Buffalo, NY – December 6, 2019 – John L. Sinatra, Jr. was sworn in today as a United States District Judge for the Western District of New York. U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., Chief Judge, presided today over the private ceremony held at the Robert H. Jackson Courthouse in Buffalo, New York, surrounded by family and friends. Judge Sinatra was nominated by President Donald Trump on May 15, 2018, confirmed by the full United States Senate on December 4, 2019, and received his commission from the President on December 5, 2019. Judge Sinatra is filling the vacancy left when Judge William M. Skretny assumed senior status on March 8, 2015. As a United States District Judge, Judge Sinatra has a lifetime appointment.

     Judge Sinatra received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Buffalo graduating magna cum laude and continued at the University of Buffalo School of Law to earn his Juris Doctor degree. Following law school, Judge Sinatra served as a law clerk for the New York State Court of Appeals from 1996 to 1998. He practiced in the litigation department for Jones Day, after which he was appointed to the General Counsel Office of the United States Department of Commerce. He was the third ranked lawyer in a 400-attorney department. After he departed this position, he then joined Hodgson Russ LLP where he has practiced as a partner until his confirmation as a United States District Judge.

     As a private attorney, Judge Sinatra handled complex civil cases of numerous Fortune 500 companies, individuals, and other significant clients involving high-stakes, multi-jurisdictional litigation matters. He has also served as a mediator on many complex litigation matters in the areas of product liability claims, class actions, the False Claims Act, forum disputes, supply and indemnification agreements, unfair competition claims, bankruptcy-related issues, and other commercial disputes.

     Chief Judge Geraci stated, “Judge Sinatra is a welcome addition to our district that has waited nearly 5 years for this vacancy to be filled. The Western District of New York is a congested court due to the heavy case load that exists in this district. His commitment to the justice system combined with his years of practice will serve this district well.” The district is considered number one in the country for social security appeals with more than 1,200 cases annually. Judge Sinatra is now one of four active district judges, five senior district judges, five magistrate judges and two recall magistrate judges in the district which encompasses both Buffalo and Rochester and the 17 counties that reside within the district.

Judge Sinatra is married to Jenny Sinatra and the father of two sons, Alexander and Matthew.

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