MASSENA – Massena native L. Michael Mackey was sworn in Tuesday as a Justice of the New York State Supreme Court.

He will serve in New York’s Third Judicial District which is comprised of Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties.

Justice Mackey took the oath of office during a ceremony at the Albany County Court House. The Honorable Leslie E. Stein administered the oath.

Justice Mackey was born in Massena and graduated from Holy Family School in 1974. He is the son of the late Lawrence and Helen Mackey of Massena.

Justice Mackey earned his bachelor’s degree from Siena College in Loudonville, n 1978, and his Juris Doctorate from Albany Law School in 1981.

He served as a confidential law clerk to Albany County Court Judge John Clyne from 1981 to 1984. He later served as Town of New Scotland attorney from 2004 to 2011.

Justice Mackey is a partner and founding member of the Albany law firm of Feeney, Centi & Mackey. He also served as a member of the Albany County Legislature and held the position of Chairman of the Law Committee and as a member of the Audit and Finance and Public Works committees.

“I think it is very important to elect judges who have significant experience practicing law,” said Mackey. “There is no other way to really understand the challenges and concerns of attorneys practicing before the court, of the stresses faced by their clients, witnesses and even jurors. I believe my experience will be an asset to the court and, more importantly, of value to people who come before the court.”

He and his wife, the former Martha Richardson of Canton, reside in Voorheesville, with their three children, Patrick, Ethan and Lauren.

State Supreme Court Justices are elected to 10-year terms with a salary of $193,000 for 2017.