New York Appoints Supervising Judges for Housing Courts
Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas named new leadership for Bronx and Brooklyn Housing Court operations.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in People
Live Poll
Do you trust the local housing courts in your area to handle disputes fairly?
Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas has appointed Christel Garland and Kimon Thermos as the new supervising judges for the Bronx and Brooklyn Housing Courts. These appointments fill key leadership vacancies within the New York City court system.
Why it matters
The new supervising judges will oversee the daily operations of a court system responsible for adjudicating critical landlord-tenant disputes and housing code violations across two major boroughs. Their leadership will shape how these high-volume courts manage local housing litigation.
Kimon Thermos brings 15 years of experience in the New York City court system and a 30-year total legal career to his new role. Christel Garland has served on the Bronx Housing Court bench since 2018.
The players
Joseph Zayas
He serves as the Chief Administrative Judge for the New York state court system.
Christel Garland
She is the newly appointed supervising judge for the Bronx Housing Court.
Kimon Thermos
He is the newly appointed supervising judge for the Brooklyn Housing Court.
Miriam Breier
She recently retired from her position as a judge at the Bronx Housing Court.
Kevin McClanahan
He left his judicial role at the Brooklyn Housing Court to take another position.
The details
Christel Garland takes over the Bronx position following the retirement of Miriam Breier. Meanwhile, Kimon Thermos succeeds Kevin McClanahan, who departed the Brooklyn bench to pursue another judicial role.
Timeline
2014: Kimon Thermos was appointed to the New York City Housing Court bench.
2018: Christel Garland began serving as a judge in the Bronx Housing Court.
October 29, 2026: Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas announced the judicial appointments.
Market Landscape
The administrative restructuring follows the organizational mandate established by the New York City Housing Court Act, which governs the operational oversight of housing litigation. These leadership changes ensure continuity in managing the court's high-volume caseload.
Residents involved in active housing disputes or those awaiting case resolutions may experience shifts in courtroom management styles under new leadership. These changes directly impact the efficiency and administrative procedures of legal proceedings in Bronx and Brooklyn housing courts.
The takeaway
These judicial leadership changes are designed to ensure the continued stability of housing court operations in New York City. Parties involved in ongoing litigation should monitor the court website for potential updates to local administrative procedures.
Further reading
For more information on the local judiciary, visit the New York People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AmNewYork.
Live Poll
Do you trust the local housing courts in your area to handle disputes fairly?
