New York State Unified Court System

Hon. Richard B. Lowe, an early member and eventual chairman of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, discusses the early days of the nation's first court-based commission dedicated to racial and ethnic fairness in the courts. Audio: https://soundcloud.com//franklin-h-williams-/s-x33tNBIj9ld Transcript: http://ww2.nycourts.gov///files/2021-04/LoweTranscript.pdf

Welcome to the latest episode of a brief series of oral history interviews with the trailblazers and pioneers who were instrumental in establishing the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. The recordings are excerpts of interviews conducted in preparation for a documentary on Ambassador Williams. Today, we're joined by Justice Rose Sconiers who eventually became Chair of the Commission.... Audio: https://soundcloud.com//franklin-h-williams-/s-wyx3i4JyKoD Transcript: http://ww2.nycourts.gov//fi/2021-04/SconiersTranscript.pdf

In recognition of a 30th anniversary of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, the co-chairs, Justice Troy Webber and Justice Shirley Troutman, and Executive Director Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, decided to post excerpts that described the early days and challenges of the Commission. Today, we feature Edna Wells Handy, the Commission's first Executive Director. Audio: https://soundcloud.com//franklin-h-williams-/s-H7deI9eO7gz Transcript: http://ww2.nycourts.gov//2021-/Wells%20HandyTranscript.pdf

Chief Judge DiFiore's weekly update on COVID and the COURTS is now posted: Video: http://wowza.nycourts.gov/vod/WowzaPlayer-CJ.php Transcript: http://www.nycourts.gov/whatsnew/pdf/June14-CJ-Message.pdf

NEW FAMILY COURT OPENS IN NEW ROCHELLE On Thursday, June 10, 2021, in a ribbon cutting ceremony, Ninth Judicial District Administrative Judge the Hon. Kathie E. Davidson and Westchester County Executive George Latimer unveiled a state-of-the-art Family Court facility at 26 Garden Street in New Rochelle, adjacent to the city’s transportation hub. The new, New Rochelle Family Court occupies the third and fourth floors of a six floor building and has two courtrooms, three heari...ng rooms, judge’s chambers, offices for non-judicial staff as well as for staff from the Office for Women, Department of Probation and other County agencies. The 35,000 square foot space features the latest technology and equipment, from assisted-listening capabilities to HVAC systems that provide for a good fresh-air ratio. New Rochelle Family Court is one of three family courts in Westchester County, along with courts in White Plains and Yonkers. These courts hear cases involving children and families, including child neglect, child custody and support, domestic violence, juvenile delinquency, adoption and guardianship, among other matters. Photo: Judge Kathie E. Davidson and Westchester County Executive George Latimer cut the ribbon to officially open the new facility. :

The Office for Justice Initiatives is thrilled to announce the launch of a FREE Virtual Court Navigator Pilot Program for people who do not have an attorney. Th...e program is presently available to assist people who need help with #Erie County Surrogate’s Court, Civil Supreme and Surrogate’s Courts in #Dutchess, #Orange, #Putnam, #Rockland, and #Westchester Counties. Virtual Court Navigators are specially trained, supervised, and available to help court users prepare for virtual appearances, file court forms, organize court papers, get answers to general questions, find community programs and services, refer people to legal service providers, navigate the court’s website, and more. Virtual Court Navigators are not attorneys and cannot provide legal advice. Virtual Court Navigators will be available to meet beginning on June 14, 2021. Schedule an appointment now by completing the online intake form: https://www.cognitoforms.com//VirtualCourtNavigatorProgram For more information, go to: http://ww2.nycourts.gov/virtual-court-navigator-pilot-progr

Reception for New Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals Wednesday, June 9, 2021 Nassau County Supreme Court, Mineola Nassau County Administrative Judge Norman St. George hosted a breakfast reception to congratulate Hon. Madeline Singas on her confirmation as Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals.... Upon her appointment to the Court, she stepped down from her previous position as Nassau County District Attorney. Judge Singas will maintain chambers in the Nassau County Supreme Court. Judge Singas replaces Judge Leslie Stein, who retired June 4. Photo L-R: Hon. Timothy S. Driscoll, Associate Justice, Appellate Term, 9th and 10th Judicial Districts; Hon. Helen Voutsinas, Associate Justice, Appellate Term, 9th and 10th Judicial Districts; Hon. Madeline Singas, Associate Judge, Court of Appeals; Hon. Norman St. George, Administrative Judge of Nassau County; Hon. Angela G. Iannacci, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department; Hon. Leonard B. Austin, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department.

Thirty years ago, the New York courts established the first court-based commission dedicated to racial and ethnic fairness -- the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. Judge Juanita Bing Newton was there, and in this program she reveals the early dynamics. Audio: https://soundcloud.com//franklin-h-williams-/s-qkT3IO0hPJC Transcript: http://ww2.nycourts.gov//2021-/Bing%20NewtonTranscript.pdf

Thirty years ago, when the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission was just getting started, Jonathan Lippman was a deputy court administrator (who went on to become Chief Judge). In this segment, Judge Lippman reveals the early discussions and the stonewalling that occurred when the Commission attempted to independently examine issues of racial fairness in the NY courts. Audio: https://soundcloud.com/user-716/fhw-4-lippman/s-R5PxSTc3Vj8 Transcript: http://ww2.nycourts.gov//fil/2021-04/LippmanTranscript.pdf

Chief Judge DiFiore's weekly message is now posted: Video: http://wowza.nycourts.gov/vod/WowzaPlayer-CJ.php Transcript: http://www.nycourts.gov/whatsnew/pdf/June7-CJ-Message.pdf

A quarter century ago, then-Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye led the Court of Appeals with a 4-3 ruling that, for the first time, allowed the same-sex partner of a legal parent to adopt that parent’s child. Matter of Jacob, 86 NY2d 651 (1995), which recognized the adoption rights of both heterosexual and homosexual couples, was a pivotal moment in the struggle for equal rights. In this program by the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission, Executive Director Matthew Skinner leads a di...scussion that includes two judges who were on the court at the time (including the swing vote) and two law clerks to provide an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at how Matter of Jacob came to be. https://youtu.be/6IWnhWsnwiU Jacob Turns 25: Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Going With LGBTQ Family Law in New York, which is dedicated to the enduring legacy of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, also includes four other panels. It takes an in-depth look at the recently passed Child-Parent Security Act, becoming effective in February 2021, hear from New York’s four LGBTQ state legislators, review recent changes to the New York State Department of Health’s birth certificate policies, and, finally, ponder the LGBTQ legacy of the late Justice Ginsburg. All the videos can be accessed at bit.ly/jacob25.

Chief Judge DiFiore's weekly update on COVID-19: Video: http://wowza.nycourts.gov/vod/WowzaPlayer-CJ.php Transcript: www.nycourts.gov

Convictions for marijuana-related convictions can now be expunged in NYS. For details, go to: www.nycourts.gov//destroy-expunged-marihuana-c/index.shtml

#FamilyCourt in the Virtual Age The vital work of New York’s Family Courts has continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, albeit in a different format. In this roundtable discussion, experts discuss the logistics and implications, both now and in the future, for virtual representation.... The program features: * Hon. Edwina Mendelson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, New York State Unified Court System’s Office for Justice Initiatives * Hon. Craig J. Doran, Administrative Judge, Seventh Judicial District * Hon. Jeanette Ruiz, Administrative Judge, New York City Family Court * Henry M. Greenberg (Greenberg Traurig, LLP) , chairman of the Chief Judge’s Commission to Reimagine the Future of the New York Courts. View: http://wowza.nycourts.gov/vod/wowzaplayer.php Transcript: http://nycourts.gov///Family-Courts-in-the-Virtual-Age.pdf The program is made possible through the generous assistance of the Redlich Horwitz Foundation (https://www.rhfdn.org/), and implemented in partnership with the New York State Unified Court System’s Office for Justice Initiatives, NYS Permanent Judicial Commission on Justice for Children and the Child Welfare Court Improvement Project (http://ww2.nycourts.gov/IP/cwcip/index.shtml)

The Hon. Lenora B. Foote-Beavers, Buffalo City Court, and the 8th JD Gender & Racial Fairness Committee, will present a virtual #domesticviolence town hall Tues. Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. The topic: "Addressing Domestic Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic." RSVP to Susan Vito, [email protected], 716-845-2623

Did you know that #NationalProBonoWeek begins on October 25? To celebrate, the Office for Justice Initiatives invites you to a FREE informational webinar on Mon...day, October 26, at 9:30 AM. Tune in for info on the law and courts, including divorce, name changes, and small estates. Free resources such as CourtHelp and DIY (Do-It-Yourself) Form programs will also be showcased. To register, go to: https://accessingjusticeduringcovid19.questionpro.com/ We hope to see you there! #accesstojustice

Chief Judge DiFiore used part of her weekly update on COVID to address racial disparities in the court system. She admitted the courts are "falling short" and said "we accept and embrace our responsibility to do better, much better." http://wowza.nycourts.gov/vod/WowzaPlayer-CJ.php

"Invisible No More: The Eunice Carter Story." Free webinar 10/20 @ 1 by Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, Office of Diversity & Inclusion and Historical Society of the Courts. https://history.nycourts.gov//invisible-no-more-the-eunic/

Jeh Johnson Report An in-depth review of the New York State Courts’ policies, practices, rules and programs as they relate to issues of racial and other bias has yielded a set of practical recommendations aimed at advancing diversity and inclusion within the court system and ensuring equal justice under the law. The unique, independent evaluation, commissioned by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore this past June, was conducted by former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson... in his role as Special Adviser on Equal Justice in the Courts. Read the full report here: www.nycourts.gov/wha//SpecialAdviserEqualJusticeReport.pdf.

#HispanicHeritageMonth2020 The Office of Diversity & Inclusion closes out #HispanicHeritageMonth2020 with a Diversity Dialogue interview featuring Sylvia T. Miranda, president of the Cervantes Society. In this informative and insightful interview, Sylvia discusses her Puerto Rican roots, and reveals how her family, after relocating to the Bronx, returned to Puerto Rico after her father won the lottery. She explains how Puerto Ricans are American citizens, with the right to vo...te in presidential elections and even run for president -- but not while residing on the island. However, they are susceptible to the draft! Audio: https://soundcloud.com//promoting-diversity-in-the-court-s Transcript: http://ww2.nycourts.gov//files/2020-09/SylviaMiranda%20.pdf

Reminder: Sign up for free, two-hour virtual CLE on the impact of bail reform and COVID on #domesticviolence To register: Go to https://nysba.org/.../domestic-violence-trends-in-the.../ Create a free NYSBA account. Register for this program. ... When you come to payment part, insert this coupon code in the discount box: 1028JQ21 Hon. Rachel Kretser (Ret.), chair, Gender Fairness Committee, will moderate two panel discussions that will include: Hon. Andra Ackerman, Albany County Judge Jaya L. Connors, Assistant Professor of Law and Director of Family Violence Litigation Clinic at the Justice Center at Albany Law School Leah Feldman, VP, Community Programs, Family Services Heather L. Dukes, Senior Attorney, Unity House Law Project Hon. Richard Rivera, Albany County Family Court Judge and Supervising Judge of the Domestic Violence Courts Ellen Schell, counsel, NYS Office for the Prevention of Domestic

Invisible No More: The Eunice Carter Story The Historical Society of the New York Courts, in collaboration with The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, and the NYS Unified Court System’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion invite you to attend our upcoming webinar Invisible No More: The Eunice Carter Story, taking place on Tuesday, October 20th at 1:00 PM. Registration is open! https://mailchi.mp/nycourts/webinar-invite-eunice-carter

Please see Chief Judge DiFiore's update on COVID-19 and the Courts. Video: http://wowza.nycourts.gov/vod/WowzaPlayer-CJ.php... Transcript: www.nycourts.gov