CLOSE
Tags Posts tagged with "Suffolk County Bar Association"

Suffolk County Bar Association

by -
0 419
Hon. Gail Prudenti

Hon. Gail Prudenti, Partner at Burner Prudenti Law, P.C., has been appointed as the Chair of the Suffolk County Bar Association (SCBA) Judicial Screening Committee.

“This prestigious committee plays a vital role in maintaining the integrity and excellence of Suffolk County’s judiciary. Tasked with the responsibility of thoroughly evaluating the background, experience, and qualifications of candidates seeking judicial office, the committee ensures that only the most qualified individuals are recommended for these essential roles,” read a press release.

Comprised of 25 distinguished members, the Judicial Screening Committee represents a cross- section of legal expertise and professional dedication. These members are carefully selected by the SCBA President and Board of Directors to uphold the committee’s commitment to impartiality and rigor in the screening process.

“Hon. Gail Prudenti’s appointment to this leadership position reflects her exceptional career and unwavering dedication to the legal profession. Her extensive experience and steadfast commitment to justice will undoubtedly contribute to the committee’s important mission,” read the release.

by -
0 1260
1 of 3
District Court judges are sworn in. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Bar Association
Welcoming remarks by Pat McCormick. Photo from Suffolk County Bar Association
Hon. Andrew A. Crecca presides over the ceremony. Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Bar Association

The Suffolk County Bar Association’s Annual Judicial Swearing-In and Robing Ceremony was held on Monday, January 13 at the Van Nostrand Theatre of Suffolk County Community College’s Grant Campus in Brentwood. The ceremony was a formal induction of the eighteen newly elected and re-elected Suffolk County Supreme Court Justices, County Court Judges, Family Court Judges, and District Court Judges, who were welcomed with an incredible show of support from their colleagues, family and friends, and local dignitaries in this large auditorium. More than fifty of Suffolk’s judges – all donning their traditional black robes – were on hand to welcome their new colleagues.

The Honorable Andrew A. Crecca, District Administrative Judge, presided over the ceremony where each of the eighteen judges – a record number in Suffolk’s history – were individually honored by sponsors and officially took the oath of office. District Administrative Judge Crecca was himself one of the celebrated judges after he was re-elected in November to another term as Justice of the Supreme Court.

The Honorable Derrick J. Robinson (Ret.) delivered a powerful invocation and newly elected District Court Judge Hon. John B. Zollo sang a robust rendition of the National Anthem. The Chief Administrative Judge of the NYS Unified Court System, Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, was also in attendance and he addressed his colleagues: “We judges are blessed with an amazing vocation, where we actually are tasked with deciding what justice is and how are we going to dispense with it in every single case. It is one of the highest callings in all professions”, he said.

Patrick McCormick, Esq., President of the Suffolk County Bar Association, congratulated each of the members of the judiciary on their incredible accomplishment on behalf of the Association. Throughout the ceremony Mr. McCormick presented the judges with the long-standing tradition of their new black robes or ceremonial gavels for those who were re-elected.

Presented with their Judicial Robes: Hon. Alfred C. Graf, newly elected Supreme Court Justice, sponsored by his daughter Jean Mayer; Hon. Paul E. Hennings, newly elected Supreme Court Justice, sponsored by Patrick E. Byrne; Hon. Paul M. Hensley, newly elected Supreme Court Justice, sponsored by his wife Frances Radman Hensley; Hon. James F. Matthews, newly elected Supreme Court Justice, sponsored by Hon. Mark Cuthbertson, Huntington Councilman; Hon. Deanna D. Panico, newly elected Supreme Court Justice, sponsored by Peter Bee, Esq.; Hon. Peter R. McGreevy, newly elected County Court Judge, sponsored by Hon. Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge; Hon. Stuart P. Besen, newly elected Family Court Judge, sponsored by his children Stephanie and Alex; Hon. Christopher C. Brocato, newly elected Family Court Judge, sponsored by Richard Stafford, Esq.; Hon. Carl Copertino, newly elected Family Court Judge, sponsored by Joseph Barone, Esq.; Hon. Patricia M. Blake, newly elected District Court Judge, sponsored by Hon. Edward P. Romaine, County Executive; Hon. Paul L. Damato, newly elected District Court Judge, sponsored by his wife Rita and son Jimmy; Hon. Kenneth J. Lauri, newly elected District Court Judge, sponsored by Catherine Dominici, Esq.; Hon. Evan Tanenbaum, newly elected District Court Judge, sponsored by his father Hon. Melvyn Tanenbaum; Hon. John B. Zollo, newly elected District Court Judge, sponsored by Hon. Thomas W. Lohmann, Smithtown Councilman.

Presented with the Judicial Gavel: Hon. Andrew A. Crecca, re-elected District Administrative Judge, sponsored by his wife Donna J. Crecca; Hon. Philip Goglas, re-elected County Court Judge, sponsored by his son Philip Goglas, II; Hon. James A. McDonaugh, re-elected District Court Judge, sponsored by Brian Egan, Esq.; Hon. Eric Sachs, re-elected District Court Judge, sponsored by his children Taylor, Justin and Aidan.

by -
0 1009

Congratulations to Ward Melville High School of East Setauket as they are crowned the 2024 Suffolk County Regional High School Mock Trial Competition Champions!  Over 500 students from 31 Suffolk County public and private high schools participated in the 2024 The New York State High School Mock Trial Program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The Suffolk County Coordinators, Glenn P. Warmuth, Esq. & Leonard Badia, Esq.,head up this annual educational program co-sponsored by The Suffolk County Bar Association (SCBA) and The Suffolk Academy of Law.

The 31 high school teams competed in four weeks of round 1 competition, with the Top 16 teams moving on to three rounds of single elimination playoffs at the Suffolk County District Court in Central Islip, commencing with the Final on April 3rd at the Suffolk County Bar Association in Hauppauge.  The Honorable Caren Loguercio, Supervising Judge of the Family Court and Acting Supreme Court Justice, presided over the final match of Ward Melville High School versus Huntington High School.

In his opening remarks, Glenn Warmuth proudly announced that each year the mock trial competition grows and that the level of play this year is the highest it’s ever been. Len Badia closed the competition by exclaiming that both teams in the Finals should be extremely proud of their efforts.

Ward Melville will advance to the New York State Finals in Albany this May, led by their teacher coach, Doug Elliot, and attorney coach, Joseph Prokop, Esq.  The team consists of Alayna Bhatti, Jordan Conrad, Madeleine Galeotafiore, Olivia Gamez, Grace Hammons, Rebecca Malz, Olivia Miller, Ella O’Connor, Lila Pessier, Anna Potekhin, Eleanor Schneider and Jack Zazzera.

The SCBA and Academy of Law would like to thank the 44 attorneys who volunteered their time to judge the round 1 matches, and the 34 attorneys who volunteered many housrs coaching a high school mock trial team.  This program would not be able to work without your generous support.

The SCBA would also like to thank their esteemed Suffolk County Judges for their service in this year’s mock trial tournament: Hon. Anna Acquafredda, Hon. Cheryl Helfer, Hon. Cheryl A. Joseph, Hon. Chris Ann Kelley, Hon. John J. Leo, Hon. Caren Loguercio, Hon. Vincent Messina, Jr., Hon. Catherine E. Miller, Hon. Mary Kate Mullen, Hon. Rosann O. Orlando, Hon. Mary E. Porter, Hon. John E. Raimondi, Hon. Evan Tanenbaum and Hon. Evan Zuckerman.

The New York State High School Mock Trial Program is a joint venture of The New York Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association, and the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program. In this educational program, high school students gain first-hand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures. Thousands of students participate each year.  Objectives of the tournament are to: Teach students ethics, civility, and professionalism; further students’ understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system; improve proficiency in basic life skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; promote better communication and cooperation among the school community, teachers and students and members of the legal profession, and heighten appreciation for academic studies and stimulate interest in law-related careers.

The 2024 Mock Trial case was a criminal case entitled The People of the State of Nirvana v. Lindsay Gordon. In this hands-on competition, the teams argue both sides of the case and assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses. Each team competes to earn points based on their presentation and legal skills. “Judges”, usually local judges and attorneys who volunteer their time, score the teams based on ratings on preparation, performance, and professionalism.

While the Mock Trial program is set up as a “competition,” emphasis is placed on the educational aspect of the experience which focuses on the preparation and presentation of a hypothetical courtroom trial that involves critical issues that are important and interesting to young people.

For interest in joining the High School Mock Trial program for 2025, please contact Suffolk County Coordinator, Glenn P. Warmuth, Esq., at (631) 732-2000 or [email protected]. Mock Trial can be an after-school club, an elective class, or part of your school’s curriculum. An attorney will be provided to you to help coach the students in the matters of the legal profession.

The Suffolk County Bar Association, a professional association comprised of more than 2,600 lawyers and judges, was founded in 1908 to serve the needs of the local legal community and the public.  The Association sponsors educational programs throughout the year through its educational arm, the Suffolk Academy of Law, and provides 24-hour access to an on-line lawyer referral service whereby the public can be referred to attorneys with expertise in a variety of areas of law, the Pro Bono Project which provides legal services for the disadvantage citizens of Suffolk County.  For more information about these or other Suffolk County Bar Association programs or services, call (631) 234-5511 x 222. Visit their website www.scba.org or find them on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

 

by -
0 1122
Cynthia Doerler

Cynthia Doerler has been named as the new Executive Director of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Doerler joined the SCBA in 2016 as the Executive Director of the Suffolk Academy of Law, the educational arm of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Prior to her position at the Academy, Doerler was Director of Philanthropy and Communications for the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependency. 

Doerler’s work as Academy Executive Director has helped strengthen the Academy’s relationships with Bar Association members, affinity Bar Associations, and the legal community as well as increased the scope of course offerings. Her knowledge of developing relationships with board and committee members has helped to build a strong foundation for future leaders and revenue growth.  In her new role, she is responsible for overseeing financial management and funding, board recruitment and administration, educational programs, finances and budgeting, and strategic planning. Other key duties include marketing, social media communication, developing new partnerships and community outreach. 

In 2019, with the help of Academy Officers, Doerler championed the Domestic Violence Awareness month educational initiative and launched annual programs for awareness, education, and resources.  The initiative supports Long Island agencies that help victims of domestic violence by collecting and donating needed items.  

Doerler is a Cum Laude graduate of LIU Post, with a B.S. in Marketing and M.P.A. in Public Administration. She taught Introduction to Non-Profit Management and Grant writing at Hofstra University and LIU Post Adult Education and was named one of Long Island Business News Top 50 Women in 2022.

Doerler is a past board member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where she held the position of Vice President of Membership, Chair of Philanthropy Day, and Chair of the Mentoring Committee. She is Past President of the Gerontology Professionals of New York. Currently she is a member of the Advisory Council for Nassau Suffolk Law Services and Committee Member of the Suffolk County Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts heading up the Domestic Violence Awareness Month initiative.

The Suffolk County Bar Association, a professional association comprised of more than 2,800 lawyers and judges, was founded in 1908 to serve the needs of the local legal community and the public.  The Association develops and offers continuing legal education programs through the Suffolk Academy of Law, as well as public services, such as a Lawyer Referral Service through which members of the public are referred to lawyers with expertise in a wide variety of areas of law.  For information about services, call (631) 234-5511. Visit our website www.scba.org or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

TBR News Media is your local news and entertainment website.
We provide you with the latest breaking news and information for your community.
Contact us: [email protected]

Most Viewed

©