All About the Honorable Laura T. Swain

Who is Laura T. Swain?

Laura T. Swain received her undergraduate degree at Radcliff University, a women's college that was part of Harvard University, and graduated in 1979. She received her law degree from Harvard in 1982. Swain was a law clerk from 1982 to 1983 for federal judge Constance Motley. Swain practiced law in a private practice from 1982 to1996, then as a New York state bankruptcy court judge from 1996 to 2000. She also served on the New York State Board of Law Examiners from 1986 to 1996. In 2000, Swain was appointed by President Bill Clinton to be the Federal Judge for Southern New York.

Any Interesting Financial Stuff?

Based on financial records, Swain has been a board member of the Havens Relief Fund Society for about 20 years. Havens Relief Fund Society is a grant-based nonprofit organization based in New York City. This organization helps at-risk families and youth living below the poverty line. Swain also owns a variety of stocks, with some estimated of being worth around $500,000. She has also spoken at numerous universities and conferences around the world about bankruptcy law and was reimbursed for her time there. Swain taught law at Yeshiva University in 2011, but has not been an adjunct professor since. Swain has also been a board member of the Coalition for Consumer Bankruptcy Debtor Education for the majority of her career. Throughout her career, Swain has received few gifts, with the most expensive one being a $700 glass award from the New York County Lawyers Association. It is also noted on her financial statements that Swain is in a notable amount of credit card debt year after year. Overall, Swain’s finances appear to be fairly pristine and mundane.

What About the Prisons?

Though Swain has served as the judge for many important cases, one of her upcoming cases is one that could entirely change the New York State corrections system. Swain will soon be ruling on whether or not Rikers Island and other New York City prisons should be taken over by the federal government. In the past, the mayor of New York City is in charge of all corrections facilities in the five boroughs. It is looking like she might be siding against the city of New York on this case. Swain has stated publicly that she doesn’t support the standards and living conditions of New York City prisons under Mayor Eric Adams’ watch. These reservations over inmate conditions might give the federal government a better chance of taking control over these corrections facilities. If Swain chooses to hand off the responsibility of Rikers Island to the federal government, the government would then have the choice to stop Rikers Island from shutting down. Swain tends to vote democratically, but voting on behalf of the feds would be snubbing Democratic Mayor Eric Adams who made campaign promises about fixing New York City corrections facilities.