Justice Annaleigh Porter Appointed to Cayuga Nation Court

Annaleigh Porter has been appointed as judge to the Cayuga Nation Court.

The Cayuga Nation possesses sovereign authority to establish and operate its own justice system, including a court system. As with other Indian nation courts across the United States, the Cayuga Nation Court is one of general jurisdiction, empowered to resolve conflicts and disputes arising within the Nation’s jurisdiction, and to enforce the Nation Penal law. The Nation Court hears civil, criminal and family court cases under the direction of an experienced and independent judge. Criminal cases may be adjudicated by either bench or jury trial. A separate judge of equal stature and impartiality is assigned to preside over appellate proceedings as required.

Porter has significant experience in criminal and civil matters and in presiding in a judicial capacity over disputes as a Title IX Hearing Officer. In this role, she fairly and impartially presides over serious cases of sexual assault and harassment. Porter draws on her extensive experience in high stakes criminal and civil matters throughout state and federal courts when presiding in a judicial capacity.

Porter is also dedicated to public service in several mentorship and volunteer roles. She serves as Past President of the Central New York Women’s Bar Association, is involved with PEACE, Inc., and is a former Big Sister of the Year. She serves on the Board of Directors for Syracuse’s Downtown YMCA and is an Attorney Mentor for Onondaga County’s Assigned Counsel Program helping to train attorneys assigned to represent indigent criminal defendants.

Porter joins Judge Joseph Fahey as a trial court judge on the Nation’s Court. Although Judge Porter will take the lead presiding over the Nation’s family court proceedings, she will also take regular assignments of all types of matters. Judge Fahey was an inaugural member of the Nation’s Court, having previously retired as a long-serving County Court judge. The Nation’s Appellate Court is presided over by Judge Edward Carni, who took the role after a long tenure on the New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Department.