ALBANY — Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas on Friday announced the appointment of Hon. E. Danielle Jose-Decker as Administrative Judge in the Capital Region’s Third Judicial District.

As Administrative Judge, Justice Jose-Decker will oversee trial court operations in the Third Judicial District, encompassing Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan, and Ulster counties. She succeeds Justice Christina L. Ryba, who was recently elevated to the Appellate Division, Third Department.

“I am humbled and grateful for the trust Chief Administrative Judge Zayas and the New York State Courts’ leadership team have placed in me,” said Judge Jose-Decker. “Former Administrative Judges Ryba and Connolly set a remarkable example of dedicated service to this district, and I am honored to build on their work.”

Elected in November 2020 as Sullivan County’s first woman County Court Judge, Judge Jose-Decker also presides as Surrogate and Acting Family Court Judge and serves as an Acting Supreme Court Justice. Since October 2024, she has overseen the Third Judicial District’s 118 Town and Village Courts in her role as Supervising Judge, leading development of Centralized Arraignment Parts in both Albany and Sullivan counties.

“Judge Jose-Decker’s diverse judicial experience, intimate knowledge of court operations, and deep understanding of the legal needs of the urban, suburban, and rural communities served by the District make her an ideal fit for this crucial administrative post,” said Chief Administrative Judge Zayas. “An energetic, innovative leader and advocate for equity and inclusion, her expertise, unwavering commitment to equal justice, and problem-solving approach will greatly benefit the Third Judicial District and Capital Region residents.”

After earning her law degree from Albany Law School, she joined the Sullivan County District Attorney’s Office as an Assistant District Attorney, then practiced at Greenwald Law Offices in Goshen as a Senior Associate before co-founding Ricciani & Jose, LLP in Monticello.