Celebrating a stellar judicial career: Justice Donald Scott Kurtz retires

After an illustrious career spanning over two decades, Justice Donald Kurtz retired at the end of last year, marking the end of a distinguished tenure that has significantly impacted the Kings County Supreme Court.

Justice Kurtz’s judicial journey began in 2000 with his election as a Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York, a position in which he adeptly managed over 100 jury trials and numerous non-jury trials. In 2006, Justice Kurtz’s expertise and dedication led him to the Kings County Supreme Court, where he initially presided over the Central Compliance Part, the Default Judgment Part and the Early Settlement Part. 

Recognizing his exceptional ability to settle cases and his esteemed reputation among both plaintiffs’ and defense bars, Hon. Theodore Jones, the then-administrative judge, appointed Justice Kurtz to the Jury Coordinating Part. Judge Kurtz compared that experience to the captain of a ship, navigating the “controlled chaos” of managing civil cases ready for trial.

Throughout his tenure in the Supreme Court, Justice Kurtz was known for his even temperament, a quality he credits to the Hon. Sebastian Leone, under whom he clerked for nearly 15 years. Justice Kurtz believed in maintaining calm and reasonableness in the courtroom, a practice that, coupled with his negotiation skills, facilitated the resolution of countless cases. His approach was simple yet effective: to know when to be firm and when flexibility could lead to a settlement, thus ensuring the best outcomes for those involved.