RM
Rita Mella
Surrogate's Court judge, New York County, since Jan. 2013 · Admitted to the New York bar in 1992
On the Democratic line for Surrogate, New York County, in the Nov. 3, 2026 general election.
Broadway Democrats +2
General Election
ELECTION WAS NOV 3
Judge of the Surrogate's Court, New York County · Manhattan (New York County)
Uncontested
Rita Mella is the only candidate on the ballot for this seat. You can also write in a candidate whose name isn't printed on the ballot.
One candidate on the ballot for Manhattan's Surrogate's Court seat
Rita Mella, a judge of this court since Jan. 2013, is the only candidate. The June 23, 2026 Democratic primary was canceled, and she advanced without appearing on a primary ballot.
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Professional record
Experience, selected cases, and qualification assessments. Case coverage is still developing.
1 candidate · 6 selected case examples · 0 candidates with evaluations
Rita Mella · New York County Surrogate's Court judge who issued the order that was appealed.
Motion to dismiss denied; upheld on appeal
Rita Mella · New York County Surrogate's Court judge who entered the order that was appealed.
Order in a Surrogate's Court case; upheld on appeal
Rita Mella · New York County Surrogate's Court judge who entered the order that was appealed.
Order in a Surrogate's Court case; reversed on appeal
Rita Mella · New York County Surrogate's Court judge who entered the decree.
Decree in a Surrogate's Court case
Rita Mella · New York Surrogate's Court judge who signed the published opinion.
Published Surrogate's Court opinion
Rita Mella · Judge of the Criminal Court of the City of New York who signed the published opinion.
Published Criminal Court opinion
Researched & verified Oct 1, 2026. Compiled from verified public sources; claims that failed verification are excluded.
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