Paula Metzler

Judge Metzler was elected Town Justice on November 5, 2019. Prior to her judicial role, she served as a Penfield Town Councilwoman from 2009 to 2019.

A third-generation Penfield resident, Judge Metzler graduated from Penfield High School, the University of Rochester, and Boston College Law School. She is also a Deputy Monroe County Attorney, practicing in County, Supreme, and Surrogate Courts. In her role, she provides counsel to the Department of Human Services, focusing on cases related to public assistance and Medicaid eligibility, fraud, guardianships, and financial recovery from lawsuits and estate matters.

Before becoming a Deputy County Attorney, Judge Metzler worked for the New York State Office of Court Administration as Chief Counsel to the New York Committee on Criminal Jury Instructions. This distinguished committee, comprising judges and attorneys, writes and publishes the pattern criminal jury instructions used in courts across the state. Additionally, she was a faculty member at the New York Judicial Institute, where she frequently lectured judges on jury trials and criminal law topics.

Judge Metzler is also a trained mediator and one of only 25 mediators nationwide selected as an arbitrator for disputes involving the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

As a parent of a child with special needs, Judge Metzler actively participates in and volunteers with the New York Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics. Her family is involved with AutismUp, an organization that supports individuals with autism and their families by providing enriching recreational and learning opportunities in the Rochester area.