Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard Appoints Tamika A. Coverdale to City Court Judge

MOUNT VERNON, NY (Friday, 10/14/22) – Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced the appointment of Tamika A. Coverdale as the newest Mount Vernon City Court Judge. Tamika A. Coverdale will be sworn in on Monday, October 17, 2022 at City Hall. Ms. Coverdale was selected through a competitive vetting and interview process with the Mayor’s Judicial Committee, chaired by William Wagstaff III, Esq., wherein the top two contenders were forwarded to Mayor Patterson-Howard for final consideration. Ms. Coverdale was then selected amongst those nominees to fill the vacancy left by the untimely passing of the Honorable William Edwards who served on the bench for almost 20 years.

Mayor Patterson-Howard said, “The diverse Judicial Committee was comprised of members of all walks of life that have both impacted and been impacted by the justice system to create a diverse panel of thought. I thank the judicial committee for once again coming together and evaluating and elevating the candidates to this esteemed office. Ultimately, I am grateful for all the applicants, reaffirming my belief that Mt. Vernon is wonderful place to work full of talented professionals with a heart for service, and I am confident in Tamika Coverdale’s leadership, judicial knowledge, and compassion she will bring to this position.

Chairman Wagstaff said, “The opportunity to learn about all of the candidates’ professional success thus far, passion for justice, and promise for the future gave me confidence that the bench is in every candidate’s future and personally encountering such an array of talented lawyers in the community, made me even prouder to be a Mount Vernonite.”

Newly appointed City Court Judge Tamika A. Coverdale stated, “I am honored that Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has afforded me the opportunity to continue to serve the people of this great city from a role of City Court Judge. I look forward to bringing the same dedication and leadership skills in working that compliment my colleagues on the Mount Vernon City Court to ensure equality, justice, and fairness in our judicial system as well as protecting the safety and well-being of our residents and families.

Prior to this appointment, Tamika A. Coverdale most recently served as Senior Counsel and Officer of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at The Legal Aid Society of Westchester County. Having begun her education at Cardinal Spelman High School (Bronx, NY), Ms. Coverdale continued at Howard University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and then went on to earn a Juris Doctorate at the University of Maine School of Law, after which she was admitted to the NYS Bar in 2000.

As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Tamika believes in paying it forward in her community where she is a member of Grace Baptist Church. She is a past board member of the Lower Hudson Valley Chapter of the ACLU, a Member of the Westchester County Black Women’s Political Caucus Mount Vernon Chapter, member of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and serves as Vice President of the Howard University Alumni Association of Westchester/Rockland. Ms. Coverdale can often be seen in her community serving on panel discussions and volunteering at events for children, teens, and adults, and educating communities throughout Westchester at “Know Your Rights” forums.

The City will benefit from Ms. Coverdale’s diverse work experience, volunteerism, wealth of knowledge, and genuine concern for her community. Her favorite quote is from Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall: “None of us got where we are solely by pulling ourselves up by our bootstraps’. Please join us in welcoming Tamika A. Coverdale, Esq. our newest Judge.