Hearings Hero Image of a gavel on a table being by an individual.

Hearings

What is a Public Hearing

DHR investigates, prosecutes, and adjudicates complaints of unlawful discrimination. If a DHR investigation determined that there is probable cause to believe that unlawful discrimination may have occurred, the complaint will move forward to our public hearing process. A public hearing, pursuant to the Human Rights Law, is a trial-like proceeding at which relevant evidence is placed in the hearing record. It is a hearing de novo, which means that the Commissioner’s final decision on the case is based solely on the content of the hearing record. The public hearing is presided over by an Administrative Law Judge, and a verbatim transcript is made of the proceedings. The hearing may last one or more days, not always consecutive. Parties are notified of all hearing sessions in advance, and the case may be adjourned to a later date only for good cause. At the conclusion of the hearing sessions, a proposed Order is prepared by the Administrative Law Judge and is sent to the parties for comment.

Videoconference Public Hearings

In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State Division of Human Rights (DHR) will be holding public hearings via a videoconference platform. Anyone who wishes to attend a public hearing, including members of the public, press, and other non-participating observers ("attendees") should email [email protected]. Attendees will be able to see and/or hear the public hearing in the same manner as the participants and will have a similar experience to sitting in a hearing room. Please note that you must email your intent to attend a hearing, to the email above, at least one business day in advance of the start of the hearing.

IMPORTANT: Any recording of a Division proceeding held by video or teleconference, including “screen-shots” or other audio or visual copying of a hearing, is absolutely prohibited.

Technical Support: The Division will not provide technical support for participants or attendees. Please contact your local IT support, and you may let us know if you are having technical difficulties by email at [email protected].

Schedule

March 2023 Schedule
Updated: March 1, 2023

 

3/1/23 - 3/2/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Donyale Bell v County of Erie; William Long
Administrative Law Judge: Martin Erazo, Jr.

Thomas Spencer v Town of Smithtown, Highway Department; Robert Murphy

Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

 

3/3/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Nicole Lawtone-Bowles v City of New York, Department of Homeless Services; City of New York, Human Resources Administration; Delroy Lawrence; Junius McMillian
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

 

3/6/23 - 3/7/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Manuel Lopez v Sacco & Fillas, LLP; John Christoulakis; Mercedes Arias
Administrative Law Judge: Sharon A. Sorkin

Samantha Tedesco v Erie County Medical Center Corporation; Robert Erhardt; Kyle Suckow
Administrative Law Judge: Martin Erazo, Jr.


Deborah Adler v New York State, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision; Mary Coryer; Billy Mack
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

 

3/8/23 - 3/9/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Lori A. Pendock v Anthony Campanella
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

Patrick Morris v Citizen's Opportunity for Development & Equality, Inc.; Max Martin
Administrative Law Judge: Martin Erazo, Jr.


Trinton Hatton v Trihop Management LLC; The Trihop Companies; Ashkenazy Acquisition Corporation; Kewsi Thomas; TriHop Varick LLC; TriHop 177th LLC; TriHop 14th Street LLC
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer


Emily Eliseo v Tara4bpd; Valerie Porr
Administrative Law Judge: Thomas S. Protano

 

3/13/23 - 3/14/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Jodi Donnelly v Jordache Enterprises, Inc.
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy

3/17/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Andres Arredondo Sierra v Real Builders Inc
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

 

3/20/23 - 3/21/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Denita Kennedy v University of Rochester – Eastman Dental Center; Kelly Brown; Pamela Boothe
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben


Rebecca & Ramel Peebles v 540 West 146th Street Housing Development Fund Corporation; Urban Management & Development Inc. (UMDI); Joshua Clennon
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Hugh Davis v William Masset
Administrative Law Judge: Martin Erazo, Jr.

 

3/22/23 - 3/23/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Tamykah Anthony; Xanthines Cafe LLC v Pirzada Properties LLC; Fozan Pirzada; Dimitri Kantzoglou
Administrative Law Judge: Sharon A. Sorkin


Catherine Sullivan v Liberty Mutual Insurance Company
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Moira P. Huggins v West Babylon School District
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Derek Brenner v County of Erie; Timothy Hogues; Frank Cammarata, III
Administrative Law Judge: Martin Erazo, Jr.


Eric Bowes v Prime Materials Recovery Inc.; Joe Harrington; Shane Shoen; Andrew A. Brumber; Fred Sherman
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

 

3/24/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Lizzy C. Crispin v Buffalo City School District
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

 

 

3/27/23 - 3/28/23, 9:30 AM to 5 PM
Keith Jones v New York Presbyterian, Queens
Administrative Law Judge: Alexander Linzer

Denisha N. Watson v Farmingdale State College; Eric Anderson
Administrative Law Judge: Robert M. Vespoli

Sharisa Flores; Darrel Flores v Masaryk Towers Corporation; Bernice McCallum; Metro Management & Development, Inc.; Mitchell Magidson
Administrative Law Judge: Rebecca A. Clancy


Sarah Trisvan v Conifer Realty, LLC; Andrea Lootens; Timothy D. Fournier; Magdalene Mevina; Annette Lainson
Administrative Law Judge: Michael T. Groben

 

 

What Occurs After the Public Hearing?

A final Order is issued by the Commissioner. The Commissioner either dismisses the complaint or finds discrimination. If discrimination is found, Respondent will be ordered to cease and desist and take appropriate action, such as reinstatement, training of staff, or provision of reasonable accommodation of disability. The Division may award money damages to Complainant including back pay and compensatory damages for mental pain and suffering, attorney’s fees, and civil fines and penalties. A Commissioner’s Order may be appealed by either party to the State Supreme Court within 60 days. Orders after hearing are transferred by the lower court to the Appellate Division for review.

Office of Administrative Law Judges

​Inquiries regarding public hearings may be directed to the:
Office of Administrative Law Judges
NYS Division of Human Rights
One Fordham Plaza, Fourth Floor
Bronx, NY 10458
Tel: (718) 741-8255
eFax: (718) 741-8333
Email: [email protected]