsel for the Village of Greenwood Lake Zoning Board of
Appeals (ZBA); in this capacity, she attended and advised the ZBA during
hearings, assisted in training new board members, and represented the
organization in Article 78 proceedings; and
WHEREAS, Moreover, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch acted as the Legal Coun-
sel for the Village of Greenwood Lake Planning Board from June of 1991
to 1994; she attended and advised the Planning Board at meetings, and
drafted proposed zoning ordinances; and
WHEREAS, In January of 1996, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch was elected to
the revered title of Orange County Family Court Judge, a position she
held for two decades until her retirement in 2015; and
WHEREAS, In addition to her role as Family Court Judge, Justice Debra
J. Kiedaisch has held the title of Acting Supreme Court Justice, Ninth
Judicial District for 15 years, and has been the Presiding Judge for
Integrated Domestic Violence Court since 2004; and

WHEREAS, Throughout the years, this exceptional woman was a vital
member of numerous organizations including the New York State Unified
Court System, the Family Violence Task Force, and the Orange County
Continuing Legal Education Committee; and
WHEREAS, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch has always enjoyed sharing her
extensive knowledge; in December of 1998, she was the instructor at the
Office of Administration Training Program for Domestic Violence for
newly elected Judges in New York State; she also taught several courses
at Orange Community College including Civil Procedure, American Juris-
prudence, and Estates and Trusts, and Law for the Layperson, as well as
Assertiveness Training; and
WHEREAS, An advocate for domestic violence victims, Justice Debra J.
Kiedaisch lectured on Domestic Law and Violence for organizations such
as Orange County Safe Homes Project, Inc., Long Island Women's Coali-
tion, and Long Island Jewish Hospital Spousal Abuse Program, as well as
Parents Without Partners; and
WHEREAS, From 1978-1982, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch held the position
of Assistant Producer of "Nite Talk", The Lonn Berney Show, WOR Radio,
and was the Assistant Editor of the LITIGATION LETTER from 1977-1983;
and
WHEREAS, This remarkable woman has also held numerous leadership posi-
tions in various organizations such as Vice President of both the Mid-
Hudson Chapter of Women in Management and the League of Women Voters
Orange County South, and was an Officer of the Suffolk County Academy of
Law from 1986-1987; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to her profession, Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch was
the Director of the Orange County Bar Association from 1994-1998, and
held the title of Co-Editor of ORANGE COUNTY LAW, the Orange County Bar
Association Newsletter from 1989-1995; and
WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the occurrence of such a compassionate blend-
ing of strength, leadership, intellect, and commitment as that demon-
strated by Justice Debra J. Kiedaisch over a lifetime of sacrifice and
dedication to others; and
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body that when public
servants of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of the great State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize and commend The Honorable Debra J. Kiedaisch upon the occasion
of her retirement, and to wish her continued success in all her future
endeavors; and be it further
.SO DOC S R3151 RESO TEXT 2015
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Debra J. Kiedaisch.