Kathie Davidson, the supervising judge of the Family Courts in the Ninth Judicial District, has been appointed the administrative judge for that district.

She is replacing Alan Scheinkman, who Gov. Andrew Cuomo named presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, on New Year's Day.

“Judge Davidson is an experienced judge and a forward-thinking administrator, widely admired for her leadership, high ethical standards and passionate pursuit of justice,” Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks said in a statement. “I am eager to work with her as we continue to advance the chief judge's Excellence Initiative, instituting the operational reforms and other changes necessary to optimize court efficiency and ensure effective access to justice for all New Yorkers.”

In an interview, Davidson said she hopes her elevation to the position will be an inspiration to the younger generation. “The statement that this will make to our young women and our young women of color shows the times are changing,” she said.

During her time as supervising judge of the Family Courts in the Ninth Judicial District, Davidson created a districtwide paperless system and launched several outreach programs including Westchester County's first National Foster Day event in 2009.

Davidson was first elected to Westchester County's Family Court in November 2003, designated an acting Supreme Court justice in 2007 and re-elected to the Family Court in 2013. Prior to her judicial career, she was a deputy county attorney with the Westchester County Law Department.

The district includes Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester counties.