Megan Dorr, an accomplished court attorney with nearly 20 years of legal experience, has officially announced her candidacy for the position of Oneida County Surrogate Judge in the upcoming 2026 election. This role is currently held by the Honorable Louis Gigliotti, who will reach the mandatory retirement age in that year.
In her announcement, Dorr emphasized her commitment to serving the community. “I’m running for Surrogate Court Judge to bring my decades of experience to serve the people of Oneida County,” she stated. “Surrogate’s Court handles some of the most sensitive issues families face. This work demands compassion, diligence, fairness and a deep respect for the law. I have devoted my career to these principles, and I’m uniquely prepared to serve as your next Surrogate Judge.”
Dorr, aged 46, has deep roots in the Mohawk Valley and currently serves as the principal court attorney to the Oneida County Surrogate’s Court. In this capacity, she mediates complex cases, manages daily legal operations, provides counsel on intricate estate and guardianship matters, drafts judicial decisions, and ensures compliance with procedural and statutory requirements.
Her previous experience includes over a decade as a principal attorney with the Mental Hygiene Legal Service’s Fourth Department. There, she was involved in trying cases under the mental hygiene law, preparing expert testimony, and leading the office’s transition to electronic filing and virtual court proceedings during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Before her tenure with the Mental Hygiene Legal Service, Dorr worked on civil litigation and trusts and estates matters at Kernan & Kernan, P.C. in Utica. She also served as a Law Clerk to Chief Bankruptcy Judge John C. Ninfo II in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York, gaining critical insights into the judicial process.
Dorr is a member of the Republican Party and resides in Clinton with her husband, Dennis, and their two children. “I was born and raised in the Mohawk Valley, and my husband and I chose to settle in Oneida County to raise our two children here,” she remarked. “If elected as your next Surrogate Court Judge, I will work every day to ensure that the Court remains fair, efficient, accessible and faithful to both the law and the values we share.”
The general election is set for Tuesday, November 3, 2026, marking a pivotal moment for Dorr as she seeks to contribute her extensive legal expertise to the Surrogate Court.
