We are thrilled to announce that Hon. L. Austin D’Souza will receive the Public Service Award at AABANY’s 2026 Annual Dinner on May 28, 2026.
Hon. L. Austin D’Souza is Supervising Judge of New York County Civil Court and an Acting Justice of the New York Supreme Court, Civil Term. Elected to the Civil Court in 2022, he first served in Kings County before his promotion in 2025. As Supervising Judge, he manages daily operations, supervises nine judges, and works with staff and the public to make the court more transparent and accessible.
Before his election, Judge D’Souza dedicated his career to public service. He tried high-exposure jury cases as Senior Counsel at the New York City Law Department and later served as Principal Law Clerk at the Court of Claims. Beyond the bench, he has been appointed to statewide judicial commissions addressing racial equity and anti-Asian hate. A graduate of Stony Brook University, the London School of Economics, and New York Law School, he is active in numerous bar associations.