I am a candidate for Orange County Family Court judge this year, and I would be honored to earn your vote. The outcome of this year’s race for Family Court judge will have an impact on the children and families of Orange County for years to come.
I grew up in a working-class family, and after high school, I attended my local community college on a full scholarship. I then transferred to Harvard University. I went on to law school at Northwestern University School of Law. After law school, I became a Peace Corps volunteer and taught English as a Second Language at a high school in the Czech Republic. I worked as a corporate litigator for a few years until I paid off my student loans, and then in 1999, I took a 54% pay cut to represent indigent clients in Family Court as an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Orange County.
I have two teenagers, Ellen and Aaron. Ellen is now in her first year at American University, and Aaron is a freshman at Pine Bush High School.
I am currently the Supervising Family Court Attorney at Legal Aid. I have spent the past twenty-one years practicing family law full- time in Orange County Family Court. I have helped over 5,000 indigent clients through the stressful, emotional, and often chaotic and inefficient Family Court process. I have developed many strategies for resolving the problems that bring families into Family Court.
After giving advice to my clients for many years, I authored “Successfully Navigating Family Court in New York.” It is a guidebook for people who find themselves in Family Court. Yes, I literally wrote the book on Family Court!
I am running for Family Court judge because Family Court judges make life-altering decisions, and I feel that I am the candidate who is most in tune with the needs of children and their families in these challenging times. I understand what it is like to juggle parenting, a full-time job, and a hectic schedule of activities. I understand the stresses and anxieties that our children experience. If I am elected, my decisions will take into account the emotional needs of our children and the practical realities of family life in our county.
If elected, I will bring my compassion and kindness -- but also my no-nonsense approach to problem-solving -- to the bench. My courtroom will be run in an orderly and efficient manner, and I will always be prepared and punctual. I will treat all litigants with respect, and I will make decisions that are in the best interests of the children.
