Judge Michael J. Hartofilis: Professional Background and Legal Expertise

The Hon. Michael John Hartofilis is a judge for the Criminal Court of the City of New York in Bronx County. He was appointed to the bench by former Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2019.

Hartofilis began his judicial career as a judge for the Civil Court of the City of New York, a position to which Mayor de Blasio appointed him in 2018.

Prior to his appointment, Hartofilis spent twenty-three years handling criminal defense matters as a sole practitioner in Astoria, a law practice he established in 1996. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney with the Queens County District Attorney’s Office (1987 to 1996).

Hartofilis received a bachelor’s degree (1982) and a master’s degree (1983) from New York University. He went on to complete a J.D. at Temple University, James E. Beasley School of Law, in 1986.

Hartofilis originates from Nisyros, Greece, and his wife, Maria Barous-Hartofilis, a fellow attorney, is from Andros, Greece. They are both past presidents of the Hellenic Lawyers Association.