January 13th, 14th, and 15th, 2025

On 1/13/25, 1/14/25 and 1/15/25, Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric hosted approximately 300 4th grade students from the City of Binghamton Elementary schools at the Binghamton Courthouse. The students heard from NYS Trooper K-9 Handler Kristopher Jones and NYS Trooper K9 Handler Vargeson, followed by AUSA Kristen Grabowski, AFPD Randi Bianco, AFPD Gabrielle Wolfe, and Justin M. Lange, Esq. Following the group discussions, the students participated in the trial of the Big Bad Wolf presided by Judge Lovric where the three little pigs took the witness stand in support of AUSA Grabowski’s prosecution of Mr. Wolf, who was represented by Attorneys Bianco, Wolfe and Lange on each respective day.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you for hosting our students during the trip. It was an incredible learning experience that truly brought lessons to life. Our students were captivated by the insights shared with them, the K9 demonstrations and the Big Bad Wolf Trial. Your team’s dedication to education and community made a lasting impact. Please find a few photos that capture the excitement and curiosity of our students and staff. We even snapped a couple of photos of them enjoying the delicious lunch upon return to school, as well as a group photo of one of their schools in their t-shirts!

Thank you again for being so detailed with your planning, generosity and for inspiring our future leaders.

With sincere appreciation,
Debra M., Binghamton City School District

January 17, 2025

Magistrate Judge Lovric hosted local area high school students from the Broome-Tioga BOCES New Visions Government & Law Academy. The students heard from Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles and Investigator John O’Brien regarding their career paths and how the Office of Federal Public Defender fits into the courts and federal judicial system, their role, and the type of work they perform. They also discussed some case examples handled by OFPD with the students.

January 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2025

On January 21, 22, and 23, District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino and District Judge Anne M. Nardacci hosted 200 students over the course of three days from Pinewood Intermediate School at the Albany Courthouse. Students were able to view live court proceedings with AUSA’s Matthew Paulbeck and Justin Bennett, and Federal Public Defender Matthew Trainor and Tim Austin and Defense Attorney Julie Nociolo. The students participated in a Q&A with the Judges and the attorneys following the proceedings. The students also heard a presentation from Probation Officers Stephanie Meyers, Chelsea Deyo, Amy Brancatelli, Dan Casullo, Kristin Bent, and Blake Dobraj. The students finished the day with a courthouse tour with Courtroom Deputy Dan Krug and Clerk of Court John Domurad.

February 18th, 2025

Cub Scout Pack 1701 from North Colonie School District in Latham, NY met with District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino on February 18, 2025. The Pack, who are working on their Citizenship badge, learned about Judge D’Agostino’s career path to the bench, the type of work she does as a Federal District Judge, and the three branches of government.

March 5th, 2025

On 3/5/25, Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz hosted students from the Oswego CiTi BOCES STRIVE program. The students heard presentations from Judge Katz, as well as Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Katz, Assistant Federal Public Defender Gabriela Wolfe, and U.S. Probation Officer James Mathers with regard to their career paths and their job duties. The students participated in a Q&A with the presenters and judges.

March 5th, 2025

On March 5, 2025, District Judge Anne Nardacci hosted 90 students from Tamarac Elementary School at the Albany Courthouse. The students started their day watching a live change of plea proceeding presided by Judge Nardacci. Thereafter, the students heard presentations from and participated in a Q&A with Judge Nardacci, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Rosenthal and Mikayla Espinosa, Assistant Federal Public Defender Molly Corbett, and U.S. Probation Officers Chelsea Deyo, Kristen Bent, Dan Casullo and Marc Lavigne. The students ended their day with a Courthouse tour with Clerk of Court, John Domurad.

April 1st, 2025

On April 1, 2025, District Judge Anne Nardacci and Magistrate Judge Paul Evangelista hosted 15 seniors from Mohonasen High School. The students were able to view a live change of plea hearing presided by Judge Nardacci, as well as a Q&A with both judges. Students also heard presentations from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Clark and Matthew Paulbeck, U.S. Probation Officers Chelsea Deyo, Kristen Bent, Dan Casullo, Marc Lavigne and Stephanie Meyers. The students ended their day with a courthouse tour.

April 3rd, 2025

On 4/3/25, U.S. District Judge Anthony J. Brindisi met with forty 4th grade students at Marcy Elementary School. Judge Brindisi discussed his career path to the bench and the three branches of the federal government with the students, followed by a Q&A with the Judge.

April 9th, 2025

On April 9, 2025, Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart presided over a Naturalization Ceremony at Saranac Lake High School where 18 new citizens from 16 countries were sworn in. Saranac Lake High School students led the pledge of allegiance, and the HS Choir sang "The Star-Spangled Banner".

https://www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com/news/local-news/2025/04/out-of-many-one-people/

April 15th, 2025

On April 15, 2025, Magistrate Judge Lovric hosted local area high school students from the Broome-Tioga BOCES New Visions Government & Law Academy in the Binghamton Courthouse. The students heard from Peter Orville, a local Bankruptcy Attorney, to talk with the students about finances and the financial world – the good and the ugly.

April 23rd, 2025

On April 23, 2025, Magistrate Judge Mitchell J. Katz hosted students from Morgan Road Middle School at the Syracuse Courthouse. Judge Katz, Assistant U.S. Attorneys Jessica Carbone and Michael Perry, and Assistant Federal Public Defender Gabriela Wolf discussed the types of cases they work on and their career paths and participated in a Q&A with the students. Next, the students heard from NYS Troopers Kylie Black and Kevin Connors, with their K9 partners Loni and Todz, and a day in the life as a NYS Trooper. The students ended their day with presentations from Court Reporter Jodi Hibbard and IT Project Manager Andrew Driscoll.

Last Wednesday's Courthouse Outreach program was fantastic! Our Morgan Road Middle Schoolers could not have been more thrilled with every aspect... from Judge Katz's introduction to courtroom organization to the differences between criminal and court cases and even what it really means to "pass the bar." He, along with the district attorneys and public defender, emphasized how much reading and writing they do each day and the value of networking and good communication skills. They knew their audience! Of course, seeing the two K9 officers and dogs in action was a hit along with hearing from the court reporter and IT expert. So very informative! Our students are still talking about what they learned.

This was an extremely well-organized event, and I know we would love to plan on attending next year. This was the perfect introduction to our upcoming studies of 12 Angry Men, Civil Rights, and To Kill A Mockingbird. The connections they have already made are outstanding.

Thank you again so very much for coordinating this opportunity and all of the efforts from everyone on your team to host our 8th graders. A thank you card from our students is on the way to you. Could you please share with everyone who was a part of this amazing day?

We will see you next year!

Bridget Colabello and Kristi Carroll
Morgan Road Middle School/ Liverpool Central Schools

April 25th, 2025

On April 25, 2025, students from Rondout Valley High School had a unique and educational experience at the Albany Courthouse hosted by U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino. The visit began with the students observing a live criminal sentencing, offering a real-time look into the federal justice system, followed by a group discussion with Judge D’Agostino. The students then heard from Assistant U.S. Attorneys Benjamin Clark and Matthew Paulbeck and Assistant Federal Public Defender Paul Shelton who shared their perspectives on prosecution and defense in federal court. U.S. Probation Officers Daniel Casullo, Amy Brancatelli, Chelsea Deyo, Kristen Bent, and Stephanie Meyer also spoke about their vital roles in the justice system and their responsibilities to the Court. The students ended their day with a group discussion with U.S. Marshal Stuart Smith discussing the duties of the Marshals Service and its critical role in upholding court security and law enforcement.

May 6th, 2025

On May 6, 2025, Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Wendy A. Kinsella welcomed students from Camden High School and Jamesville-Dewitt High School at the Syracuse Courthouse. Judge Kinsella, Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Katz and Michael Gadarian, and Assistant Federal Public Defender Gabriella DiBella provided insightful presentations on the diverse cases they handled and shared their professional journeys. Following the presentations, the students participated in an engaging group discussion led by Judge Kinsella and William Wolfe, Esq., from the Federal Court Bar Association, surrounding this year’ s Law Month theme: “E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One”. The students explored the significance of unity in society and examined how the Constitution fosters and protects that unity.

May 9th, 2025

On May 9, 2025, students from Lansingburgh High School visited the James T. Foley Courthouse in Albany, NY to participate in Law Month. The students met with U.S. District Court Judge Mae A. D'Agostino, along with attorneys Karen Folster Lesperance, Esq. and Joanne Sternheimer, Esq. from the Federal Court Bar Association, who shared their career journeys, the types of cases they handle, and their roles in the federal judicial system. Judge D’Agostino led an inspiring group discussion on this year’s Law Month theme “E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One”, highlighting the importance of unity in the legal profession and society, and how the Constitution serves as a foundation for that unity.

May 13th, 2025

On May 13, 2025, U.S. Magistrate Judge David E. Peebles and Career Law Clerk Michael G. Langan, Esq., had the privilege of visiting students in a college-level political science course at Port Byron High School in Cayuga County where they discussed their career paths and their roles in the Court. The session included a thought-provoking group discussion on this year’s Law Month theme “E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One”. Judge Peebles and Mr. Langan led an insightful conversation about the importance of unity in the legal profession and society, emphasizing how the Constitution protects that unity.

May 15th, 2025

In celebration of Law Month, U.S. District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino visited Cohoes High School on May 15, 2025, together with Benjamin Hill, Esq. and Brienna Braman, Esq., members of the Federal Court Bar Association, to discuss their career paths, the types of cases they manage, and their role within the court. Judge D’Agostino led an insightful group discussion on this year’s Law Month theme “E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One”, including the importance of unity in the legal profession and society, emphasizing how the Constitution protects that unity.

May 20th, 2025

On May 20, 2025, Magistrate Judge Thérèse Wiley Dancks welcomed students from Marcellus High School and Chestnut Hill Middle School to the Syracuse Courthouse. Judge Dancks shared insights regarding her career path, the type of cases she presides over, and her duties with the Court. The students also heard from Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Perry and Federal Public Defender Lisa Peebles regarding their career paths and their role with the Court. Following the presentations, the students participated in an engaging discussion with Judge Dancks, Suzanne Galbato, Esq. and Suzanne Messer, Esq., attorneys from the Federal Court Bar Association, regarding this year’s Law Month theme based upon our nation’s motto and the Constitution’s promise, “E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One”. The conversation delved into the Constitution which enshrines our collective responsibility to one another and bridges our differences to bring us together as a united nation. The speakers emphasized how the Constitution establishes a framework that unites us as one citizenry and how it safeguards that unity by asking all citizens to contribute to the common good through, for example, serving in the military or on a jury. The dialogue highlighted the significance of civility and unity in the legal profession and society overall and how our civic duties tie us together as one.

May 22nd, 2025

On May 22, 2025, Magistrate Judge Miroslav Lovric and Career Law Clerk Abigail Hind visited Binghamton High School AP students. Judge Lovric and Ms. Hind discussed their career paths and role with the Court, followed by a group discussion on the U.S. Constitution and how it applies today; the meaning of Due Process; and AI in the law.

June 5th, 2025

Thirty students from Lake Placid Elementary School made the 2.5-hour trip to the Albany Courthouse on June 5, 2025 for their annual class visit to the Capital City. The 5th graders participated in a fun and informative Q&A with U.S. District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino, learning about her career path to the bench and helping crack the case of her “stolen” iPad. They even had the opportunity to take a seat in the Judge’s chair at the bench before departing to tour the rest of the Capital City.

June 6th, 2025

On June 6, 2025, 32 fourth-grade students from Albany International Academy visited the James T. Foley Courthouse in Albany hosted by District Judge Mae A. D'Agostino and Magistrate Judge Daniel J. Stewart. The Judges discussed their career path, types of cases they handle, and their roles in the Court. While in Judge Stewart's courtroom, the students had a surprise visit from U.S. Marshal Jarrett Wager to hear about his journey to becoming a marshal, shared his favorite and toughest parts of the job, and even let some students try on his very heavy, bulletproof vest. The visit also included a courthouse tour, and the day wrapped up with a presentation from U.S. Probation Officers Dan Casullo, Amy Brancatelli, Zachary Wright, and Blake Dobraj who discussed their vital role supporting the Court.