Resume

Hon. Vincent W. Versaci

JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE

Acting Supreme Court Justice, Schenectady County, New York

January 2011 to present

Preside over all civil matters that are within the jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, including miscellaneous torts, foreclosures, matrimonial matters and contract disputes.

Surrogate, Schenectady County, New York

May 2010 to present

Appointed by Governor David A. Paterson, March 2010

Confirmed unanimously by the New York State Senate, May 2010

Elected 2010 and Re-elected 2020 with term ending December 2030

Preside over all matters that relate to the affairs of a person’s estate after death. Jurisdiction includes probate of wills, administration of estates, guardianship of property of minors and incapacitated persons, intervivos trusts and adoptions.

Acting County Court Judge, Schenectady County, New York

January 2005 to present

Assigned to Schenectady County Court to preside over all stages of felony criminal prosecutions from arraignment on indictments and superior court informations to trials and sentencing. Also served as Schenectady County’s pistol permit officer from 2010 to 2014, deciding applications filed by citizens wishing to possess and carry handguns.

Acting Family Court Judge, Schenectady County, New York

January 2011 to present

Assigned to Schenectady County Family Court to adjudicate matters relating to custody, visitation, abuse and neglect, PINS and JD proceedings. Also presided over matters pending in Montgomery County Family Court.

Supervising Judge for Town and Village Courts, Fourth Judicial District

August 2007 to May 2010

Appointed to oversee and assist the Town and Village Courts in Saratoga, Schenectady, Montgomery and Fulton Counties. Duties included coordinating resources, educating and training the Justices and serving as a conduit between the local courts and the Office of Court Administration.

City Court Judge, City of Schenectady, New York

January 2003 to May 2010

Elected 2002 and re-elected 2008

Presided over criminal, traffic and civil matters in Schenectady City Court. Primary responsibilities included preliminary jurisdiction over felony prosecutions, adjudicating misdemeanors and violations from arraignment to sentencing. Also presided over the City’s Drug Court serving the City, Town and Village Courts in Schenectady County, which provided an alternative to incarceration for defendants struggling with alcohol and drug addiction.

OTHER LEGAL EXPERIENCE

Administrative Board for the Offices of the Public Administrators

Member, August 2019 to present

This Administrative Board created pursuant to Section 1128 of the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, is tasked with establishing standards and guidelines for Public Administrator Offices throughout New York State.

Surrogate’s Court Advisory Committee

Member, November 2018 to present

This standing committee of the Chief Administrative Judge reviews recent and proposed legislation regarding the Estates, Powers and Trusts Law, and the Surrogate’s Court Procedure Act, and has been instrumental in securing the enactment of new legislation and recommending changes to the statutes and rules pertaining to the affairs of decedents and the operations of the Surrogate’s Courts of New York State.

Surrogate’s Court Sub-Committee of the Advisory Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution

Member, October 2017 to October 2018

This sub-committee reviewed alternative dispute resolution initiatives and made recommendations to the Chief Judge as to how Alternative Dispute Resolution techniques could be best employed in Surrogate’s Courts across New York State.

Schenectady County Community College, Schenectady, New York

Adjunct Professor, September 2009 to May 2010

Survey of American Law – a course geared to aspiring paralegals and law students. The curriculum introduced students to the basics of substantive and procedural law as well as the day to day challenges of the legal profession conveyed through my experience in the public and private sector.

Sciocchetti & Associates, PLLC, Schenectady, New York

Associate Attorney, May 2003 to October 2004

Associate attorney in private law practice concentrating on all aspects of real estate, estate planning, matrimonial and criminal law.

Law Offices of Frank M. Putorti, Jr., P.C., Schenectady, New York

Associate Attorney, December 1996 to May 2003

Associate attorney in general practice firm largely focusing on matrimonial law, estate planning, criminal law and personal injury litigation. Represented clients in both civil and criminal matters from initial client intake to case conclusion. Practiced in numerous trial and appellate courts all across Upstate New York and New York City.

STATE BAR ADMISSIONS

State of New York

Admitted and licensed to practice law, January 1997

State of Connecticut

Admitted and licensed to practice law, October 1996

EDUCATION

Albany Law School, Albany, New York

Juris Doctor, May 1996

University of Rochester, Rochester, New York

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Cum Laude, May 1993

PROFESSIONAL & COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

Surrogate’s Court Association of the State of New York

Secretary/Treasurer, May 2019 to present

Member, 2011 to present

Schenectady County Bar Association

Chair, Awards Committee, 2020 to present

Young Attorney of the Year Award, January 2004

Board of Directors, December 2001 to June 2003

Chair, Law Day Committee, 1999 and 2000

Member, 1997 to present

Capital Region Aquatic Center

Board of Directors, June 2019 to present

Participate in the planning and site selection for this state-of-the-art facility that will provide swimming instruction, aquatic therapy, and serve as host for local, regional, and national aquatic competitions.

Schenectady Cancer Foundation

Board of Directors, September 2010 to dissolution in December 2016

The Brown School, Schenectady, New York

Chair, Board of Trustees, August 2008 to July 2009

Member, Board of Trustees, February 2006 to June 2016

Vito A. Masi Center for Nonviolence Inc., Schenectady, New York

Chair, Board of Directors, August 2001 to dissolution in May 2012

Legal Counsel, December 1995 to October 2004

Program Volunteer, December 1995 to dissolution in May 2012

Founding member of Not-For-Profit organization dedicated to creating and organizing

educational programs that focused on teaching alternatives to violence.

City of Schenectady Planning Commission

Commissioner, December 2000 to December 2002

Reviewed site plans of applicants to ensure compliance with state and local laws.