Judge Isalesbegan her legal career as a paralegal and advocate at the Legal Aid Society, helping low-income families with children keep their homes and their social service benefits.
While working at the Legal Aid Society and raising her son, Judge Isales received her Bachelor’s Degree from the City College of the City University of New York in 1999 and then went on to earn her Juris Doctor from the Fordham University School of Law in 2005.
After graduating from law school, Judge Isales served as an Assistant District Attorney at the Bronx County District Attorney’s office. While a prosecutor, she also served as the District Attorney’s representative at the 44th Precinct’s monthly Precinct Council meetings and participated in many other community outreach programs. After five years, Judge Isales left the DA’s office and accepted a position as a Staff Attorney in the Municipal Employees Legal Services division of DC37, providing city employees and union members with legal services and representation in their housing matters. After leaving DC#37 Judge Isales served as a Court Attorney Housing Court, Civil Court and Supreme Court in both Criminal and Civil divisions.
Due to her long commitment to equity in the justice system, Judge Isales served as the Borough Coordinator for the Court Navigator Program under the New York State Access to Justice Program in New York County and also served as a Panel Member of the New York State Unified Court System’s Anti-Discrimination Panel.
Judge Isales also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice at Monroe College, has taught Continuing Legal Education courses for the New York State Judicial Institute, and also served as CLE Instructor and mentor for New York County Lawyers Association’s Legal Counseling Program. Judge Isales also volunteers to judge moot court competitions on the high school, college and law school levels and serves as a mentor for young people interested in the legal profession.
Judge Isales is also a Board member of several local, community-based organizations. Judge Isales serves on the board of ACACIA Network where she is the Vice-chair of the Transitional Housing branch. She is also the secretary of the Latino Alumni Association of the City University of New York at City College and is also a Board member of the Boys and Girls Club of America’s New Rochelle Chapter.
Judge Isales was also an Executive Officer of Bronx Community Board #10 until she was elected to the Bench. Judge Isales in active member of the Bronx Women’s Bar Association, Bronx County Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar association, the National Association of Women Judges and various other Bar associations and Civic organizations.
Judge Isales is a lifelong Bronx resident, who has dedicated her life to public service on behalf of the people of New York City and has served our community with distinction. She is proud to be a product of our public school system, a mother, daughter and grandmother.
These experiences have defined Judge Isales’ professional career and given her a unique perspective on the needs of our community in its encounters with our legal system. Driven by her commitment to excellence, diversity and representation on the bench, Judge Isales now serves as a Civil Court Judge of the City of New York working to expand our community’s access to justice, fairness, and equality.