Brooklyn Bar Association welcomes confirmation of Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson

Ketanji Brown Jackson made history last week when she was formally confirmed by the US Senate to the Supreme Court, and the significance of that confirmation has not been lost on the local legal community.

“The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association congratulates Ketanji Brown Jackson on his confirmation to the Supreme Court of the United States,” said BWBA President Madeline Kirton. “Her confirmation not only symbolizes a historic day for women, but also marks a victory for all who value diversity, inclusion and excellence.”

The Brooklyn Bar Association drafted a statement with help from President Armena Gayle and Joy Thompson, chair of the BBA’s Diversity Committee.

“The Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA) welcomes the news that the United States Senate has confirmed the nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States, making her the first African-American woman to serve on that esteemed bench. “, reads the press release.

“The BBA also recognizes that its path to confirmation has been difficult,” the statement continued. “Despite her impeccable qualifications, including graduating magna cum laude from Harvard University, graduating cum laude from Harvard Law School, the Clerk of the Supreme Court of United States, Stephen Breyer, and confirmation by the United States Senate as vice-chairman of the United States Sentencing Commission, the United States District Court for the District of Columbia and the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit, some have attempted to dismiss the judge and her case as politically tainted and, therefore, unacceptable.

The statement goes on to describe the two days of questioning Brown Jackson received from the Senate Judiciary Committee, including irrelevant questions.

“As an extraordinary member of the judiciary, Judge Brown Jackson relied on her impeccable judicial skill and temperament to push through blunt and absurd questions and comments that had no relevance or direct correlation to the duties at hand. incumbent on him to serve on the highest court in the land. The petty charade that was designed to serve as an obstacle to his confirmation has only served to show and underscore to the American people why his selection to the Supreme Court of the United States is the correct and wise choice.

“His ascension to the Supreme Court is long overdue and well deserved. In a rare and moving speech by the U.S. Senator Corey Booker, he echoed the sentiments of so many who supported Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson’s ascension to the United States Supreme Court by telling Justice Brown Jackson, “You have earned this spot. You are worthy. You are a great American.

President Gayle and Thompson weren’t the only ones to take note of his judicial behavior during the hearings. Anthony Vaughn, Jr.president of the Nathan R. Sobel Inns of Court, called her a role model.

“On behalf of the Nathan R. Sobel Kings County Inn of Court, we congratulate Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson on her confirmation to the United States Supreme Court,” Vaughn said. “Judge Brown Jackson is a role model for everyone as she has demonstrated the ability to handle adversity with poise, grace and intelligence. Without a doubt, Judge Brown Jackson will have a positive impact on the court.

Celebrate a historic first in Brooklyn

On the same day Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed, a local judge also made history. Hon. Lilian Wan was officially inducted as a Kings County Supreme Court Justice during a ceremony at Park Asia on Thursday evening.

Judge Wan, president of the Asian American Judges Association, was the first Asian American judge to be elected to the Brooklyn Supreme Court.

If you haven’t heard of the Asian American Judges Association, it’s relatively new, but it will be hosting its first-ever in-person event – a celebration of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders that will will be held on May 17 at Stout in Manhattan. . The group will honor Judge Toko Serita, who chairs the Queens Human Trafficking Intervention Tribunal. The event will also include a keynote address from Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks.

Announcing the winners Lynn Terrelonge

The process of creating a new award began in November when the BBA’s Diversity Committee wanted to establish a “Gateway to Diversity” award. In January, the association decided to name the award instead after former president Lynn Terrelonge, its first black president.

After some back and forth about the best time to present the award, it was decided that it would be more appropriate to present it at the annual dinner in December. Finally, the winners are ready to be announced.

The first recipients of the Lynn Terrelonge Prize will be Hon. Raja RajeswariActing Justice of the Supreme Court and Chair of the New York State Unified Courts Advisory Committee on Language Access; Charles A. SmallEsq., Chief Registrar for Civil Affairs, Civil Mandate, Supreme Court of Kings, and Hon. Carolyn Walker DialloNew York City Civil Court Administrative Judge.

The award is intended to recognize individuals or organizations in Brooklyn who have made a positive impact by promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession and/or the community as a whole. The annual BBA dinner will take place in December 2022.

The Women’s Bar will elect a new slate, including President Susan Mauro

The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association will hold its annual meeting by videoconference on April 13, 2022 at 5:00 p.m., where it will hold an election for its new officers and directors, including Suzanne Maurowho should be the next president of the group.

Mauro is active in the local legal community and is a regular at BWBA events as well as Columbian Lawyers Association events. She previously worked at Abrams Fensterman, but is currently a partner at Ahmuty Demers & McManus. A graduate of New York Law School and St. John’s University, Mauro is a trial attorney whose practice focuses on complex insurance defense litigation and commercial litigation.

Other officers expected to be elected on Wednesday include Jovia Radix as president-elect; Angelique Moreno, Danielle Ciraola and Catherine González as vice-presidents; Raquel Miranda as treasurer; Lauren Arnel as recording secretary, and Victoria Serigano as corresponding secretary.

To vote in the election, you must be a member in good standing of the BWBA.

Join us for the 150th anniversary dinner

The Brooklyn Bar Association celebrates its 150th anniversary with a special dinner at El Caribe at Mill Basin on Thursday, June 2. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available online at www.BrooklynBar.org.

Robert Abruzzese is the former legal editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle and the current director of member services for the Brooklyn Bar Association. Now as a legal columnist for the Eagle, Abruzzese writes about the BBA and the local legal community. For more information on joining the Brooklyn Bar Association, you can contact him by email at [email protected].