SDNY Judge Alvin Hellerstein dies at 92 while presiding over Maduro trial

The New York legal establishment lost two high-profile judges in the span of six weeks.

Alvin K. Hellerstein, a U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, died on Wednesday. He was 92. At the time of his death, he was presiding over the narcotics trafficking prosecution of Venezuelan political leader Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cili Flores. Trials in that case are scheduled to begin in June.

Hellerstein’s tenure on the bench spanned more than 25 years. He was nominated by former President Bill Clinton in 1998 after a career in private practice and service in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s corps from 1957 to 1960. During his time on the court, he handled cases involving major political figures, including the 9/11 first responder compensation lawsuits and the Michael Cohen hush money trial involving President Donald Trump and Stormy Daniels.

Judith J. Gische, a former New York State Supreme Court justice, died on Sept. 25 at the age of 70. She had a career focused on matrimonial law, serving in the state court system for approximately 30 years. Her death was attributed to myelodysplastic syndromes, a disorder affecting bone marrow and blood.

Gische joined the bench in 1990 as a Civil Court judge in Brooklyn before winning election to the state Supreme Court and later serving as an associate justice in the First Department Appellate Division. She retired from the judiciary in 2023 and joined the litigation practice at the Manhattan law firm Blank Rome. She grew up in Bayside, Queens, and attended the University at Buffalo for both her undergraduate and law degrees.

Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain of the Southern District of New York issued a statement on Hellerstein’s passing, noting that his energetic service continued until his death. She described him as an insightful lawyer and a dedicated jurist. New York County Lawyers Association President Ronald C. Minkoff wrote that Hellerstein was known for his intellect and practical approach to legal matters. Minkoff also honored Gische, describing her as a leader of the matrimonial bench who handled difficult family situations with firmness and fairness.

The New York Women’s Bar Association acknowledged Gische’s role as a mentor and colleague. Hellerstein, who was born in New York City on Dec. 28, 1933, observed Orthodox Judaism and served as president and chairman of the Board of Jewish Education.