Judge Crystal Villasenor to the Civil Court of New York
VID'ers were in attendance at the induction of VID endorsed Crystal Villaseñor to the Civil Court of New York. We got to know now-Judge Villaseñor when she served as a dedicated volunteer attorney for VID’s Tenants’ Clinic.
To commemorate her background and birth, and celebrate the first-ever induction of a Mexican-American to Civil Court in this state was a 6-piece mariachi band that had all toes tapping. Equally impressive was the heartfelt induction speech by the new judge herself, recounting her long climb from being raised in a farming community to reach her dream of becoming a judge.
Judge Lisa Sokoloff swearing in Judge Crystal Villasenor who is standing with her parents
VID and DID members with Judge Villasenor
Judge Ilona B. Coleman to the Civil Court of New York
A large contingent of VID members were honored to attend the recent induction of Ilona B. Coleman, an endorsed candidate, who was elected to the Civil Court of New York. Judge Coleman was surrounded by her family as she was sworn in by Judge Ashlee Crawford. VID joined in the joyous standing ovation.
Speakers included Camille Abate, Councilmembers Erik Bottcher and Chris Marte. Judge Coleman gave a moving speech to conclude. The recurring theme through the evening: Judge Coleman’s more-than-a-decade of service and devotion to and leadership of the nationally recognized defense counsel and civil rights protector The Bronx Defenders. This makes her eminently qualified to serve – and protect -- this city and its citizens, with rigor and with compassion.
Judge Ashlee Crawford swearing in Judge Coleman
Judge Coleman 4th from left with VID'ers, i
ncluding Judge Braun (ret), Judge-Elect Allison Greenfield and Judge Lauren Esposito
VID Executive Committee members
Induction Ceremony of Judge Allison Greenfield
A flock of proud VID members attended the spirited and moving December 10 induction of Hon. Allison Greenfield to the Civil Court: District Leader Jen Hoppe, Melissa Carty, Sara Kimbell, Tony Hoffmann, Jonathan Geballe, Lois Rakoff, Caroline Donahue, Linda Jacobson, Judith Jacobson, Rick Braun Dan Roskoff and Kathy Slawinski. The unstoppable Hon. George Silver presided and 4-year-old Shoshana Greenfield led the Pledge of Allegiance. Speakers included District Leader William Smith, County Leader Keith Wright, Lisa Corn of Downtown Nasty Women Social Group, Yael Heller Jekogian of Markers for Democracy, and Hon. Suzanne Adams, Hon. Adam Silvera, and featured the Chief Justice of the State of New York, Hon. Rowan Wilson, who, with a wink, threw in some guidance from Groucho Marx. City Councilmember Erik Bottcher arrived with a guitar and sang Bob Dylan’s “The Times They Are A-Changing,” the enthusiastic crowd joined in the refrain.
A moving tribute was offered by Hon. Arthur F. Engoron, the judge who hired Allison as his clerk and for whom she served for years on her road to becoming a judge in her own right. After being sworn in by Hon. Kathleen Waterman-Marshall, Allison offered her remarks, recounting the story of making her pathway, including being raised by a loving family – not one with connections in the legal world – to landing her first Lower Eastside walk-up apartment, the support she had received from judges and friends, and gaining legal expertise through dedication and rigor of her own. An undercurrent throughout the ceremonies and speeches was the steel spine Allison showed during the recent trial of Donald Trump (in Arthur Engoren’s court) in the face of Trump’s public attacks personally directed at her. But that was not even mentioned in Allison’s speech; looking only forward, she pledged to be a fair and compassionate judge to all and improve the legal system to better serve its clients and the public and reimagine its purpose.
Judge Allison Greenfield being sworn in
VID members with Judge Greenfield
Judge Arthur Engoron speaking at the Induction
VID members with Judge Greenfield and Induction speakers, Lisa Goldenberg Corn from Downtown Nasty Women Social Group (3rd from right) and Yael Heller Jekogian of Markers for Democracy (2nd from right)
Councilmember Erik Bottcher provided the musical entertainment
Previously endorsed VID candidates Judge Lauren Esposito (left) and Ilona Coleman (right) with VID Executive Committee member Kathy Slawinski
Induction ceremony of Judge Malaika Scott-McLaughlin.
Taking place in a packed Civil Courtroom, Judge Malaika Scott-McLughlin was sworn in by Tanya Kennedy, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Judicial Department. Proudly looking on at the swearing in were Malaika’s father, Randolph McLaughlin, a civil rights attorney and professor of law at Pace Law School, as well as Judge Scott-McLaughlin's daughters, and other family members. In attendance from VID were Kathy Slawinski, Dan Roskoff and Tony Hoffmann. Also in attendance was former VID member Judge Lauren Esposito.
