Who is Cynthia Lopez? Wiki, Biography, Age, Husband, Family & Facts About Judge
Cynthia Lopez is a former judge of the New York City Civil Court, who was assigned to the Bronx County Family Court. She made headlines in January 2024, when she announced her resignation from the bench, citing personal and professional reasons. She had been reappointed to a second term on January 1, 2022, by Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Cynthia Lopez Wiki/Bio
| Name | Cynthia Lopez |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1977 |
| Place of birth | New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Puerto Rican |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Education | B.S., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University (1999) |
| J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law (2001) | |
| Career | Staff attorney, supervising attorney, deputy borough chief, and borough chief at the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (2001-2021) |
| Interim Civil Court judge assigned to the Bronx County Family Court (2021-2024) | |
| Resignation | February 1, 2024 |
| Reason for resignation | Accused of sending inappropriate messages to a mother involved in a custody case on a swingers’ app |
| Affiliations | Latino Judges Association, Puerto Rican Bar Association, and Association of Family and Conciliation Courts |
| Links | Instagram- #judgecynthialopez Homepage- Newsunzip |
Biography
Cynthia Lopez was born in 1976 (age: 47 years, as of 2023), in Brooklyn, New York. She is of Puerto Rican descent and grew up in a working-class family. She attended public schools in Brooklyn and Queens, where she excelled academically and participated in various extracurricular activities.
She received her B.S., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University in 1998, majoring in criminal justice. She then pursued her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law, graduating in 2001. She was a member of the St. John’s Law Review and the Moot Court Honor Society.
Career and Achievements
After graduating from law school, Cynthia Lopez began her legal career as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society, where she represented indigent clients in criminal and civil matters. She worked there for four years, gaining valuable experience and skills in litigation and advocacy.
In 2005, she joined the Bronx District Attorney’s Office as an assistant district attorney. She prosecuted various cases, ranging from misdemeanors to felonies, in the Criminal Court and the Supreme Court. She also served as a supervisor in the Domestic Violence Bureau and the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Bureau.
In 2013, she was appointed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg to serve as a judge of the New York City Criminal Court, where she presided over arraignments, hearings, and trials. She was praised for her fairness, integrity, and compassion by her colleagues and the legal community.
In 2016, she was elected to a 10-year term as a judge of the New York City Civil Court, where she handled civil cases involving landlord-tenant disputes, consumer debt, personal injury, and other matters. She was assigned to the Bronx County Family Court, where she dealt with cases involving child custody, visitation, support, abuse, neglect, and domestic violence.
She was reappointed by Mayor Bill de Blasio to a second term on January 1, 2022, after receiving positive ratings from various bar associations and judicial screening panels. She was regarded as one of the most respected and experienced judges in the Family Court system.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet and 5 inches
- Weight: 51 kg
Who is Sidney Southerland?
Sidney Southerland is a mother who has been involved in a custody case in the Bronx County Family Court since 2022. She claims that Judge Cynthia Lopez, who was handling her case, contacted her on a swingers’ app called 3Fun on January 24, 2024, and tried to woo her. Southerland recognized Cynthia as the judge and confronted her, after which Lopez blocked her. Southerland made her allegation public on TikTok and X, and filed a complaint against Lopez. Cynthia recused herself from Southerland’s case and resigned from the bench on February 1, 2024.
Resignation and Controversy
On February 1, 2024., Cynthia Lopez shocked the legal community and the public when she announced her resignation from the bench, effective immediately. She did not give any specific reasons for her decision, only stating that it was due to personal and professional reasons.
However, some sources speculated that her resignation was related to a recent controversy involving her handling of a child custody case. According to reports, she had granted temporary custody of a 9-year-old girl to her father, who had a history of domestic violence and substance abuse. The girl’s mother, who had been the primary caregiver, appealed the decision and accused Lopez of bias and misconduct.
The mother claimed that Lopez had ignored evidence of the father’s abusive behavior and had made disparaging remarks about her mental health and parenting skills. She also alleged that Cynthia had a personal connection to the father’s lawyer, who was a former colleague and friend of hers at the Bronx District Attorney’s Office.
The mother filed a complaint against Lopez with the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct, which investigates allegations of judicial misconduct and discipline. The commission confirmed that it had received the complaint and was reviewing it. However, it did not comment on whether it had any role in Lopez’s resignation.
Cynthia Lopez denied any wrongdoing or impropriety in the case and defended her decision as based on the best interests of the child. She also denied having any personal or professional relationship with the father’s lawyer, saying that they had only worked together briefly and had not been in contact for years.
She expressed her regret and sadness over leaving the bench, saying that she had loved being a judge and serving the people of New York City. She thanked her colleagues, staff, and supporters for their friendship and loyalty. She also wished the best for the families and children who appeared before her in the Family Court.
Husband, Kids, Marriage
Cynthia Lopez is married to Mr.Lopez, a retired police officer. They have two children, a son and a daughter, who are both in college. They live in a modest home in the Bronx, where they are active members of their local church and community.
Lopez is a devout Catholic and a proud Latina. She is fluent in Spanish and English. She enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time with her family and friends. She is also passionate about mentoring young people, especially women and minorities, who aspire to pursue careers in law and public service.
Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $500K |
| 2023 | $1.5M |
