Denise Miranda was nominated by Governor Hochul in March 2024 to serve as the Acting Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights (DHR). The Division is dedicated to eliminating discrimination, remedying injustice and promoting equal opportunity, access, and dignity. Recently, under Governor Kathy Hochul’s leadership, the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit was launched by DHR to help communities combat prejudice and discrimination.

Prior to this, Acting Commissioner Miranda was appointed and Senate confirmed as the Executive Director of the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs for 7 years. Acting Commissioner Miranda has been actively engaged in the practice of law for nearly 30 years focusing her work on social justice issues and protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals. Prior to her appointment as Executive Director of the Justice Center, Acting Commissioner Miranda served for six years as Managing Director of the Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Project (UJC) in New York City. UJC provides direct legal services, impact litigation, research and policy initiatives to achieve economic justice for low and no income New Yorkers. During her tenure Acting Commissioner Miranda facilitated free city-wide legal programs to ensure access to economic supports and federally subsidized housing for low and no income residents while also spearheading diversity equity and inclusion initiatives within the agency. In addition, Acting Commissioner Miranda also served as Co-Chair of the Public Housing Taskforce for the Women’s City Club of New York.

Acting Commissioner Miranda began her legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Domestic Violence and Sex Crimes Bureau of the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. Her extensive experience working with domestic violence survivors served as a foundation for her transition to civil practice working as a Senior Attorney with the Network for Women’s Services and later when she established her own private practice. She graduated from New York University and from St. John’s University School of Law, is a member of the Bar of the State of New York, and is admitted to the Southern and Eastern Federal District Courts. Acting Commissioner Miranda is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, 100 Hispanic Women of Westchester, Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus, the Latina Mentoring Initiative, and a legislatively-appointed member of the Westchester County Hispanic Advisory Board. She is an active volunteer in her community and resides with her family in Westchester County.

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