Judge James G. Clynes - Professional Background & Legal ...

James earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Villanova University and a law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He lives in Manhattan, New York.

James previously worked as both a criminal and civil litigator, serving 5 years with the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, 18 years with Nationwide Insurance Company, and 5 years in the New York State Unified Court System.

Judge James G. Clynes - Performance Metrics, Career Overview ...

James G. Clynes is currently an Acting Justice for the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. He was first elected to serve as a judge for the New York County Civil Court in 2017 and then designated to the Criminal Court in 2018.

New York State Bar Association - Panelist Bios

Legal career includes: 

* Assistant district attorney, Nassau County District Attorney’s Office (1985-1990)
* Senior trial attorney, Nationwide Insurance Company (1990-2008)
* Solo practice as a criminal and civil litigator (2008-2011)
* Principal court attorney, New York State Unified Court System (2012-2017)

As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted crimes in Nassau County, New York.

As a senior trial attorney for Nationwide Insurance Company, litigated personal injury and property damage cases.

As a civil court judge, oversaw trials regarding small claims and other civil matters.

As an Acting Justice for the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, oversees general jurisdiction civil trials.

- As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted crimes in Nassau County, New York.
- As a senior trial attorney for Nationwide Insurance Company, litigated personal injury and property damage cases.
- As a civil court judge, oversaw trials regarding small claims and other civil matters.
- As an Acting Justice for the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, oversees general jurisdiction civil trials.

Legal Experience

As of September 15, 2025, James G. Clynes did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

As a state supreme court judge, published 1.6 decisions per year, higher than 85.06% of judges in the dataset.

As a judge, favored commercial bonds 91.4% of the time, which is higher than 56.17% of judges in the dataset.

As a state supreme court judge, favored commercial bonds 91.4% of the time, higher than 56.17% of judges in the dataset.

As a district court judge, blocked 95.9% of bail cases, a higher percentage than 55.8% of judges in the dataset.

As a state supreme court judge, blocked affordable bail in 95.9% of bail cases, higher than 55.8% of judges in the dataset.

- As a state supreme court judge, published 1.6 decisions per year, higher than 85.06% of judges in the dataset.
- As a state supreme court judge, favored commercial bonds 91.4% of the time, higher than 56.17% of judges in the dataset.
- As a state supreme court judge, blocked affordable bail in 95.9% of bail cases, higher than 55.8% of judges in the dataset.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

The Defense Association of New York, Inc. - Home

In May 2025, received the Defense Association of New York Civil Justice Award.

- In May 2025, received the Defense Association of New York Civil Justice Award.

Community Involvement

James G. Clynes

Earned a B.S. in business from Villanova University and a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School.

Earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1984.

Supports the Uncap Justice Act, which would allow the State Legislature to add new State Supreme Court Justices.

As a state supreme court judge, favored commercial bonds 91.4% of the time, higher than 56.17% of judges in the dataset

- As a state supreme court judge, published 1.6 decisions per year, higher than 85.06% of judges in the dataset.
- As a state supreme court judge, favored commercial bonds 91.4% of the time, higher than 56.17% of judges in the dataset
- As a state supreme court judge, blocked affordable bail in 95.9% of bail cases, higher than 55.8% of judges in the dataset.

As a state supreme court judge, blocked 95.9% of bail cases, a higher percentage than 55.8% of judges in the dataset.

- As a state supreme court judge, published 1.6 decisions per year, higher than 85.06% of judges in the dataset.
- As a state supreme court judge, favored commercial bonds 91.4% of the time, higher than 56.17% of judges in the dataset
- As a state supreme court judge, blocked 95.9% of bail cases, a higher percentage than 55.8% of judges in the dataset.

Prior to becoming a judge, James worked as both a criminal and civil litigator, including 5 years with the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, 18 years with Nationwide Insurance Company, and 5 years in the New York State Unified Court System.

- Earned a law degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School in 1984.
- As an assistant district attorney, prosecuted crimes in Nassau County, New York.
- As a senior trial attorney for Nationwide Insurance Company, litigated personal injury and property damage cases.
- As a civil court judge, oversaw trials regarding small claims and other civil matters.
- As an Acting Justice for the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County, oversees general jurisdiction civil trials.

James G. Clynes earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Villanova University and a juris doctor from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He lives in Manhattan, New York.

James is currently a judge for the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County. He was first elected to serve as a judge for the New York County Civil Court in 2017 and then designated to the Criminal Court in 2018. In 2023, he was elected to the Supreme Court and currently presides in the Civil Division. He has served as a New York judge for 9 years.

James G. Clynes earned a bachelor of science in business administration from Villanova University and a juris doctor degree from the University of Notre Dame Law School. He lives in Manhattan, New York.

James is a judge in the New York State Unified Court System. He previously worked as an assistant district attorney with the Nassau County District Attorney's Office, a senior trial attorney at Nationwide Insurance Company, and a solo practitioner specializing in criminal and civil litigation.

James is currently a judge for the New York Supreme Court, 1st District. He was first elected to serve as a judge for the New York County Civil Court in 2017 and then designated to the Criminal Court by the Hon Lawrence K. Marks, Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York in 2018. He was most recently elected to the bench for a term beginning in 2018 and ending in 2027. James is also a former chairman of Community Board 8, a position he held from 2015 to 2017.

- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 