Interviewed By Janelle A. Pelli
United States District Judge Anthony Brindisi took the federal bench in December 2024.
Prior to his confirmation as a federal judge, he had been a judge on the New York State Court of Claims in Utica, starting in 2022. In addition, Judge Brindisi had been serving as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Oneida County, since the beginning of 2024.
Prior to joining the state bench, Judge Brindisi was a partner at Brindisi, Murad & Brindisi Pearlman, LLP in Utica, from 2021 to 2022. From 2019 to 2021, Judge Brindisi served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives. Before that, he represented District 119, which includes the Utica and Rome region, in the New York State Assembly from 2011 to 2019.
1. First, can you tell us a bit about yourself and your path to the bench?
I was born and raised in Utica. My path to the bench wasn’t exactly straightforward, but my interest in law started pretty early. My mom passed away when I was young, so I spent a lot of time with my dad, who was a criminal defense attorney and later moved into civil litigation. I remember spending summers as a teenager watching him in court, and that’s when I first became really interested in trial work. Honestly, at first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go to law school, but I always gravitated more toward history and writing courses rather than math and science, so a career in law felt like a good fit. That led me to law school where I developed my love of the law and eventually, I came back home to Utica to practice and start a family. From there, I joined our family’s law firm, which my dad started over 60 years ago. If you told me back then someday, I’d be a judge, I wouldn’t have believed you.
2. What drove you to make the switch from private practice to public service?
I’ve always felt a strong pull toward public service. Growing up in Utica in the ’80s and ’90s, I watched the city face some tough times, with major employers leaving and the Air Force base in nearby Rome closing down. A lot of my high school friends ended up moving away to find jobs. But I always believed Utica was a great place to grow up, and I knew if I wanted to make it my home and raise my own family here, I’d need to step up and help reverse that trend. That led me to run for a spot on the Utica School Board which eventually led me to the NYS Assembly and Congress and then as a judge on the NYS Court of Claims. Being a judge, to me, combines two of my passions: law and public service.
3. Can you tell us about your time as a New York State Assemblyman? How was that experience?
I spent almost eight years in the New York State Assembly, and I’m really proud of the work I was able to do during that time. It was an experience that allowed me to have a meaningful impact on my community. Although watching or participating in the “sausage-making” process wasn’t always ideal, we made real progress in reversing some of the challenges my community had faced over the previous decades. For instance, we secured funding to build a new hospital in downtown Utica, brought back professional hockey with the AHL franchise, the Utica Comets, and helped secure funding for a state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facility just outside the city. One of the biggest things I learned from my time in the Assembly was the importance of teamwork. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without collaboration and cooperation among dedicated local officials across party lines.
4. How was your experience in the U.S. House of Representatives?
To borrow from Charles Dickens, I would describe my experience in Congress as “it was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” All kidding aside, I genuinely do cherish the years I spent in the House. I met amazing people and had the chance to work on some truly important issues. But it also showed me that while many representatives are there for the right reasons, others simply are not. I’ll leave it at that. I can say unequivocally, though, that I prefer serving in the Article III branch of government.
5. How have your past experiences prepared you for being a federal judge?
I think each role I’ve had along the way has helped prepare me for serving as a federal judge. As a practitioner, I learned how important it is to be prepared and know your case and the law inside and out before entering the courtroom. My time in public service taught me how to work with people from all backgrounds and walks of life, which is especially important as a judge managing a diverse docket with many pro se litigants. My experiences have also made me a better listener and problem solver, but perhaps most importantly, they’ve taught me patience. In my view, patience is essential to public service. As a judge, I always want to treat litigants, lawyers, and courtroom staff I have the pleasure of working with daily with patience, respect, and fairness.
6. Do you have any recommendations for those who are graduating law school and/or just starting their careers? Any lessons learned that you would like to share?
Be present in the here and now. Take a breath and enjoy the journey. True personal growth comes from your experiences along life’s path, not merely from reaching the goals you’ve set.
7. Do you have any tips for attorneys practicing before you?
I guess I’ll state the obvious: be prepared and be respectful. But personally, I would emphasize being on time, or even better, be early. While I might have all day, being habitually late shows a lack of respect for your colleagues and others involved in the process. Don’t grandstand; I’ve seen it all, and it’s not impressive. Also, be brief, brevity is underrated these days. I don’t like surprises or unnecessary motion practice. Remember, I’m here to help, so if an issue can be resolved with a quick conference or phone call, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my chambers.
8. When you aren’t working, what do you like to do for fun?
When I’m not working, I love being outdoors in the many beautiful open spaces here in upstate New York, especially in the Adirondack Park. My wife and I enjoy kayaking and try to spend whatever free time we have exploring the area’s rivers or non-motorized lakes. We also like hiking or snowshoeing with our dog, Charlie, and traveling to new places with our children. On quieter days, you’ll usually find me running or relaxing with a good mystery or historical fiction book.