About Our Judges

Our Judges have all had distinguished careers as New York State Supreme Court Justices and have performed many wedding ceremonies. They truly understand the significance of the marriage commitment, since each has been happily married for many years. Most importantly, they are warm and caring people, who have devoted their lives to public service. Their experience and temperament make them uniquely qualified, not just to perform your ceremony, but to make your wedding an extraordinary event.

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Alan Marrus

Hon. Alan Marrus, a recently retired Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, has served on the bench for 33 years and has presided over the most serious criminal cases. Because of his legal scholarship and fair mindedness, he has been acclaimed by the press as one of the best judges in New York, with "ideal judicial temperament." On the lighter side, Judge Marrus has hosted a television show, been the master of ceremonies at several comedy club shows and performed musical comedy at the Friars' Club in New York City. He has officiated at scores of wedding ceremonies, with couples describing his ceremonies as "eloquent, dignified and warm with the perfect touch of humor." In February 2020, Judge Marrus appeared in the Netflix documentary series "Who Killed Malcolm X" where he acted as a legal consultant. More recently, in the Oxygen Network television series, "Mark of Killer" Judge Marrus is seen sentencing serial killer Salvatore Perrone after a jury convicted Perrone of three murders.

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Patricia Henry

Hon. Patricia Henry is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York having served in the Criminal, Family and Supreme Courts. She has chaired numerous bar association committees and lectured widely in the area of family law. Justice Henry has devoted most of her professional life to working with families and children and some of her happiest moments as a judge have been performing wedding ceremonies for court staff and attorneys who have sought her out to officiate.

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John J. Brunetti

Hon. John J. Brunetti presided in the Criminal Division of the Supreme Court in Central New York State for over twenty-two years. Prior to that, he was a defense lawyer, state and federal prosecutor and senate counsel. He has taught at three law schools, published numerous legal articles and a book and is a frequent lecturer at the New York Judicial Institute. Currently, in addition to working with JUDGES FOR LOVE, John Brunetti serves as a judge of the Oneida Indan Nation Court. Judge Brunetti has officiated at hundreds of weddings and has been happily married for 50 years.

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Jeffrey A. Cohen

Honorable Jeffrey A. Cohen is a retired New York State Supreme Court Justice who served on the Appellate Division, Second Department in Brooklyn. He began his judicial career as a Justice of the Town Court in Yorktown before serving in the Supreme Court in Westchester County. In addition to a distinguished judicial career, Justice Cohen has been a Legal Aid trial attorney and a teacher at Pace University. His many professional and civic activities have included serving as Chair of the Westchester County Board of Ethics, serving on the Statewide Commission on Attorney Discipline and serving on the Committee to Promote Gender Fairness in Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties. Officiating marriage ceremonies is one of his favorite activities. Judge Cohen is happily married and enjoys outdoor power walking and jogging with his wife.

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John Leventhal

Judge Leventhal retired from the bench after a distinguished career as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court for 27 years, half of which he served on the Appellate Division, Second Department, in Brooklyn. He presided over the nation's first felony Domestic Violence Court and mentored judges from other countries and states in the handling of domestic violence cases. A frequent lecturer and educator, he has received numerous awards from bar associations law schools, the United States Department of Justice and the New York Board of Rabbis. He has written a book, MY PARTNER, MY ENEMY, about his experiences presiding over domestic violence cases and appeared for interviews on the topic on MSNBC, Fox News, PBS and NPR. In his spare time, Judge Leventhal loves to jog, exercise and body build. He is an experienced wedding officiant and has performed scores of wedding ceremonies. Judge Leventhal envoys the opportunity to share in the joy of a couple's wedding day and make that occasion a truly memorable and beautiful one.

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Diane Costanzo

Honorable Diane Costanzo retired from the New York City Family Court after devoting 35 years to public service, handling the most serious and complex family issues the court oversees. She presided over thousands of cases in both Brooklyn and Queens.
She helped create the attorney pro bono project to make access to legal representation possible for those who could not afford it.
Judge Costanzo is an avid student of art history, philosophy and Italian and enjoys travel, playing tennis and exploring New York City culture.
She enjoys performing wedding ceremonies and goes out of her way to make them meaningful for each couple.

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William McCarthy

Hon. William McCarthy has been part of New York's legal community for more than 30 years. He began his judicial career as a New York State Supreme Court Judge and then served as an Appellate Division Justice.
Judge McCarthy is a graduate of the State University of New York at Potsdam and Albany Law School.
He is active in both professional and charitable organizations including the Disabled American Veterans and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

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Michael Pesce

Justice Michael Pesce has served as the Administrative Judge of the Supreme Court in Brooklyn and Staten Island and was the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Term overseeing appeals from courts in Brooklyn, Queens and Staten Island. Prior to becoming a judge, he served as a legislator in the New York Assembly. His public service is extensive. He is the founder of the Carroll Gardens Community Association and an active member of the Independent Neighborhood Democrats and the Van Westerhout Cittadini Molesi Social Club. His charitable work includes the Visiting Nurse Association of Brooklyn for the last 35 years. He lectured in Italy and in the United States on many legal and civil subjects and has received many awards in his role as elected official and as judge. In his spare time, Judge Pesce enjoys playing and coaching soccer and dining on fine food. His gourmet dinner parties are legendary in the legal and social communities.
Michael Pesce is happily married and has one daughter.

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Sidney F. Strauss

Hon. Sidney F. Strauss is a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Queens County. As a judge he served in a matrimonial part for more than 6 years and has a keen understanding of all aspects of family life.
He has performed hundreds of wedding ceremonies including 27 on the first day that same-sex marriages in New York were made legal in July 2013.
He enjoys meeting and helping couples design their dream wedding!
Judge Strauss is happily married, is a proud father and grandfather.

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Penny Wolfgang

Penny Wolfgang is a native of New York City where she graduated from NYU School of Law. She began her legal career as a private attorney and then as a public defender. As a public defender, Penny Wolfgang became an advocate for helping the average person understand legal information in everyday language and presented the information on a series called "The Law and You."
Judge Wolfgang was first elected to the County Court and then to Supreme Court. Throughout her career she continues to appear on public radio discussing legal topics. Judge Wolfgang has devoted countless hours to community service educating the public about the law.

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John Ingram

Judge John Ingram is a retired Justice of the New York State Supreme Court. He retired from the US Navy Reserve as a Captain and also served in the New York State Naval Militia, retiring as a Rear Admiral. Judge Ingram has served as an Instructor at the SUNY Maritime College, Benjamin Cardozo School of Law and New York Law School. His community activities have included serving as President of the St. Patrick Society of Brooklyn, the Emerald Association of Long Island, Director of the Cathedral Club of Brooklyn and Director of the Brooklyn Benevolent Society. He has been a long-standing member of the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, served as Commissioner and was named Honorary Battalion Chief of the New York City Fire Department.
Judge Ingram has performed over 40 weddings and is especially proud of his wife, his four children and eight grandchildren.

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