But McSweeney-Ortiz’s path to law involved first gaining a broader perspective. Born and raised in Woodside, she attended Mary Louis Academy and earned her undergrad degree from SUNY Albany, majoring in Spanish with a minor in business.

Michelle McSweeney-Ortiz For Judge

When McSweeney-Ortiz enrolled in Queens College to continue her studies, it was with a new goal in mind: a master’s in education in Spanish, which she used to teach the language at Holy Cross High School for seven years.

I am a veteran attorney, working the past 10 years as a court attorney to a Supreme Court Judge in the Commercial Division and Tax Certiorari Parts, after spending 10 years in private practice at a neighborhood law firm. Prior to becoming an attorney, I was a foreign language high school teacher and attended law school at night at St. John’s University.

Meet Michelle | Michelle McSweeney-Ortiz

I am a working mom of 3 amazing kids, a wife, a sister, a friend and a lifelong Queens resident. I am a veteran attorney, working the past 10 years as a court attorney to a Supreme Court Judge in the Commercial Division and Tax Certiorari Parts, after spending 10 years in private practice at a neighborhood law firm.

Michelle Ann McSweeney-Ortiz was born and raised in Woodside. She earned an undergraduate degree from SUNY Albany, majoring in Spanish with a minor in business, and a master's degree in education in Spanish from Queens College; she also attended law school at St. John's University. She is a wife and mother of three children.

Michelle McSweeney-Ortiz For Judge - Queens Ledger

“Part of this is utilizing the other facets that the court has. I don’t think enough cases are sent to mediation,” said McSweeney-Oritz, who worked as a mediator while in private practice. “[And] seeing the inner workings of what their issues are helps us recognize what cases are ripe for mediation, versus what cases will not settle.”

Michelle Ann McSweeney-Ortiz works as a court attorney for a Supreme Court judge in the Commercial Division and Tax Certiorari Parts. She previously worked in private practice at a neighborhood law firm, including as a mediator, and as a foreign language teacher at Holy Cross High School.

2026 New York General Election

Served for 10 years as a court attorney for a New York Supreme Court judge in the Commercial Division and Tax Certiorari Parts.

Worked for 10 years as an attorney at a neighborhood law firm.

- Served for 10 years as a court attorney for a New York Supreme Court judge in the Commercial Division and Tax Certiorari Parts.
- Worked for 10 years as an attorney at a neighborhood law firm.

Legal Experience

“Although you might not have any interest in the law, you never know if you’re going to be sued,” said McSweeney-Ortiz, in a recent roundtable with the Queens Ledger. “You want to make sure that the people who are listening to your case are being fair and impartial, and interpreting the law properly to make sure that you’re being heard.”

“When you’re a private practitioner, you are very much an advocate, one way or the other,” she explained. “The biggest difference, I would say, between being that zealous advocate and being a judge is to really be open to listen. We all go into most situations with preconceived notions, and you have to take that off the table.”

Sometimes, McSweeney-Ortiz noted, neutrality involves understanding that the paperwork doesn’t tell the full story. In cases where one side lacks a competent advocate, that can mean eliciting more details to fill in the gaps; when the parties know each other, the root problem may not be the alleged infraction at hand — who threw what into someone else’s yard, for example — but a deeper grievance that goes back years.

Queens County is our home and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect when they enter a courtroom. If I am elected Judge of the Civil Court of Queens County, I promise that I will work hard every day and will listen to every person that comes before me and treat them with fairness and patience. My experience as a working mom and veteran attorney will guide me every day I serve on the bench.

Said judges should be fair and impartial, interpret the law properly, and ensure people are heard.

Said judges should listen openly and set aside preconceived notions when evaluating cases.

Thinks judges should listen openly and set aside preconceived notions when evaluating cases.

Said judicial neutrality requires understanding that court paperwork may not tell the full story.

Believes judicial neutrality requires understanding that court paperwork may not tell the full story.

Pledges to listen to every person appearing before the court and treat them with fairness and patience.

- Said judges should be fair and impartial, interpret the law properly, and ensure people are heard.
- Thinks judges should listen openly and set aside preconceived notions when evaluating cases.
- Believes judicial neutrality requires understanding that court paperwork may not tell the full story.
- Pledges to listen to every person appearing before the court and treat them with fairness and patience.

Judicial Philosophy

As of October 15, 2026, Michelle Ann McSweeney-Ortiz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

Michelle Ann McSweeney-Ortiz

- Pledges to listen to every person appearing before the court and treat them with fairness and patience.

Isaac Brickman

Alejandra Gracias

William David Shanahan

- The New York Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court.
- It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $10,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters and housing code violations.
- There are 120 judges elected to the Civil Court, but only about 50 sit in it. The remaining judges sit in other courts, such as the Criminal Court or Family Court.
- Judges are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections.
- They are paid a salary of $216,400.

Judge who handles majority of civil cases in New York