Deborah S. Kearns at a glance
- Current role
- Surrogate
- Court
- Albany County Surrogate's Court
- Jurisdiction
- New York · State
- Judicial service
- January 1, 2025–present
Deborah S. Kearns
Surrogate · Albany County Surrogate's Court
Available research
Biography
Professional career
- Albany Law School of Union University Professor / Adjunct Professor 2008 to Present
- Albany County Surrogate's Court Chief Clerk 2015 to 2024
- Private Practice Attorney 2000 to 2008
- West, a Thomson Reuters Business Commentator 2015 to Present
Judicial service
- Judge Albany Surrogate's Court Elected January 2025 to Present
Education
- Tax New York University · LL.M., 2005
- Siena College · B.S., 1991
- Albany Law School of Union University · J.D., 2000
Courtroom rules and guidance
Recording And Photography
New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms.
Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtainedPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings ↗
Evidence Presentation Control
The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof.
1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCEGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role ↗
Sources
New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster
Identity source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/JudicialDirectoryPart 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=trueGuide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role
Judge research source · HTML · checked July 26, 2026
https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml