The New York County Democratic Committee previously announced the formation of an Independent Screening Panel. As an update, the screening panel for Supreme Court 2023, administered by Meredith R. Miller, Esq., consists of:
Michael Stutman | American Academy of Matrimonial Law
Gevorg Karapetyan | Armenian Bar Association
Mark Fang | Asian American Bar Association of New York
Annie J. Wang | Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
John Cagney | Brehon Law Society
Paul Bitetti | Columbian Lawyers Association
Freddy Molano | Community Healthcare Network
Monique Carter | Fortune Society
Shoshana T. Bookson | Jewish Lawyers Guild
Kwonsun Jung | Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
Christina Browne | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bar Association of Greater NY (LeGaL)
Shawn Brannon | Mid Manhattan Branch of the NAACP
Malcolm J. Byrd | National Action Network
Eric Subin | New York State Trial Lawyers Association
Scarlet Dominguez | New York Urban League
Vivian Rivera-Drohan | New York Women’s Bar Association
Jan Levien | Women’s Trial Lawyers Caucus
Statement on the Passing of Our Beloved Friend Alan Handell
“On behalf of the Manhattan Democratic Party, our District Leaders, Democratic Clubs, and elected officials of all levels, I offer my sincere condolences to Judge Ann O’shea, Michael & Brian, and the entire family on the passing of our beloved friend, Alan Handell,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.
“Over the years, Al established himself as a dear friend and staunch supporter of Democrats across the borough and New York City. While we often focus on the lofty policy battles we wage to better the lives of our respective communities, Al was always there to support the functions of the Democratic Party in order to advance our candidates and values. We are a stronger Party, Borough, City and State because of Al Handell and will keep him in our hearts forever.”
Announcing the 2023 Supreme Court Independent Judicial Screening Process
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 three (3) vacancies on the New York State Supreme Court to be elected in the November 2023 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 (9) most highly qualified candidates for the three vacancies.
Candidates for the nomination may obtain applications from Kyle H. Ishmael, Esq., Executive Director for the New York County Democratic Committee, via email at manhattandems@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting completed applications is Tuesday, June 20, 2023 at 12:00 PM.
2023 Supreme Court Selection Political Calendar
Friday, June 9 | Judicial Applications available
Tuesday, June 20 @ 12pm | Judicial Applications due
*Tuesday, June 20 | Independent Screening Panel convenes
*Thursday, July 20 | Independent Screening Panel reports out results
*TBD, August 2023 | New York County Democratic Judicial Convention
*subject to change
Statement on the Passing of Bill Perkins
“My sincere condolences go out to Pam Perkins and the entire family over the loss of one of Harlem’s greats, Bill Perkins,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.
“Throughout his decades of public service, Bill always let you know where he stood and who he was fighting for. Harlem, our city, our state, and our nation are all the more better thanks to the battles that Bill Perkins took on during his time in the New York City Council, the New York State Senate, and as a District Leader in our beloved Village of Harlem. May his acts of justice across our community be celebrated for eternity, and may he forever rest in power.”
Statement on Black Democrats Removed from TN Legislature
“What we are seeing in Tennessee with the Republican-led removal of duly elected, Black Democrat Legislators is clearly racism and a continued assault on our nation’s democracy,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.
“Whether it’s through efforts to overturn an election, fraud, insurrection, or the expulsion of representatives they disagree with, Republicans have shown themselves to be incapable of governing in keeping with the small-d democratic values our country was founded on. As Democrats and Americans, we must stand together to ensure these efforts are defeated every time.”
Statement on the Indictment of Ex-President Donald J. Trump
“While Donald Trump and Republicans run from accountability, dedicated, serious public officials like Manhattan District Attorney Bragg follow the facts and the law wherever it may lead,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.
“As we have now seen, that process has resulted in a grand jury of Trump’s peers moving forward with a formal indictment — the first for a former President of the United States. While it’s unfortunate for the Office of the Presidency that Trump ever sat in the Oval Office, this indictment is a positive sign that even the most powerful among us are not above the rule of law.”
Statement on Trump Attacks of DA Bragg
“The lengths that Trump and the Republican Party have gone to undermine our government and our democracy have led to a deep danger in our country — and unfortunately, New York is not immune,” said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright.
“These attacks against Manhattan District Attorney Bragg by the disgraced ex-president are dangerous for our democracy, dangerous towards the fine men and women of the District Attorney’s office, and are a racist and dangerous attack against an amazing man, husband, father, public servant, and son of Harlem. And New York City will not stand for it.”
Announcing the Results of the 2023 Civil Court Independent Judicial Screening Panel
On behalf of the Manhattan Democratic Party, County Leader Keith L.T. Wright and Judiciary Co-Chairs Curtis Arluck and Louise Dankberg, we sincerely thank the 2023 Civil Court Independent Judicial Screening Panel and its administrator for their diligent work, and we congratulate all the candidates. On the evening of February 1, 2023, the panel reported the following candidates as most highly qualified:
Civil Court
Andrea Krugman
Lauren Esposito
Ralph L. Wolf
Anna Mikhaleva
Mark Shawhan
Matthew Lombardi
George Santana
Brian Krist
Harold Bahr
Denise Dominguez
Yael Wilkofsky
Dana Catanzaro
2023 CIVIL COURT INDEPENDENT JUDICIAL SCREENING PANEL
The New York County Democratic Committee, having previously announced the formation of an Independent Screening Panel to report on the qualifications of candidates seeking the nomination of the Democratic Party for one (1) countywide vacancy and up to three (3) Municipal Court District seats, is proud to announce that the screening panel for Civil Court 2023, administered by Attorney William Pagan, consists of:
Eric Wrubel | American Academy of Matrimonial Law
Levon Golendukhin | Armenian Bar Association
Christopher Leung | Asian American Bar Association of New York
Uel Rheem | Asian Americans for Equality
Sean Kerley | Brehon Law Society
Gianni Tribuzio | Columbian Lawyers Association
Melissa Ryan Reitberg | Jewish Lawyers Guild
Michael Lynch | Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL)
Phillip Hamilton | Metropolitan Black Bar Association
Florence Hutner | New York Law School
Vivian Rivera Drohan | New York Women’s Bar Association
Richard Freire | Puerto Rican Bar Association
Manhattan Dems Nominate Retiring Judge to Serve as Board of Elections Commissioner
Tonight, the Executive Committee of the Manhattan Democratic Party voted to designate retiring Judge Carol Edmead as our nominee to the Board of Elections Commissionership.
“Judge Edmead is one of us”, said County Leader Keith L.T. Wright. A former Democratic Club President, Surrogate Court Judge and Supreme Court Justice, her experience — particularly as an election law judge — will serve our County well at the Board of Elections as we continue to strengthen voting rights and ballot access all across New York.