2019 Supreme Court Independent Screening Panel

The New York County Democratic Committee has announced the formation of an Independent Screening Panel to report on the qualifications of candidates seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for two (2) vacancies on the New York State Supreme Court to be elected in the November 2019 general election. The heads of numerous bar associations, community organizations and law schools have been invited to nominate members of the panel, which will be directed to report a total of no more than the six (6) most highly qualified candidates for the two vacancies.

Candidates for the Court may obtain applications from Ms. Shirley Kornreich, the panel administrator for the New York County Democratic Committee, via email at manhattandems@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting completed applications is June 10, 2019, 12 P.M. Questions concerning this year’s panel should be directed to Ms. Kornreich via email.

The panel designees and their designating organizations are as follows:
Armenian Bar Association, Irina Hovhannisyan
Asian American Bar Association of New York, Tristan Loanzon
Asian Americans for Equality, Timothy Wong
Brehon Law Society, Charles Martin
Columbia Law School, Colleen Shanahan
Columbian Lawyers Association, Rosanne Elena Felicello
Defense Association of New York, John McDonough
Dominican Bar Association, Shantel Castro
Hellenic Lawyers Association, Chrisanthy Zapantis
Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, Inc., Steven Perelman
Jewish Lawyers Guild, Shoshana Bookson
Legal Services Staff Association, Catherine Frizell
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL), Jaime Leggett
Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Anton Robinson
Mid-Manhattan Branch of the NAACP, Deborah Yates
Muslim Bar Association of New York City, Yasmin Dwedar
New York State Trial Lawyers Association, Marc Dittenhoefer
New York Women’s Bar Association, Dawn Cardi
Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, Marc Valinoti
Women Trial Lawyers Caucus, Helene Blank

July 19, 2018

2018 Supreme Court Independent Screening Panel

The New York County Democratic Committee has announced the formation of an Independent Screening Panel to report on candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party for three (3) vacancies on the New York Supreme Court, First Judicial District (New York County) to be nominated at its Judicial Convention, to be filled in the November general election. The heads of numerous bar associations, community organizations and law schools have been invited to nominate members of the panel, which will be directed to report a total of no more than the nine most highly qualified candidates for the three vacancies.

Candidates for the Court may obtain applications from the administrator of the panel, Mr. Ricardo Oquendo, via email at reo@odpllc.law beginning July 20, 2018. The deadline for submitting completed applications is August 9, 2018, 12 P.M. Questions concerning this year’s panel should be directed via email to the Panel Administrator or the New York County Democratic Committee office at (212) 687-6540.

April 1, 2018May 18, 2018

2018 Civil Court Independent Screening Panelists Announced

The New York County Democratic Committee is pleased to announce the formation of an Independent Screening Panel on March 5th, 2018, to report on candidates for nomination by the Democratic Party for three vacancies on the New York County Civil Court, which will be filled in the November 6, 2018 general election. The panel will also report on whether the service for the last 10 years of current sitting Civil Court Judge and Acting Supreme Court Justice Frank Nervo merits his continuation in office. The panel has received 25 designees from participating bar associations, law schools, and community groups, demonstrating the extensive outreach on behalf the Manhattan Democratic Party to the legal community and the vitality of the civil society surrounding the judiciary here in Manhattan. The panelists will review applicants to the Civil Court and report out those candidates they deem to be most qualified for election to the Civil Court. The designees and their designating organizations are as follows:

Joseph French, Brehon Law Society

Colleen M. Meenan, National Employment Lawyers Association/NY

Devi Vairavan, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys

Schuyler Carroll, New York City Bar Association

Joam Alisme, New York Law School

Dana Stutman, American Academy of Matrimonial Law

Song Kim, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund

Anais Aguilar-Schiro, Columbian Lawyers Association

Inie Park, Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York

Tiffany Femiano, MFY Legal Services

Evelyn Gong, Asian Bar Association of New York

Pamela B. Goldsmith, The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (Le-Gal)

Sean Farrow, Metropolitan Black Bar Association

Tina Wells, New York State Trial Lawyers Association

Allison Hobbs, Association of Black Women Attorneys

David Kaminsky, Jewish Lawyers Guild

Carlos Mulles, Dominican Bar Association

Stanley Gleaton, Mid Manhattan Branch of the NAACP

Benjamin Metsch, Fortune Society

Ruben Stepanian, Armenian Bar Association

Carolyn M. Caccese, Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus

Kimberly Warner, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation

Brandon Hicks, National Action Network

On May 1, 2018, the Independent Judicial Screening Panel for Civil Court reported the following candidates as most highly qualified for two (2) county-wide Civil Court vacancies and a single vacancy in the 5th Civil Court District:

Shahabuddeen Ally
Lawrence Bosley
Ariel Chesler
Erik Gray
Hilary Gingold
Elsa Marie Hampton
Elyssa Kates
Ilana Marcus
Valentina Morales
Nicholas Moyne
Grace Park
Robert Rosenthal

Thank you to the panel and its administrator for their diligent work.

Sincerely,
Curtis Arluck and Louise Dankberg
Co-Chairs, Judiciary Committee

February 17, 2018February 28, 2018

2018 Civil Court Independent Screening Panel

February 17, 2018

The New York County Democratic Committee has announced the formation of an Independent Screening Panel to report on candidates for the nomination of the Democratic Party for two (2) vacancies on the New York County Civil Court and two (2) Municipal Civil Court District vacancies, which will be filled in the November general election. The heads of numerous bar associations, community organizations and law schools have been invited to nominate members of the panel, which will be directed to report a total of no more than the twelve most highly qualified candidates for the four vacancies.

Candidates for the Court may obtain applications from the administrator of the panel, Mr. Joshua Brian Irwin, via email at joshuabrianirwin@gmail.com beginning February 17, 2018. The deadline for submitting completed applications is March 5, 2018, 12 P.M. Questions concerning this year’s panel should be directed via email to the Panel Administrator or the New York County Democratic Committee office at (212) 687-6540.

February 5, 2018February 5, 2018

Announcing 74th Assembly District Committee Meeting to Select Democratic Nominee for Member of the New York State Assembly for the April 24th, 2018 Special Election

Due to the election of former State Assemblymember for the 74th Assembly District Brian P. Kavanagh to the State Senate for the 26th Senate District, the Democratic Party will convene a meeting of the 74th Assembly District Committee to select the Party’s nominee for the April 24th, 2018 Special Election as proclaimed today, February 5, 2018, by Governor Andrew Cuomo. Any individual interested in seeking the Party’s nomination for the position of State Senator from the 74th District, New York County, should email the New York County Democratic Committee at manhattandems@gmail.com for more information.

Proclamation of 2018 Special Elections by Governor Andrew Cuomo

September 5, 2017February 5, 2018

Announcing 26th Senate District Committee Meeting to Select Democratic Nominee for Member of the New York State Assembly for the November 7th Special Election

Due to the resignation of former State Senator Dan Squadron, effective on August 11th, the Democratic Party will convene a meeting of the 26th Senate District Committee to select the Party’s nominee for the November 7th General Election. Any individual interested in seeking the Party’s nomination for the position of State Senator from the 26th District, New York and King’s Counties, should email the New York County Democratic Committee at manhattandems@gmail.com for more information.

August 21, 2017February 5, 2018

Announcing 71st Assembly District Committee Meeting to Select Democratic Nominee for Member of the New York State Assembly for the November 7th Special Election

The New York County Democratic Committee is proud to salute Assembly Member Herman “Denny” Farrell, upon his resignation, from 43 years of service to the people of the State of New York and our great Nation. Due to his resignation, effective on September 5th, the Democratic Party will convene a meeting of the 71st Assembly District Committee to select the Party’s nominee for the November 7th General Election. Any individual interested in seeking the Party’s nomination for the position of Member of Assembly from the 71st District, New York County, should email the New York County Democratic Committee at manhattandems@gmail.com for more information.

Assembly Member Farrell Resignation Letter

July 26, 2017February 5, 2018

2017 Supreme Court Independent Screening Panelists Announced

The New York County Democratic Committee is pleased to announce the formation of an Independent Screening Panel to report on candidates for nomination by the Democratic Party for five vacancies on the New York State Supreme Court vacancies, 1st Judicial District (New York County), which will be filled in the November 8, 2017 general election. The panel has received an unprecedented 32 designees from participating bar associations, law schools, and community groups, demonstrating the extensive outreach on behalf the Manhattan Democratic Party to the legal community and the vitality of the civil society surrounding the judiciary here in Manhattan. The panelists will review applicants to the Supreme Court and report out those candidates they deem to be most qualified for election to the Supreme Court. The designees and their designating organizations are as follows:

Silvia Babikian, Armenian Bar Association
Leona Beane , New York Women’s Bar Association
Cara Berkowitz, Jewish Board of Family & Childrens’ Services
Tanya N. Blocker, Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Kieran Conlon, Brehon Law Society
Harley Diamond, Lesbian & Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Service Center
Erika Donovan Estades, Latino Leadership Institute
Gerald Eber, Fortune Society
Jeremy Feigenbaum, Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
Elizabeth Fischer, Neighborhood Defenders Service of Harlem
Qian Gao, Asian Bar Association of New York
Megan Goddard, National Employment Lawyers Association/NY
Janice Grubin,The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (Le-Gal)
Evan Hasbrook, Association of Legal Aid Attorneys
Amin Kassam, Muslim Bar Association of New York City
James Lee, Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
John Low-Beer, City Club
Elizabeth Lynch, MFY Legal Services
Steve Madra, Asian Americans for Equality
Nelson Mar, Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Deborah Martin Owens,Women’s City Club
Scott Occhiogrosso, New York State Trial Lawyers Association
William Pagan, Puerto Rican Bar Association
Carlos Perez-Hall, New York City Bar Association
Vianny M. Pichardo, Dominican Bar Association
Ann Schneider, National Lawyers Guild
Meryl Schwartz, Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus
Iris Springer-Elkerson, Association of Black Women Attorneys
Andrew Targum, Jewish Lawyers’ Guild
Shanelle Washington, Mid Manhattan Branch of the NAACP
Kenneth Willis, New York Urban League
Melissa Ysaguirre, Legal Services Staff Association

Silvia	Babikian	Armenian Bar Association
Leona	Beane	New York Women’s Bar Association
Cara	Berkowitz	Jewish Board of Family & Childrens’ Services
Tanya N.	Blocker	Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Kieran	Conlon	Brehon Law Society
Harley	Diamond	Lesbian & Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Service Center
Erika	Donovan Estades	Latino Leadership Institute
Gerald	Eber	Fortune Society
Jeremy	Feigenbaum	Jewish Community Relations Council of New York
Elizabeth	Fischer	Neighborhood Defenders Service of Harlem
Qian	Gao	Asian Bar Assocation of New York
Megan	Goddard	National Employment Lawyers Association/NY
Janice	Grubin	The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (Le-Gal)
Evan	Hasbrook	Association of Legal Aid Attorneys
Amin	Kassam	Muslim Bar Association of New York City
James	Lee	Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
John	Low-Beer	City Club
Elizabeth	Lynch	MFY Legal Services
Steve	Madra	Asian Americans for Equality
Nelson	Mar	Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
Deborah	Martin Owens	Women’s City Club
Scott	Occhiogrosso	New York State Trial Lawyers Association
William	Pagan	Puerto Rican Bar Association
Carlos	Perez-Hall	New York City Bar Association
Vianny M.	Pichardo	Dominican Bar Association
Ann	Schneider	National Lawyers Guild
Meryl	Schwartz	Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus
Iris	Springer-Elkerson	Association of Black Women Attorneys
Andrew	Targum	Jewish Lawyers’ Guild
Shanelle	Washington	Mid Manhattan Branch of the NAACP
Kenneth	Willis	New York Urban League
Melissa	Ysaguirre	Legal Services Staff Association

June 15, 2017June 16, 2017

2017 Demmy Awards

Please join County Leader Keith L.T. Wright and the New York County Democratic Committee for the Demmy Awards on Monday, July 17th, 2017 at 7PM at School of Visual Arts Theatre- 333 West 23rd Street.

The Demmys is Manhattan’s premier Democratic event to honor those New Yorkers who make our city, our state and our nation great.

For more information and to purchase tickets online CLICK HERE

Have questions? Need help? Email us at thedemmys@gmail.com.

THE DEMMY AWARDS NOMINATION PROCESS IS NOW OPEN!

Know someone who you would like to nominate for Manhattan Democrat of the Year or Young Democrat of the Year? Great! Submit a nomination by emailing us at thedemmys@gmail.com with the word “nomination” in the subject line.

Would you like to see your club win a Demmy this year? Go for it! Send us your nomination at thedemmys@gmail.com with “club of the year” in the subject line.

The nominating process closes on July 6th at 12PM. Don’t delay send in your nominations today!

June 5, 2017

2017 Endorsements of the New York County Democratic Committee

On May 17, 2017 the New York County Democratic Committee Executive Board met to vote on endorsements for city-wide and county-wide elections. Below is the list of endorsed candidates. You can see the full minutes of the meeting here.

Mayor – Bill DeBlasio
Comptroller – Scott Stringer
Manhattan DA – Cy Vance
Manhattan BP – Gale Brewer
County-wide Civil Court Judge – Phaedra Perry
County-wide Civil Court Judge – Richard Tsai