United States District Court for the Northern District of New York
About This Court
The Northern District of New York is a federal trial court within the Second Circuit, covering a broad geographic area that spans from the Canadian border in the north to the mid-Hudson Valley region in the south. The district encompasses a large portion of upstate New York, including cities such as Syracuse, Albany, Utica, Binghamton, and Plattsburgh, making it one of the larger federal districts in the northeastern United States by land area.
The court handles the full range of federal civil and criminal matters, including cases arising under federal statutes, constitutional claims, and disputes between citizens of different states meeting the jurisdictional threshold. Its docket reflects the diverse population and economic activity of upstate New York, including matters involving federal agencies, immigration, and significant civil litigation.
The clerk's office is headquartered in Syracuse, with additional courthouse locations throughout the district to serve litigants across the wide geographic expanse. The district operates under the local rules of the Northern District of New York, which govern practice and procedure before the court.
Proceedings are governed by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence, along with the court's local rules. Bankruptcy cases are handled by the companion Bankruptcy Court, Northern District of New York.
Caseload
The Northern District of New York handles a notable volume of Social Security appeals and immigration-related matters, reflecting the demographics and proximity to the Canadian border. The court also sees significant civil rights litigation and cases involving federal land and environmental issues given the presence of the Adirondack region and federal lands within the district.
Bar Admission
Attorneys must be admitted to practice before the Northern District of New York by applying through the clerk's office, which requires membership in good standing with the New York State Bar or another state bar. Attorneys admitted pro hac vice must associate with a member of the district's bar.
Clerk's Office
100 South Clinton Street, Syracuse, NY 13261
(315) 234-8500
Active Judges 10
| Name | Appointed By | Confirmed | Law School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Brindisi | Joseph R. Biden | 2024 | Albany Law School |
| Elizabeth Coombe | Joseph R. Biden | 2024 | University of Michigan Law School |
| Mae D'Agostino | Barack Obama | 2011 | Syracuse University College of Law |
| David Hurd | William J. Clinton | 1999 | Syracuse University College of Law |
| Lawrence Kahn | William J. Clinton | 1996 | Harvard Law School |
| Thomas McAvoy | Ronald Reagan | 1986 | Albany Law School |
| Anne Nardacci | Joseph R. Biden | 2022 | Cornell Law School |
| Brenda Sannes | Barack Obama | 2014 | University of Wisconsin Law School |
| Frederick Scullin | George H.W. Bush | 1992 | Syracuse University College of Law |
| Glenn Suddaby | George W. Bush | 2008 | Syracuse University College of Law |
Local Rules
208 local rules extracted from this court's published rules. See the court's official website for the authoritative text.