Press Release

Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced today the appointment of four new Assistant District Attorneys to the Queens District Attorney’s Office. The new ADAs received their degrees from New York University School of Law, University of Virginia School of Law and University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

District Attorney Katz said: “I am pleased to welcome this impressive quartet of talented young lawyers to the Queens District Attorney’s office. This new class will learn about the vital functions of a prosecutor’s office as they begin their work on behalf of the people of Queens County. They will be well prepared to join us in our mission to keep our borough safe, while also ensuring a fairer criminal justice system for all.”

The new Assistant District Attorneys, sworn in on March 30, begin an immersive Incoming Orientation Program that includes lectures and interactive workshops. The new ADAs will shadow experienced prosecutors and interact with the office’s executive staff and senior ADAs to become acquainted with every aspect of the office’s mission. Following the completion of this initial training, the new ADAs will be assigned to the Intake Bureau to work on behalf of the people of Queens County.

After a rotation in the Intake Bureau, the new ADAs will continue training with additional lectures, workshops, shadow rotations and site visits. This intensive training program will include visits to the NYPD’s laboratory, shooting range, Emergency Services Unit and a police precinct. They will also accompany NYPD officers during their tour of duty.

Following the completion of the full training program, the new ADAs will later be assigned to the Domestic Violence Bureau, the Criminal Court Bureau or the Appeals Bureau.

The new prosecutors and the law schools from which they graduated are Benjamin Chesler, New York University School of Law; Mikaela Cordasco, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School; Mia Wolosky, University of Virgina School of Law; and Fred Yu, University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School.

New ADA training is led by Assistant District Attorney Courtney Finnerty, Director of Litigation Training and Legal Hiring, and Assistant District Attorney Courtney Charles, Deputy Director of Litigation Training and Deputy Bureau Chief of Felony Trial Bureau III, under the supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Supreme Court Trial Division Pishoy Yacoub.