We were delighted to have Rye resident, Valerie Livingston join us as guest speaker for one of our recent weekly Zoom meetings!
Valerie A. Livingston is a graduate of Dickinson College where she received a B.A. in French. She earned her law degree from Pace University School of Law, where she graduated cum laude and was a Casenote & Comment Editor for the Pace Law Review. From 1988 until 2019, Valerie served as an Assistant District Attorney in the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. During her 30+ years with the District Attorney’s Office, she spent most of her career as an appellate specialist in the Appeals & Special Litigation Division where she was promoted to Deputy Bureau Chief in 2001. As an appellate attorney, Valerie prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases in all the appellate courts in New York State as well as handling federal writs of habeas corpus in the United States District Court, Southern District of New York and on appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals.
For nearly 10 years, Valerie also served as the Rye Branch Chief where she handled thousands of DWIs, misdemeanor and felony cases in the towns and villages in the Sound Shore area. She was of invaluable assistance in this role, guiding 10 different police departments within that geographic area. Prompted in part by Valerie’s service as Rye Branch Chief, Mayor Josh Cohn, with the approval of the Rye City Council, appointed her as the new Rye City Court Part Time Judge, a 6-year term which she began on February 1, 2020. Valerie’s practice areas now include Litigation, Appellate Litigation, Criminal Law, DWI, and Family Law. Valerie and her husband Ted have lived in Rye for 30 years, where they have raised three children.
Thanks so much Val, for taking time to speak with us. Rye Rotary extends our CONGRATULATIONS to you on your new appointment as Part Time Judge -- and for being the FIRST WOMAN in this role!