Brooklyn Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and the Executive Committee of the Kings County Democratic County Committee endorsed six candidates for the position of Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Kings County at an in-person meeting of the leaders on Monday.
The Supreme Court candidate endorsements are Judge Heela Capell, Judge Sharon A.B. Clarke, Judge Rachel Freier, Judge Caroline P. Cohen, Judge Saul Stein and Judge Joanne D. Quiñones.
Assemblywoman Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, said an overwhelming majority of District Leaders endorsed the slate of candidates.
“We are proud to endorse a slate of diverse, highly experienced, and capable justices who will administer equitable justice for all Brooklynites,” said Bichotte Hermelyn, who represents the 42nd Assembly District in Brooklyn.
Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms. The Supreme Court has both civil and criminal jurisdiction.
The court handles civil cases at the trial level where the amount in dispute is in excess of $25,000.
Its criminal jurisdiction extends to trials where defendants are charged with felonies.
Bichotte Hermelyn said the endorsed candidates will contend for the Democratic Party nomination from Judicial Delegates at the Kings County Democratic County Party’s Judicial Convention on Thursday Marine Park Golf Course in Brooklyn, with doors opening at 5:45 pm.
The nominees will appear on the ballot for the Primary Election in November.
“The Ad-Hoc Judiciary Committee is another significant step the party is taking to improve the vetting and nomination process for judicial candidates,” Bichotte Hermelyn said. “The Committee gathered invaluable community feedback to ensure we’re endorsing judges who deeply understand and reflect our diverse borough.”
The endorsed candidates’ deep experience:
Judge Heela Capell serves in Kings County Civil Court, and possesses 13 years of combined experience as a judge and court attorney, plus five years of experience as a litigator.
Judge Sharon A.B. Clarke has over 30 years of legal experience; she was elected in 2014 and over the past 9 years has served in Criminal Court, Family and Civil Court prior to being elevated to Acting Justice of the Supreme Court in 2022. Prior to that she served our community in various capacities including Deputy General Counsel of the New York State Division of Human Rights.
Judge Rachel Freier is an Acting Supreme Court Justice; the first Hasidic woman to hold the role since being appointed in January 2023, previously served as Judge for the Kings County Civil Court, and began her journey as a Civil Court Judge in 2016.
Judge Caroline P. Cohen serves as an Acting Judge for the Family Court of the City of New York since being appointed in 2020, was previously elected to the Civil Court in 2019, has vast private sector experience, and started her career serving at the NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA).
Judge Saul Stein serves as Judge for the Civil Court of the City of New York. He previously was the Principal Court Attorney for Supreme Court Justice David B. Cohen. He also brings vast private sector and commercial experience to the Courts.
Judge Joanne D. Quiñones serves as Acting Justice of the Supreme Court, Criminal Term, since being appointed in 2021, and was first appointed to the bench in 2010 by then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
