Latin-born Immigrant Historically Becomes Local Family Court Judge
The Honorable Maria Cubillos Reed became the first Latin-born immigrant to serve as a Monroe County Family Court Justice upon taking the oath of office on Mon., July 31, 2023.
"I am deeply honored and humbled by this appointment," said Judge Cubillos Reed. "Being the first Hispanic Family Court Justice in our county fills me with pride, and I am eager to dedicate myself to serving the families of Monroe County."
Governor Kathy Hochul nominated Cubillos Reed for the position, and her appointment was confirmed by the New York State Senate on June 8, 2023.
Monroe County Democratic Committee (MCDC) Chairman Stephen DeVay, who supported Cubillos Reed during her interim appointment as Family Court Judge, noted Judge Cubillos Reed's immigrant background and her experience in advocating for vulnerable communities through her private legal practice as having equipped her with the empathy and competence required “to be a fair and compassionate judge”.
Cubillos Reed and her family immigrated to the United States from Colombia when she was eight years old. She studied at the University of Rochester and later earned her law degree from Boston University. As a law student, she interned at the Legal Aid Society, where she worked extensively with abused immigrant women. After completing her studies, Cubillos Reed returned to Rochester, where she married college sweetheart, Bryan, and started her family.
Judge Cubillos Reed has been actively involved with local community service providers to help families in need find fitting possible legal and practical solutions in her law practice which focused on family, matrimonial, and immigration law.
She has been recognized, honored and awarded by law-related organizations such as: Empire State Counsel, The Daily Record, and the Western New York Bar Association of Women Attorneys for her dedication to pro bono service to low-income individuals. She was also named to the Rochester Business Journal/New York Daily Record Power 50 Law List.
Cubillos Reed is also a candidate for Monroe County Family Court Judge in the upcoming general election on Nov. 7, 2023.
