In pursuit of its mission to diversify the New York state judiciary, The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission held a speed networking event in Brooklyn on Tuesday, giving undergraduate and law students a chance to sit across the table and mingle with a group of judges and attorneys.
The program titled “Chat, Connect & Continue” was hosted by the commission’s Judicial Mentor Program at the Brooklyn Supreme Civil Courthouse on July 28.
“We strive to promote equal access and full participation in the court system by persons and communities of color in the judicial process and the legal profession,” FHW co-Chair and First Department Associate Justice Troy Webber said. “In our current society, for some reason, diversity, equity, and inclusion are frowned upon and not thought of as things that you should strive to achieve, so this is something again that we are attempting to bring to light.”
The mentoring circles program gave students an experience to get career advice from experienced judges and legal professionals from a wide range of legal venues, including the state Supreme Court, Court of Claims, Family Court, Housing Court and Criminal court. The program was part of the commissioner’s Judicial Mentor Program, which pairs early-career attorneys and law students with judges and experienced practitioners to help strengthen the pipeline into the judiciary for young diverse lawyers.
“My mentor, who retired last year, helped me navigate every step of the journey,” FHW Judicial Mentor Program Chair and Second Department appellate court Justice Joanne D. Quiñones said. “That relationship, that experience is one of the reasons why I believe so deeply in the power of mentorship.”
The program also gave several participants an opportunity to discuss its benefits.
“To get to housing court, you do have to be appointed, and there are several interviews. There are several processes that you have to go through. You probably have to go through it more than once, so having someone who had gone through the process, from beginning to end, was incredibly helpful,” said New York City Housing Court Judge Alberto Gonzalez.
New York City Housing Court Judge Alberto GonzalezPhoto by Max Parrott
Legal Aid Society staff attorney Naya Brown-Yohay, a former FHW legal intern, added that the perspective she gained as an intern helped her navigate the start of her legal career without feeling totally overwhelmed.
Legal Aid Society staff attorney Naya Brown-YohayPhoto by Max Parrott
One law student, Nago Wilkins, has been working as an intern for Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice Ingrid Joseph. Wilkins said he wanted to continue working within the court system.
Wilkins explained that he came to law school after getting involved in advocating for students with disabilities and was interested in working as a court clerk after law school.
Another law school student, Sam Kamara, told amNew York that he came to the event because he was deciding whether to pursue a career in sports and entertainment law or work within the court system.
“That would be my main focus, just seeing how the court works and how every court is different, and just to learn how to be a better attorney,” Kamara said.
Franklin H. Williams facilitated speed networking.Photo by Max Parrott 
Students interested in a legal career press the flesh with a panel of experienced lawyers and judges.Photo by Max Parrott