Jeffrey Pearlman

Jeffrey Hayes Pearlman (born 1966) is an Acting Supreme Court Justice in New York County and was formerly the director of the Authorities Budget Office

He previously served as Special Counsel to the Governor, Kathy Hochul and as Special Counsel to the Transition following the resignation of Governor Andrew Cuomo. Pearlman was previously chief of staff and Counsel to the Lieutenant Governor. Prior to this, Jeff served as chief of staff to the New York State Senate Democratic Conference. Also, Jeff was formerly Of Counsel to the law firm Greenberg Traurig, where his field of practice included Government Affairs and litigation, specializing in Ethics, Freedom of Information Law, Election Law and other client related matters. Pearlman also was an Assistant Counsel to Governor David Paterson of New York. He resides in Albany, New York.

Education and early career A 1989 graduate of SUNY New Paltz, Pearlman also graduated from Albany Law School in 2000. He served as a staff person in the New York State Assembly and New York State Senate from 1987 through 2006. He was interviewed by The Business Review for his work with the clinic. He currently serves as an adjunct professor at Albany Law School and The University at Albany, teaching Government Ethics.

He served as a vice president of the New York Democratic Lawyers Council. He has also served as a member of the Albany County, New York Democratic Committee.

Assistant Counsel to Governor Paterson On December 31, 2006, then Lieutenant Governor-elect David Paterson appointed as his counsel.

Special Counsel to Governor Hochul

On August 24, 2021, Kathy Hochul assumed the Governorship of New York. Hochul brought on Pearlman to serve as her special counsel. Pearlman served in this year for one year before returning to the Authorities Budget Office. Pearlman had previously served as her chief of staff when Hochul was lieutenant governor.

Court of Claims

On June 3, 2024, Kathy Hochul nominated Pearlman to sit on the Court of Claims. The NYS Senate confirmed him on June 5, 2024.

He was also appointed an acting Justice on New York's trial court. His decision to declare the district's lines unconstitutional, in January 2026, was upheld by the intermediate appeals court in February 2026. On March 3, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a stay, in effect stopping the lawsuit.