Brooklyn Bar Association News

October 24, 2025

PRESS RELEASE

The Brooklyn Bar Association Judiciary Committee has rated the following candidates in the upcoming election.
Candidates receive one of three ratings: Approved, Not Approved or Not Approved for Failure to Participate.

Supreme Court 2nd Judicial District

Maria Aragona - Approved
Betsy Barros - Approved
Claudia Daniels-DePeyster - Approved
Jill R. Epstein - Approved
Brian L. Gotlieb - Approved
Norma Jennings - Approved
Carl J. Landicino - Approved
Derefim Neckles - Approved
Jacqueline Williams - Approved

District Attorney

Eric Gonzalez - Approved

Civil Court 2nd Municipal District

Sheridan Jack-Browne - Not approved for failure to participate

Civil Court 4th Municipal District

Chidi A. Eze - Not Approved

Civil Court 6th Municipal District

Juliet P. Howard - Approved

Civil Court 7^th Municipal District

Dwayne Frankson - Not approved for failure to participate
Dagmar Plaza - Gonzalez - Not approved for failure to participate

County Wide Civil Court

Marisa Arrabito - Approved
Janice Chen - Approved

For further information you may contact Andrew Fallek, Chair of the BBA Judiciary Committee at andrew@falleklaw.com – Telephone:  973-886-3679

Brooklyn Bar Association
123 Remsen Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201-4212
Telephone: 718-624-0675

Executive Order 14173 should be concerning to all who value fairness and justice for all, because it seeks to limit, undermine and villainize diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) initiatives within bar associations. The Brooklyn Bar Association, which comprises legal professionals, is committed to upholding principles of fairness, equal opportunity, and access to justice—values that are directly supported by DEI policies.

Bar associations play a critical role in fostering professional growth, education, and engagement among attorneys from a broad spectrum of backgrounds with a shared goal toward establishing a qualified bench and bar that reflect the diverse communities we serve. DEI initiatives are not about exclusion or preferential treatment; rather, they are about ensuring that all individuals, hardworking people, regardless of background, have equitable opportunities to contribute and succeed within the legal profession. These efforts strengthen our justice system by promoting a wider range of perspectives, improving legal representation for all community stakeholders, and enhancing public trust in the legal profession.  Restricting DEI policies would not only undermine these critical objectives but could also have long-term implications for access to justice and the overall integrity of the legal system.

In Brooklyn, we embrace societal differences based upon race, color, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, age and disability.  Policies that discourage the celebration and promotion of individuals based solely on the false presumption they are unqualified are misguided and designed to eliminate advocacy and destroy communities. We urge policymakers to stand with the Brooklyn Bar Association and recognize the importance of DEI initiatives in advancing fairness and equality under the law.

Anthony W. Vaughn, Jr., President of the Brooklyn Bar Association

See link for further details;

https://www.nycourts.gov/LegacyPDFS/press/pdfs/PR24_46.pdf

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE ARTICLE

The Brooklyn Bar Association is comprised of legal professionals who engage in the fight for justice daily.  While we do not always agree, we advocate strongly, always respectful of our colleagues’ positions. The Brooklyn Bar Association condemns acts of terror in every form. 

The recent events that have unfolded in Israel and Gaza reminds the world that terrorism has no moral boundary nor regard for human life.

Violence and inhumane behavior inflicted upon innocent women, men, the elderly, and children is unacceptable in a civilized society and is never the solution to disputes.  More importantly, such acts can never be condoned as they threaten and violate our very existence.

The current conflict in Israel and Gaza has inflicted horrific wounds upon its victims and generations to come.  The human toll is immeasurable.

We will not always agree.  Our opinions, no matter how strongly felt, will vary.  Yet, as always, we need to and must respect our brothers and sisters and the sanctity of human life.  Most importantly, we need to pray for and work towards finding peace in our world.

The Brooklyn Bar Association has rated the following candidates in the upcoming election.
Candidates receive one of three ratings: Approved, Not Approved or Not Approved for Failure to Participate.

Kings County  

Surrogate’s Court 

Bernard J. Graham, Approved 

Civil Court, Countywide 

Betsey Jean-Jacques, Approved 
Marva C. Brown, Approved 
Monique J. Holaman, Approved 

Civil Court, 1^st Municipal District 

Rena Malik, Approved 

Civil Court, 2^nd Municipal District 

Lola Waterman, Approved 
Babatunde Akowe, Not Approved for Failure to Participate

Civil Court, 3^rd Municipal District 

Javier Ortiz, Approved 

Supreme Court, 2^nd Judicial District 

Rachel Freier, Approved 
Sharon A. Bourne-Clarke, Approved 
Saul Stein, Approved 
Joanne Quinones, Approved 
Heela Capell, Approved 
Caroline Piela Cohen, Approved 
Timothy John Peterson, Not Approved

For further information you may contact:

Andrew Fallek,
Chair of the BBA Judiciary Committee
Email: andrew@falleklaw.com 
Tel: 973-886-3679

https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2025/04/10/judiciary-night-april-2025/

CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Click through the link below for additional information

Hispanic Heritage Month - 2024

PRESS RELEASE

The Brooklyn Bar Association has rated the following candidates in the upcoming election.
Candidates receive one of three ratings: Approved, Not Approved or Not Approved for Failure to Participate.

Kings County

Civil Court, 6th Municipal District

Janice Robinson                       Not Approved For Failure to Participate

Kenneth Gayle                         Not Approved For Failure to Participate

For further information you may contact Andrew Fallek, Chair of the BBA Judiciary Committee at andrew@falleklaw.com – Telephone:  973-886-3679