Judge Debra J. Kiedaisch: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Debra J. Kiedaisch (Ret.) was a judge for the Orange County Family Court in the Ninth Judicial District of New York. She was elected to the Family Court in 1996 and retained in subsequent elections. She retired in 2015.

During her tenure on the bench, Kiedaisch was appointed to serve as an acting justice of the Orange County Supreme Court in 1996. She also served as the presiding judge for the Integrated Domestic Violence Court beginning in 2004. Kiedaisch began her judicial career as a justice of the Village of Poquott after being elected to the seat in 1985. She remained on the Village Court until 1987.

She received a B.A. from Hofstra University in 1973. She also completed a J.D. from the New York Law School in 1982.

Prior to joining the bench, Kiedaisch practiced general and family law as a private practice attorney. She practiced as an associate at Sussman & Gottlieb (1985 to 1986) before becoming a partner at Jenkins & Kiedaisch.

In addition to her law practice, she also served as legal counsel to the Village of Greenwood Lake Zoning Board of Appeals (1987 to 1995) and its Planning Board (1991 to 1994).

She was an instructor at the Office of Administration Training Program for Domestic Violence and taught civil procedure, American jurisprudence, estates and trusts, and Law for the Layperson at the Orange County Community College.

Kiedaisch also served as a lecturer on Domestic Law and Violence for the Orange County Safe Homes Project, Inc., the Long Island Women’s Coalition, the Long Island Jewish Hospital Spousal Abuse Program, and Parents Without Partners.

She served as director of the Orange County Bar Association (1994 to 1998) and was co-editor of the Orange County Bar Association Newsletter (1989 to 1995).