Reform the Bench: the Disgrace of Thomas Feinman and Catherine Rizzo

cases of this idiot that were reversed on appeal

Matter of Chodkowski v County of Nassau 2020 NY Slip Op 01058 [180 AD3d 778]February 13, 2020 “Contrary to the Supreme Court’s determination, so much of the petition as sought leave to deem the late notice of claim timely served nunc pro tunc is not barred by the doctrines of collateral estoppel and res judicata. Although collateral estoppel precludes a party from relitigating in a subsequent action or proceeding an issue which was raised and decided in a prior action or proceeding (see Williams v New York City Tr. Auth., 171 AD3d 990 [2019]), the issue of whether the petitioners could obtain leave to deem the late notice of claim timely served nunc pro tunc pursuant to General Municipal Law § 50-e (5) was not litigated or decided by the 2017 federal order. As the issue was not litigated, the petitioners are not precluded from raising it (see Bank of N.Y. Mellon v Chamoula, 170 AD3d 788 [2019]; Matter of Goldstein v New York State Urban Dev. Corp., 64 AD3d 168, 178 [2009], affd 13 NY3d 511 [2009]).”

2019-12222 DECISION & ORDER
Jimmy Galarza, appellant-respondent, v Lawrence
Heaney, et al., respondents-appellants.

“ORDERED that the order is reversed insofar as appealed from, on the law, that
branch of the defendants’ motion which was pursuant to CPLR 4404(a) to set aside, as contrary to
the weight of the evidence and excessive, so much of the jury verdict as awarded damages for future
pain and suffering and future medical expenses is denied, and so much of the jury verdict as awarded
the plaintiff the principal sums of $380,000 for future pain and suffering and $700,000 for future”
medical expenses is reinstated;”

A close-up, overhead view of a thick judicial opinion printed on crisp white paper, its margins dense with handwritten annotations in red and blue ink, underlines, question marks, and exclamation points drawing attention to troubling passages. Color-coded sticky flags protrude from the pages, each labeled with concise critiques such as “bias,” “inconsistency,” and “ignored evidence.” Soft, overcast daylight from a nearby window spreads evenly across a plain wooden desk, minimizing harsh shadows and highlighting the paper’s fine texture and ink saturation. Captured in photographic realism with a tight, centered composition and shallow depth of field, the image creates an intense, analytical mood of careful, critical review of a judge’s decisions.
A heavy wooden judge’s bench crafted from dark walnut dominates a grand but empty courtroom, its surface cluttered with thick case files, bound reports, and stamped manila folders labeled with dates and docket numbers. Behind the bench, towering shelves of leather-bound law books and archival boxes recede into soft blur. Cool, diffused daylight filters through high frosted windows, creating gentle reflections on the polished wood and casting long, sober shadows. Photographed at eye level in photographic realism with a slight wide-angle lens, the composition uses the rule of thirds, emphasizing the lonely authority of the bench and the weight of documented evidence, evoking a mood of solemn accountability and overdue scrutiny.

Browse scanned complaints, motions, and disciplinary filings related to Judge Feinman, each with a short description, docket number, and date so you can quickly locate supporting records.

Some of Thomas Feinman’s reviews

“This judge, Thomas Feinman, conducted himself as if he was the county’s personal judge, conducting ex parte discussions with the defendant County, allowing them to take steps that are disallowed per Statute and reduced a verdict amount when he had no discretion to do so. Appellate review of this case just confirmed all the above.”

“The comments below have to have been written by the Judge Thomas Feinman personal friends, family, or unpaid student interns at his urging. This man is certifiably insane. Has the temperament of a 2 year old, will scream, yell, and throw tantrums for the most trivial matters. Extremely rude and belittling towards counsel. Shame that he remains on the bench. Watch now as 10 more positive reviews will magically appear.”

“The law does not shine in his courtroom. Inadequate knowledge of the law and how to apply it. Best thing to say about this judge is that he is punctual.”

“Absolutely the worst temperament of any judge I have seen. Does not care about the facts or urgency of a case. Only hearing his own voice and yell at everyone who tries to explain the facts of a case. You will not receive justice with this judge and it’s clear he doesn’t even want to be there. He’s bitter and angry and if your case is in front of him I feel sorry for you. The law does not shine In his courtroom. A man of his power does t realize doing nothing destroys the lives of those who seek justice in his courtroom.”

“Not at all prepared to discuss cases,very biased .does not comprehend family crisis. Not willing to make decisions as he is not prepared/informed. May put you on the calendar and have the clerk hear what you want to say and what may need a judge to rule on therefore a waste of time. Pray you never stand before this so called judge. A real nightmare.”

“OH. MY. GOD. I have rarely experienced such sloppy and thoughtless handling of a motion. I’m scratching my head as to why, IMHO, his decision bears absolutely no relationship to the issue before him. Heaven help you if you think you are going to get a well-reasoned decision. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated incident. I refrained from opining after prior dealings because, well, everyone has a “bad day” but he has convinced me that this is not merely an isolated case of lack of reasoning. I am beginning to agree with those on this board who question the 10 star ratings.”

Some of Catherine Rizzo’s Reviews

“Based on motion dispositions in several different matters, slipshod, arbitrary, and incapable of legal reasoning.”

“A judge that is guided by political ideology, rather than just being a judge. A perfect example of why bad law clerks need to stop being appointed to acting supreme court judges”

Catherine Rizzo was the apprentice imbecile of this circus judge, two of the dumbest human beings and miserably angry, they should be nowhere near a court, they belong in prison eating food out of purina

A large, meticulously organized corkboard fills the frame, covered in pinned court documents, printed emails, highlighted rulings, and color-coded sticky notes, each connected by thin red string forming a complex web of accountability. Metal pushpins glint under cool, overhead fluorescent lighting that casts crisp, controlled shadows, emphasizing the texture of the paper edges and folds. A plain, neutral wall surrounds the board, slightly out of focus, letting the details of dates, stamps, and headings stand out. Shot straight on with sharp focus across the entire surface in photographic realism, the image conveys a methodical, investigative atmosphere and the painstaking work of building a public-records timeline.

View transcripts, orders, and appellate decisions as visual thumbnails; open any document for full-resolution pages, citation details, and download options.

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An imposing stack of mismatched archival storage boxes and expanding file folders rises from a scratched metal table in a dim records room, each box labeled with hand-written dates, case captions, and docket numbers related to judicial proceedings. A single adjustable desk lamp casts a cone of warm light across the scene, illuminating frayed edges, worn labels, and paper spilling from overfilled folders while leaving the background shelving in deep shadow. Photographed from a low angle with a shallow depth of field in photographic realism, the composition makes the stack loom large in the frame, symbolizing the overwhelming accumulation of unresolved misconduct and the urgent need for reform.

What This Archive Contains

These records come from FOIL requests, court dockets, and parties’ files; private data and minors’ names are carefully redacted.

Record Policy
A close-up, overhead view of a thick judicial opinion printed on crisp white paper, its margins dense with handwritten annotations in red and blue ink, underlines, question marks, and exclamation points drawing attention to troubling passages. Color-coded sticky flags protrude from the pages, each labeled with concise critiques such as “bias,” “inconsistency,” and “ignored evidence.” Soft, overcast daylight from a nearby window spreads evenly across a plain wooden desk, minimizing harsh shadows and highlighting the paper’s fine texture and ink saturation. Captured in photographic realism with a tight, centered composition and shallow depth of field, the image creates an intense, analytical mood of careful, critical review of a judge’s decisions.