Hon. Richard Tsai. Part 21.
Supreme Court, New York County (Manhattan). City and Transit IAS Part. Courtroom and chambers at 80 Centre Street, Room 280. Published Part Rules and practitioner intelligence for attorneys appearing in this part.
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| Court | Supreme Court, New York County |
| Assignment | Part 21, City and Transit IAS Part |
| Courtroom | 80 Centre Street, Room 280 · 646-386-3738 · SFC-Part21-Clerk@nycourts.gov |
| Chambers | 80 Centre Street, Room 280 · 646-386-5251 · SFC-Part21@nycourts.gov |
| Principal Court Attorney | Justin Mahony, Esq. |
| Conference Day | Thursdays. Morning conferences at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m.; afternoon conferences at 2:15 and 3:00 p.m. |
| Discovery Conferences | In person unless the court has granted permission to appear virtually for a particular reason, such as an ADA accommodation |
| Motion Argument | At the direction of the court |
| Summary Judgment | Filed within 120 days after the note of issue |
Published Part Rules
Source: nycourts.gov Part 21 rules, last updated May 5, 2026 | Last verified: August 5, 2026
Conferences
Justice Tsai holds conferences on Thursdays, with morning slots at 9:30, 10:30, and 11:30 a.m. and afternoon slots at 2:15 and 3:00 p.m. All discovery conferences are in person unless the court has granted permission to appear virtually for a particular reason, such as an ADA accommodation. A party that fails to appear within 45 minutes of the scheduled time may be defaulted under 22 NYCRR 202.27. Adjournment of a discovery conference requires the court's approval even where all parties consent. Appearance dates are posted on eTrack.
Oral Argument
Motion argument occurs at the direction of the court. Under 22 NYCRR 202.8(d) and 202.8-f, argument is granted when all appearing parties request it; otherwise the court generally does not grant it except where it wants particular issues addressed. Argument is scheduled after the motion is fully submitted. A virtual appearance for oral argument is granted only where all appearing parties consent and all appearing parties have participated in e-filing, so do not assume a remote appearance.
Motion Practice
All papers are e-filed through NYSCEF. Summary judgment motions must be filed within 120 days after the note of issue is filed. Part 21 does not require a statement of material facts; Uniform Rule 202.8-g, which had required one where the court so directed, was repealed effective July 7, 2025. Orders to show cause are reserved for genuine urgency or for relief that a statute requires be sought that way, under 22 NYCRR 202.8-d. Proposed judicial subpoenas are emailed to the Part 21 Clerk rather than e-filed, with an attorney affirmation addressing relevance and need.
Communications
Administrative and scheduling questions go to the Part 21 Clerk. The part permits no ex parte communication: any email or letter to the judge or to chambers staff must also go to the opposing party, and a party who wants to telephone chambers must first arrange a conference call with the adversary. Counsel must give prompt notice of a settlement, a bankruptcy filing, or the death of a party. The part rules incorporate 22 NYCRR 202.2 et seq. and the Local Rules of the Supreme Court, New York County, and the part rules control where they conflict.
Practitioner Intelligence
From attorneys who have appeared in this part. Last updated: August 5, 2026.
What to Expect
Part 21 is the City and Transit IAS Part, and it runs conferences on Thursdays out of Room 280 at 80 Centre Street. Discovery conferences are in person unless the court has already granted permission to appear virtually. Virtual oral argument is narrower still: every appearing party must consent and every appearing party must have participated in e-filing, so one holdout puts you back in the courtroom.
Tips
- Default to in person. Discovery conferences are in person absent court permission, and virtual argument requires both all-party consent and all-party e-filing participation. If you have not locked that down, plan on appearing at 80 Centre Street.
- Be there within 45 minutes. A party who does not appear within 45 minutes of the scheduled conference time may be defaulted under 22 NYCRR 202.27.
- Get court approval to adjourn a conference. Consent of all parties is not enough; the court must approve the adjournment of a discovery conference.
- Skip the statement of material facts. Part 21 does not require one, and Uniform Rule 202.8-g was repealed effective July 7, 2025.
- Email subpoenas, do not file them. Proposed judicial subpoenas go to the Part 21 Clerk by email with an attorney affirmation on relevance and need.
- Copy your adversary on everything. The part treats any unilateral email or letter to the judge or to chambers as an ex parte communication.
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