SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner announced she intends to appoint Derrek Thomas to replace Judge Stephen Dougherty on the Syracuse City Court.
Dougherty plans to resign his seat effective Dec. 31 following his election to serve as a judge on Onondaga County Court.
Thomas, 41, is currently director of personnel and labor relations for the City of Syracuse.
“Derrek Thomas is an excellent attorney who has provided exemplary service to the City of Syracuse in administrative hearings, negotiations, court proceedings and arbitrations,” Miner said in a news release issued Monday afternoon. “His professionalism and demeanor have enabled him to serve the people of the City of Syracuse and he will make a strong addition to the City Court bench.”
Thomas has served as director of personnel and labor relations since 2013. As director, he has been the City’s chief negotiator for all organized labor contracts.
In 2011, he earlier served as an assistant corporation counsel handling labor matters for the City of Syracuse.
In addition, Thomas currently serves on the boards of the Syracuse Model Neighborhood Facility Inc. and the Syracuse Housing Authority.
Thomas has worked as an attorney with Turning Stone Resort Casino LLC/Oneida Indian Nation LLC; the law firm of Mackenzie Hughes, LLP; and the New York State Legislative Bill Drafting Commission, Miner’s office said.
Thomas earned his undergraduate and MBA degrees from SUNY Albany and his law degree from Albany Law School.
Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com
