Hon. Lenora Gerald James '86SVC, '89L received the Alumni
Outstanding Achievement Award of St. John’s University at the 28th
Annual Alumni Convocation on Friday, May 29, 2009.
She is a double alumna of St. John’s University. She
received her B.S. in Paralegal Studies from St. Vincent’s College
in 1986 and her J.D. from St. John’s School of Law in
1989.
Demonstrating a love of the law and a passion for justice that
would serve as the hallmark of her professional life, she began her
legal career in 1989 as an Associate Attorney at the firm of Piken
and Piken, P.C. After two years in the private sector she
answered the call to public service and accepted a position as
Court Attorney at the Supreme Court of the State of New York in
Queens County.
In 1996 she was named Principal Law Clerk to the Administrative
Judge of the Supreme Court of the State of New York in Queens
County and two years later was named Principal Law Clerk to the
Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, of the
Supreme Court of the State of New York. Almost immediately
thereafter she was named Principal Law Clerk to the Presiding
Justice of the Appellate division, First Department, of the Supreme
Court of the State of New York.
In 2002 she ascended to the bench as Judge of the Criminal Court
of the City of New York, Queens County and in 2006 was named
Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, specifically
presiding over the Integrated Domestic Violence Court.
“Tonight is just so very special,” she said. “I’m so happy
to be here to receive this award.”
The Alumni Outstanding Achievement Award is an honor reserved
for alumni who have either distinguished themselves in their
personal careers and professions or have made a significant
contribution to the life of the University.