Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard announced the appointment of Tamika A. Coverdale as the newest Mount Vernon City Court Judge. Coverdale was sworn in on October 17, at City Hall, and was selected through a competitive vetting and interview process with the Mayor’s Judicial Committee, chaired by William Wagstaff III, Esq.
Judge Coverdale will fill the vacancy left by the passing of Judge William Edwards. 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, and 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. I am confident in Tamika Coverdale’s leadership, judicial knowledge, and compassion that she will bring to the Mt. Vernon City Court,”
Judge Coverdale said, “I am honored that Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard has afforded me the opportunity to continue to serve the people of this great city in the 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.
