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The leadership of New York’s Unified Court System has named a new judge to one of the city’s most consequential courtrooms. Chief Administrative Judge Joseph A. Zayas and First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George announced the appointment of Michael A. Faleck to the New York City Housing Court bench in Kings County, filling a vacancy created by Judge Juliet Howard’s election to the New York City Civil Court.
Judge Faleck will preside over proceedings in the Housing Part of the New York City Civil Court, where disputes between tenants and landlords are resolved daily. His appointment is for a five-year term and takes effect January 1, 2026.
Housing Court is among the busiest courts in New York City and directly affects the stability of neighborhoods and households. Announcing the appointment, Judge Zayas emphasized the court’s central role in city life.
“New York City Housing Court plays a vital role in protecting the rights of tenants and landlords alike, directly affecting the daily lives of New Yorkers,” said Judge Zayas. “Michael Faleck possesses a wealth of legal experience, astute judgment, an even temperament, and a passion for the law and equal justice. His appointment enhances our ability to meet the demands of this high-volume court.”
Judge Faleck brings a deep background in housing and appellate law to the bench. Since June 2023, he has served as a Principal Court Attorney with the Appellate Term, Second Department, where he researched and analyzed complex legal issues and drafted confidential case reports and slip opinions.
Before that role, he worked as a Senior Principal Law Clerk to New York State Court of Appeals Associate Judge Anthony Cannataro and previously served as Principal Law Clerk to Judge Cannataro during his tenure on the New York County Supreme Court bench. From 2015 to 2018, Judge Faleck worked directly in New York City Housing Court as a Court Attorney, conferencing cases, drafting decisions, and conducting legal research.
First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George highlighted the relevance of that experience.
“Michael Faleck has an extensive legal background in housing-related matters that, along with his hard work, fairness, integrity, and public service orientation, will be assets to the New York City Civil Court’s Housing Part,” said Judge St. George.
Judge Faleck began his legal career as a Law Secretary in the Queens County Supreme Court’s Civil Term. He later worked as an associate at Newman Ferrara LLP, where his responsibilities included editing a handbook on landlord-tenant law.
He is a graduate of Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he earned a full academic scholarship, and is a member of the Small Claims Arbitrators Association.
In accepting the appointment, Judge Faleck expressed appreciation for the opportunity and those who supported his career.
“Thank you to the judicial leadership for this amazing opportunity, to all those who supported me along the way, and to my colleagues for their ongoing support. I am humbled and honored to have been selected for this role, and to be joining in the extraordinarily important and impactful work of the New York City Housing Court,” said Judge Faleck.
Judge Zayas also acknowledged the service of Judge Juliet Howard, whose election to Civil Court created the vacancy.
“We are thankful to outgoing Judge Howard for her contributions to Brooklyn’s Housing Court bench throughout her five-year tenure and commend her on her election to New York City Civil Court, where her judicial expertise will continue to benefit Brooklynites,” Judge Zayas said.
With Judge Faleck’s appointment set to begin in 2026, Brooklyn’s Housing Court prepares for a new chapter under a jurist whose career has been closely tied to the legal issues that define housing justice in New York City.