The Brooklyn Bar Association was hard at work connecting the bar with the bench on April 21 as it opened up dialogue between the borough’s newest judges and its attorneys.  

Brooklyn Supreme Civil Court Administrative Judge Genine Edwards called the attorney association’s annual Judiciary Night, where it welcomes newly appointed and elected judges in Brooklyn courts, beneficial to the successful practice of law.  

“It’s important for the bench and the bar to get together and get to know each other outside of the courthouse,” Edwards told amNewYork Law. “We need to build on each other. The law is changing. A lot is happening, and we need to be able to have social spaces to just be candid with each other about whatever is going on.”

(L-R) Hon. Raymi Ramseur-Usher, Anthony Vaughn Jr., Hon. Genine D. Edwards, and Hon. Dagmar Gonzalez at the 2026 Brooklyn Bar Association Annual Judiciary Night. Photos by Curtis Means/OCA

Additionally, she said, giving attorneys the opportunity to meet and talk with judges can make their work in the courtroom less stressful, break down the barrier between lawyers and judges and allow them to learn from each other. 

“They need to be able to put a name to a face that they might see names on paper and not really know who it is,” Edwards said. “Now, they can talk to a judge, get to know the judge, and that always builds camaraderie.”

“We’re adversaries, but we don’t have to be adversarial,” she continued. “We’re all just people. We can grow from each other and learn from each other. 

Adam Silvera, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts, and Honorable Matthew D’Emic, presiding judge for the Brooklyn Mental Health Court, at the 2026 Brooklyn Bar Association Annual Judiciary Night.

The Brooklyn Bar Association’s incoming president, Daniel Antonelli, said that giving attorneys the opportunity to meet and talk with judges outside of the courtroom can help cases go smoothly for both attorneys and judges alike. 

“Even if you’re not necessarily on the same side, even if it’s with your adversary, you have to have a good relationship in order for it to function,” Antonelli said. “If an attorney has an emergency application, if they know who to talk to, they could make sure that they get that done for their client. It’s really a give and take.”

Hon. Adam Silvera and Hon. Tamiko Amakerat the 2026 Brooklyn Bar Association Annual Judiciary Night.

The incoming judges on each Brooklyn bench this year, who were welcomed into office by the supervising or administrative judge for their respective court, are as follows: 

Brooklyn Supreme Civil Court: 

Hon. Maria Aragona, Hon. Derefim Neckles, Hon. Norma Jennings, Hon. Jill Epstein, Hon. Jacqueline Williams and Hon. Brian Gottleib.
Appellate Term Presiding Justice Wavy Toussaint speaks at the Brooklyn Bar Association’s Judiciary Night.

Brooklyn Supreme Criminal Court: 

Hon. Joshua Glick, Hon. Patrick Hayes-Torres, Hon. Dale Fong Frederick and Hon. Emily Ruben
New and old Kings County Supreme Criminal Court judges stand with Brooklyn Bar Association representatives.Isabella Gallo

Brooklyn Housing Court: 

Hon. Victor Faleck, Hon. Vanessa Fang, Hon. Logan Schiff, Hon. Travis Arrindell

Brooklyn Family Court: 

Hon. Dagmar Plaza-Gonzalez, Hon. Lola Waterman, Hon. Jessica Sin and Hon. Jacqueline Cabrera.

Brooklyn Criminal Court:

Hon. John McPadden, Hon. Edward Daniels, Hon. Juan Abreu, Hon. Nancy Fayed Carrington, Hon. Andres Casas, Hon. Natalie Barros and Hon. Duane Frankson.
Kings County Criminal Court Supervising Judge Keisha Espinal speaks at the Brooklyn Bar Association’s Judiciary Night.

Brooklyn Civil Court: 

Hon. Elena Baron, Hon. Tehilah Berman, Hon. Mark Kagan, Hon. Turquoise Haskin, Hon. Alexis Riley, Hon. Chidi Eze and Hon. Juliet Howard.