CENTRAL ISLIP, NY – On Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Matthew G. Kiernan was sworn into office as a Suffolk County District Court Judge in a small ceremony at the County Center in Riverhead. Kiernan was recently appointed to this position by County Executive Edward Romaine after the County Legislature unanimously voted for him to fill a seat in the Third Judicial District left vacant by Judge Bronwyn Black-Kelly, who was elected to the Supreme Court in 2025.
Many dignitaries, judges, and members of the legal community gathered in the Office of the Public Administrator – Kiernan’s former office – to honor the new judge in his appointment, including County Executive Romaine, District Administrative Judge Hon. Andrew Crecca, former Chief Administrative Judge of New York Hon. A. Gail Prudenti, and Suffolk County Surrogate Hon. Vincent Messina. Judge Kiernan took his oath of office before Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo.
Judge Kiernan, of Cold Spring Harbor, brings to the bench nearly 40 years of extensive legal experience, having held varied roles in both the public and private sectors. He was twice appointed Suffolk’s Public Administrator, first from 1998-2002 and again from 2018-2023, and he previously served as Special Counsel to the Chief Administrative Judge of New York and as Special Counsel to the Executive Director for New York’s Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children. Judge Kiernan also held the roles of Deputy Clerk, and then Clerk of the Court for the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department.
Throughout his expansive legal career, Judge Kiernan also served as Principal Law Clerk to the Suffolk County Surrogate, as an Assistant Town Attorney for the Town of Southold, and a Special Assistant District Attorney for Suffolk County. He has worked as Counsel for the firms Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Breitstone, LLP, and Burner Prudenti Law PC, and as an Associate at Newman Schlau Fitch & Burns PC, and Connor and Weber PC. He also is a certified arbitrator and mediator.
Kiernan has engaged in assorted roles within professional and community organizations, evincing the new judge’s dedication to public service. He has held several roles on the law school faculty at Hofstra University, and has been an active part of several committees with the New York State and Suffolk County Bar Associations. Judge Kiernan is a 1986 graduate of Villanova University School of Law and 1982 graduate of The Johns Hopkins University.
“I want to thank the many judges I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career, each of whom served as an outstanding role model for my professional and personal development,” Kiernan said following his swearing-in ceremony. “I am also deeply grateful to the many individuals who supported and encouraged my aspiration to serve on the bench, whether directly or behind the scenes. Their guidance and encouragement helped make this moment possible. I look forward to serving the people of Suffolk County in this new role, and I will strive to carry out my responsibilities with dedication, integrity, and respect for the rule of law.”
“Judge Kiernan’s legal experience, professionalism, and commitment to the justice system will serve him well in this new role,” said District Administrative Judge Crecca. “The Suffolk County Courts are fortunate to welcome him to the bench.” Kiernan will be assigned to a civil part in the Third District Court in Huntington.
