Acting Schenectady County Supreme Court Justice Kathleen Hogan was named Thursday as the new supervising judge for county courts in the Fourth Judicial District, which encompasses the North Country and upper Capital Region.

Hogan, who was previously the Warren County district attorney for 16 years, replaces Justice Felix Catena, who was recently named as the administrative judge of the district.

Catena said in a statement Thursday that Hogan will be a good fit for the position as the state's courts work to implement a series of new reforms to the criminal justice system, including changes in criminal discovery, cash bail, and the right to a speedy trial.

"Judge Hogan is a hardworking, forward-thinking judge with an unwavering commitment to the fair administration of justice," Catena said. "Her leadership qualities and positive, can-do attitude will be assets to the district as we implement the state's newly-enacted criminal justice reforms."

Hogan started her legal career as a prosecutor with the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, working briefly under former Rep. Elizabeth Holtzman, and then longtime Brooklyn District Attorney Charles Hynes when they held the top post in the borough.

After leaving the office, she joined the Glens Falls law firm of FitzGerald Morris Baker Firth as an associate. She spent a year as an assistant prosecutor in the Warren County District Attorney's Office before she was elected as its leader.

During her time as Warren County district attorney, Hogan created the Warren-Washington Child Advocacy Center to assist abused children. She also helped launch the Warren County Drug Court, and served at one time as president of the District Attorneys Association of the State of New York.

She was appointed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo to the state Court of Claims two years ago, after which she was designated as an acting state Supreme Court justice in Schenectady County.

Earlier this year, Hogan was selected to serve on the state court system's Criminal Justice Legislation Committee, which was tasked with making recommendations on how the state's new laws will be implemented. They take effect at the beginning of next year.

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