Senior Federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein Dies at 92

Senior Federal Judge Alvin K. Hellerstein died Wednesday at the age of 92. Appointed to the federal bench in 1998 by President Bill Clinton, Hellerstein remained active into his 90s, managing a caseload that included some of the most high-profile legal battles in Manhattan.

In recent rulings, Hellerstein rejected attempts by President Donald Trump to move a hush money conviction to federal court. He also presided over the October arraignment of former Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, who face charges of torture and narco-terrorism conspiracy. The Maduro trial is scheduled for next June.

Hellerstein's judicial legacy was heavily defined by his oversight of wrongful death and injury lawsuits following the September 11 attacks. In 2010, he notably rejected a $575 million settlement for workers exposed to toxic ash, arguing the terms were insufficient. Chief Judge Laura Taylor Swain praised his energetic and dedicated service to the court.

Following his death, Hellerstein's current cases will be randomly reassigned to other federal judges.