On Monday, February 2, 2026, the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct announced that Supreme Court Justice Sherri L. Eisenpress of the Ninth Judicial District, Rockland County, agreed to retire and will never return to the bench. This decision follows misconduct charges filed by the Commission for Justice Eisenpress’ failure to disclose personal relationships and other conflicts of interest involving attorneys appearing before her.

The Commission’s formal disciplinary charges, served in August 2025, cite multiple instances of conflicts. From 2019 to 2024, Justice Eisenpress presided over at least 55 cases involving attorneys with whom she had close personal and social relationships, without disclosing these relationships or recusing herself. Additionally, from 2016 to 2025, she presided over at least 41 cases involving the law firm of her principal law clerk’s spouse, again failing to disclose the connection or insulate her law clerk from involvement.

Further instances of alleged misconduct include a 2022 matrimonial matter where the lawyer for one party was co-hosting a fundraiser for Justice Eisenpress’ judicial campaign. Despite issuing a temporary custody order in favor of the attorney’s client, she only recused herself after the defendant’s attorney raised concerns about the relationship. In 2024, she presided over a case where a party was represented by her law clerk’s husband, initially denying a request to disqualify herself before stepping aside later for unrelated reasons.

Justice Eisenpress waived confidentiality provisions to allow public access to the stipulation and the Commission’s order. She has served as a Justice of the Supreme Court since 2023, previously serving as a Judge of the Family Court from 2012 to 2022, and as an Acting Supreme Court Justice from 2014 to 2022. Her term would have expired on December 31, 2036.

Commission Administrator Robert H. Tembeckjian emphasized the importance of impartiality in the judiciary, stating that judges must avoid conflicts of interest and disclose potential conflicts to allow parties the opportunity to request recusal. He deemed Justice Eisenpress’ permanent departure from office as appropriate, given the seriousness of the allegations.

A copy of the news release can be found here.