Judith J. Gische, a former New York State Supreme Court justice known for her role in Rudy Giuliani’s high-profile divorce, died on September 25 in Manhattan at the age of 70. Her husband, Steven A. Schurkman, confirmed the death, which was attributed to complications of myelodysplastic syndromes, a group of disorders affecting the bone marrow and blood, according to her daughter-in-law, Rachel Musiker.
Throughout a judicial career spanning three decades, Gische made significant contributions to matrimonial law, frequently encouraging couples to reach settlements regarding custody, assets, and financial support outside of court to avoid prolonged litigation. Colleagues noted her early experience as a housing court judge helped her manage cases involving individuals representing themselves, which proved beneficial in family law matters. She consistently emphasized the well-being of children in her rulings.
Gische gained public recognition for her management of the contentious divorce proceedings between then-New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his wife, Donna Hanover, in the early 2000s. The case drew widespread media attention after Giuliani announced his separation at a press conference in May 2000, blindsiding Hanover, a television personality and actress. Giuliani, battling prostate cancer and accusing Hanover of neglect during his chemotherapy, filed for divorce in October of that year. The couple continued to live at Gracie Mansion, the mayoral residence, until Giuliani relocated to a friend’s apartment the following year.
During the divorce, Gische ruled in favor of Hanover’s request to restrict Giuliani’s children from contacting his then-paramour, Judith Nathan, who later married and divorced Giuliani. She also prohibited Nathan from entering Gracie Mansion, where Hanover lived with their children, Andrew and Caroline. Gische underscored that the children’s interests took precedence over Giuliani’s romantic relationships. Nathan had previously accompanied Giuliani to public events such as receptions and press conferences.
Gische rebuffed criticism over her decisions, noting that public opinion polls conducted after her ruling showed agreement with her stance. She also admonished Giuliani and his legal team for publicly attacking Hanover, urging both parties to exercise personal restraint despite the court’s lack of authority to prevent media statements.
Born on January 22, 1956, in Queens, Gische was raised in Bayside and graduated from Martin Van Buren High School in 1974. She attended Queens College before completing her bachelor’s degree at the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1977, majoring in philosophy. She earned her Juris Doctor from the University at Buffalo School of Law in 1980, where she met her future husband.
After clerking in Albany and initially pursuing real estate law, Gische transitioned to the judiciary, beginning as a housing court judge in Brooklyn in 1990. She was elected to New York City’s Civil Court in 1993 and served as an acting Supreme Court justice in Manhattan and the Bronx from 2004 until her election to the State Supreme Court in 2008. In 2012, she was appointed associate justice of the appellate division in Manhattan. Over her career, she participated in rulings on more than 6,000 appeals, authoring 38 decisions. Gische retired in 2023 and joined the Manhattan law firm Blank Rome.
She is survived by her husband, two sons, Zachary and Ethan, a grandson, and a sister, Amy Gische Lyons.