Lara K. Eshkenazi was sworn in as a magistrate judge for the Eastern District of New York on May 20, 2024. She spoke recently with the Federal Bar Council Quarterly about her career and her path to serving as a federal judge.
The Public Service Pathway to the Bench
Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi’s love of being in the courtroom inspired her to become a lawyer. This passion began at a young age. She would watch her father – a forensic psychiatrist who often testified in court – on the witness stand and observe the trial attorneys argue. To Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi, the courtroom scene was appealing. Taking a trial advocacy course in law school confirmed her goal of being in the courtroom.
In 1992, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi graduated from Vassar College with an A.B. in English with general honors. Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi subsequently earned her law degree cum laude from Boston University Law School.
After graduating from law school, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi served as a law clerk for Judge Nicholas Tsoucalas of the U.S. Court of International Trade. During her clerkship, Judge Tsoucalas often shared how much he loved serving as a criminal court judge earlier in his career. These conversations, as well as Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi’s desire to serve the public, her excitement about doing trials, and her interest in criminal law led her to join the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office following her clerkship. Judge Eshkenazi served as an assistant district attorney for five years, handling a wide range of felony prosecutions.
In February 2003, ready for a new challenge and eager to practice in federal court, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi became an assistant U.S. attorney in the Civil Division of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York. Though she was interested in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi said that she would be willing to serve where the Office had the greatest need.
Ultimately, the Civil Division ended up being the perfect fit, and the place where Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi would spend the next twenty-one years of her career, until her appointment as a magistrate judge. In the Civil Division, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi worked on a variety of cases, particularly affirmative litigation and civil rights cases, which she describes as one of the most rewarding parts of her career.
Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi describes public service work as a realm where one can fix issues and have a real impact, freed from the interest of a private client. In contrast to lawyers at big firms with an abundance of resources, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi learned how to do more with less. She emphasizes that the tools available to civil litigators can be utilized to help as many people as possible.
In particular, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi recalls one particular civil rights case where she saw a problem and worked to fix it. She investigated the accessibility of New York City public elementary schools pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act. She began this investigation after noticing that one of her son’s classmates had to be carried up and down the stairs by her parents so that the student could attend her local zoned school. Due to this investigation and without the need for litigation, New York City set aside funding to make fifty percent of schools accessible. The classmate’s mother sent Judge Magistrate Eshkenazi a heartfelt email thanking her for seeing her daughter.
In the Civil Division, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi rose through the ranks, serving in several supervisory roles, including deputy chief of the Civil Division from 2018 to 2024. She also served as deputy chief of the Civil Frauds Unit and co-chief of the Civil Rights Unit.
Throughout her tenure with the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi received many awards, including the Director’s Award for Superior Performance as an Assistant United States Attorney, the Attorney General’s John Marshall Award for outstanding legal achievement for participation in litigation, and the New York City Bar Association’s Henry L. Stimson Medal in recognition of outstanding work as an assistant U.S. attorney.
When asked who inspires her, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi cites former Magistrate Judge James Cott, whom she views as a mentor. Magistrate Judge Cott served as chief of the Civil Division when Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi was an assistant U.S. attorney and he served as a magistrate judge in the Southern District of New York until August of this year. Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi has learned from Magistrate Judge Cott’s work ethic and his skill in settling cases, in addition to his ability to make litigants feel heard. She sees Judge Cott as a role model in how to conduct oneself on the bench.
The Bench
After twenty-one years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi became a magistrate judge in the Eastern District of New York. In joining the bench, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi describes a readiness to use her skills and experiences in a different way, while continuing to serve the public. Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi highlights her desire to help litigants resolve cases through the settlement process. She is grateful to the wonderful district judges and magistrate judges on the Eastern District bench, to whom she can turn to for advice.
When asked what guidance she would impart to new lawyers, Judge Eshkenazi emphasizes that collegiality is everything. She stresses the importance of treating everyone with respect, whether that person is a colleague or an adversary. New lawyers should recognize that the good will they can carry throughout their careers is more important than winning a case.
As to advice for lawyers who are appearing before her, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi emphasizes preparation and candor. She expects litigants to know that she will have read all the papers at issue. She also expects that anyone in her courtroom will be respectful and honest. If a litigant does not know the answer to a question asked, it is better to admit that and request the opportunity to submit a supplemental letter, rather than to pretend. Although the parties may disagree with each other, if they understand that everyone is trying to achieve the right result, the experience will be more positive.
When not in the courtroom, Magistrate Judge Eshkenazi enjoys spending time with her family and anything in the creative realm, such as going to the theater and ballet, and ice skating.
Magistrate Judge Lara K. Eshkenazi