Syracuse Justice Coordinator Receives 40 Under 40 Award

Hillary Warner was honored for integrating community resources into the Onondaga County court system.

Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Criminal Justice

Syracuse Justice Coordinator Receives 40 Under 40 Award

Live Poll

Should public courts integrate social service resources to better support the community?

Justice coordinator Hillary Warner received a 40 Under 40 award for her efforts to improve access within the local court system. The honor recognizes her work in Central New York implementing outreach programs.

Why it matters

The court system aims to lift barriers for litigants by embedding community resources directly into legal facilities. Warner's initiatives are designed to make family and drug treatment courts easier for the public to navigate.

Hillary Warner currently serves as the justice coordinator for the 5th Judicial District, overseeing outreach services. These initiatives operate under the administrative scope of the Onondaga County court system.

The players

Hillary Warner

She is the justice coordinator for the 5th Judicial District responsible for managing community outreach and committee services.

Reach CNY

This is a non-profit organization that partners with the local court system to operate a free supervised visitation program.

CNY Diaper Bank

This organization supplies diapers that are made available in family court lactation rooms.

Prevention Network

This entity is currently working with Warner on plans to place Narcan boxes in local town and village courts.

The details

Warner manages programs including a free supervised visitation service provided with the non-profit Reach CNY and the distribution of diapers through the CNY Diaper Bank. She also facilitated the installation of Narcan boxes in drug treatment courts and a student-led mural in the Onondaga Family Court waiting room.

Warner began her role as justice coordinator in 2024.
The 40 Under 40 award ceremony was held on October 6, 2026.

Legal Context

This work follows the New York State Unified Court System's justice coordinator initiative, which assigns dedicated staff to bridge gaps between legal proceedings and public needs. These programs reflect a broader shift toward integrating social support services directly into local court architecture.

Residents engaging with family or drug treatment courts will notice increased access to social support resources such as lactation supplies and visitation programs. These enhancements are specifically designed to reduce navigation difficulties for families attending local court proceedings.

The takeaway

Justice coordination roles demonstrate how targeted community partnerships can simplify complex legal experiences for vulnerable families. Implementing such resource-based models can serve as a blueprint for local courts seeking to improve accessibility and service quality.