Message from the Co-Chairs

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission (“Williams Commission”) celebrates its 30th Anniversary as a permanent entity in the New York State Court System in June 2021.  Read more...

Statement Condemning Anti-Asian Violence

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission issued a statement in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and in response to the recent increase in bias and violent attacks across the United States.  Read more...

WELCOME TO THE COMMISSION

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission welcomes its newest Commissioner, Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing, and its newest staff member, Kim Stephens.  Read more...

The Importance of Judicial Diversity and Inclusion in the New York Courts

On October 14, 2020, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission co-sponsored with the CUNY School of Law Center for Latinx Rights and Equality (CLRE) a free webinar entitled, The Importance of Judicial Diversity and Inclusion in New York Courts.  Read more...

Eunice Carter Program

On October 20, 2020, the Historical Society of the New York State Courts, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and the Unified Court System’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion hosted a program showcasing the life and career of Eunice Carter, the first African American woman Assistant District Attorney in New York State. Read more...

Jury Diversity Program

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission partnered with the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association to host a free virtual seminar entitled Pathways to Jury Diversity on Thursday, November 12, 2020.  Read more...

Diversity in The Courts Program 3rd and 6th JDs

On November 19, 2020, the Commission held a virtual program for the Third and Sixth Judicial Districts, entitled The Importance of Diversity and Inclusion in Our Courts. Read more...

My Path to the Bench

In November 2020, the Bronx Women’s Bar Association held a program entitled, My Path to the Bench, highlighting several women judges, including FHW Commission Co-Chair Hon. Troy K. Webber and FHW Commissioner Hon. Llinét M. Rosado, who spoke on their journeys to the bench.

Mentee Check-In

On December 1, 2020, the Commission held a virtual Mentee Check-In for the judicial mentees in the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Mentor Program.  Read more...

Virtual Career Days in the Courts

In December 2020, the Youth Initiatives Committee of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission held two virtual career days in the Courts. Read more...

Town Halls

Earlier this year, the Commission held two Town Halls, entitled Dismantling Systemic Racism in the Courts. The purpose of these Town Halls was to engage in an honest dialogue regarding systemic racism and bias in the courts as the Commission takes steps to implement the recommendations of the Special Adviser on Equal Justice in the Courts. Read more...

New Judges Virtual seminar 2021

On January 8, 2021, the Commission Co-Chairs, Appellate Division Justices Shirley Troutman (Fourth Department) and Troy K. Webber (First Department), participated in the New Judges Virtual Program at the Judicial Institute, where they discussed the Commission, its mission and purpose and its action plan to address systemic racism in the Courts.

Our Story: Asian American Judges Share Their Path to the Bench, Diversity and Thoughts of the Future

On January 26, 2021, the Asian American Judges Association, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the New York City Bar Association and the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission presented “ Our Story: Asian American Judges Share Their Path to the Bench, Diversity and Thoughts of the Future. Read more...

Advancement of Judicial Diversity Award

On Friday, January 29, 2021, the Judicial Section of the New York State Bar Association, chaired by Hon. Barbara R. Kapnick, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department, awarded the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission the NYSBA Advancement of Judicial Diversity Award. Read more...

Red Carpet Event – A Bridge to Justice

On Wednesday, February 3, 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission along with WNED-TV (Buffalo) hosted a screening and panel discussion of A Bridge to Justice: The Life of Franklin H. Williams, a documentary on civil rights leader, lawyer and Peace Corps organizer Franklin H. Williams. Read more...

THE COMMISSION IS THE RECIPIENT OF THE 2021 SILVER TELLY FOR TELEVISION (GENERAL) – DOCUMENTARY

The documentary, A Bridge to Justice: The Life of Franklin H. Williams, is the recipient of the prestigious Telly Award. Read more...

Eighth Judicial District
Black History Month Program

On February 23, 2021, the Eighth Judicial District hosted a virtual Black History Month program, at which the keynote speaker was Hon. Letitia A. James, Attorney General of the State of New York.  Hon. Shirley Troutman, Co-Chair of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, one of the program’s co-sponsors, spoke on the Commission and its mission.

The Upstate Experience:  The Latin Bench –
Why their presence matters!

On Thursday, March 18, 2021, the Albany County Bar Association, the Latino Judges Association and the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission presented The Upstate Experience: The Latin Bench - Why their presence matters!  Read more...

Women’s History Month Event

On Thursday, March 25, 2021, the National Association of Women Judges, New York Chapter, hosted a Women’s History Month event entitled The Role of Women’s Organizations in Shattering Glass Ceilings - From Associate Justice of the United States Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Vice President of the United States Kamala Harris.  Read more...

Franklin H. Williams Bust Unveiling Ceremony

On Friday, March 26, 2021, Anthony Suárez, a former Commissioner of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, along with the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and other co-sponsors, hosted a ceremonial unveiling of the bust of Franklin H. Williams. Read more...

Pathways to Equity in Legal Education
and the Profession

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, City University of New York School of Law, St. John’s University School of Law, Syracuse University College of Law, and University at Buffalo School of Law co-hosted a virtual panel presentation, entitled Pathways to Equity in Legal Education and the Profession on Friday, April 16, 2021. Read more...

So You Want to Go to Law School

On Thursday, April 22, 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, the Cervantes Society, Inc., and the Tribune Society of the Courts of the State of New York co-hosted a virtual panel presentation for court employees entitled So You Want to Go to Law School? The panelists began with a discussion of the law school experiences of Hon. Sharen D. Hudson, Barry Clarke, Esq., and John V. Elmore, Esq.; all attended law school while working full-time for New York State and had successfully navigated the process. Read more...

Leaders of Tomorrow

On Monday, May 3, 2021, The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission held a virtual Law Day Program – Advancing the Rule of Law in the Pursuit of Justice for All. Program welcome and greetings were provided by Porter Kirkwood, Esq., District Executive, Sixth Judicial District, FHW Commissioner, and Hon. Mark Montour, Supreme Court, Erie County, FHW Commissioner. Read more...

New York State Council on Divorce Mediation Annual Conference

On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission hosted a roundtable discussion on Family Mediation: Why Diversity and Inclusion Matter. Read more...

The Impact of Franklin H. Williams' Legacy: Then, Today, Tomorrow

On Thursday, April 29, 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission co-sponsored a program on the legacy of Franklin H. Williams with the Westchester County Bar Association, White Plains Bar Association, and Westchester Black Bar Association. The event, The Impact of Franklin H. Williams' Legacy: Then, Today, Tomorrow,  explored the life and legacy of Ambassador Williams.  Read more...

ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH PROGRAM

On May 5, 2021, the Commission held an Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month program entitled, A Dialogue on Race and Sensitivity, which included a discussion on the challenges facing the AAPI judiciary and community, including addressing systemic bias and stereotypes in the legal profession and the judicial system and the increased incidents of racism, violence, and harassment amid the pandemic. Click on link to ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH PROGRAM VIDEO

FHW 30th Anniversary Program

On Thursday, May 20, 2021, the Sixth Judicial District held a program in honor of the 30th Anniversary of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. . Read more...

The Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Program

On Friday, May 28, 2021, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission hosted a Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Program. Read more...

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission Applauds Thomas Garry, Esq.

Congratulations to FHW Commissioner Thomas Garry of Harris Beach who was selected to the City and State New York’s List of High Impact and Influential Lawyers, the 2021 Law Power 100!  The recognition is well-deserved! As was noted in the City & State New York’s article, Commissioner Thomas Garry, an expert in election law, was tapped to serve as New York state counsel to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign last year. City and State 2021 Law Power 100

Congratulations!!

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission wishes to congratulate the appointees to the Appellate Division, First and Second Departments, and the New York State Court of Claims. Read more...

Special Note from Hon. Juanita Bing Newton

It’s rather serendipitous that my years working with the Commission began with the initial report, which was highly critical of the way minorities were treated in the court system, and ends with the Jeh Johnson report, which is highly critical of the way minorities are treated in the court system. Read more...

FEATURED SPOTLIGHT: HON. ROBERT E. TORRES
FHW Commissioner

Judge Robert Torres started his legal career as a paralegal working for a small personal injury law firm in Washington Heights in late 1974. Read more...

Spotlight

Highlighted in this article are Hon. Raja Rajeswari, Richmond County Criminal Court; Irini Bekhit, Esq., Associate Court Attorney, Richmond County Surrogate’s Court; Inga O’Neale, Principal Law Clerk, Kings County Supreme Civil Court; Sylvia T. Miranda, Court Analyst, Kings County Supreme Civil Court and President of the Cervantes Society, Inc.; and Leah Richardson, Network System Engineer, Kings County Supreme Criminal Court and President of the Tribune Society of the Courts of the State of New York. Read more...

In Memoriam

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission mourns the passing of former New York Court of Appeals Judge Paul Feinman, Retired Supreme Court Justice, Marquette L. Floyd and Supervising Judge Ruben Martino. Read more...

Remembering our former Commissioner
Hon. William J. Davis

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission was saddened to learn of the passing of Hon. William J. Davis, retired Associate Justice of the Appellate Term, First Department, and a former member of the Commission. Prior to serving as a First Department (Bronx and New York counties) Appellate Term justice, Justice Davis was a judge of the state Supreme Court and Criminal Court in New York County. FHW Co-Chair, Justice Webber, served as his Principal Law Clerk for a number of years.

Prior to joining the bench, Justice Davis had served as regional director with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands; executive director of the Bronx Small Development and Opportunities Corporation; assistant director of the Legal Division at the New York Housing and Development Board; and special legal consultant with the New York Housing and Redevelopment Board Bureau of Neighborhood Conservation.

A graduate of the City College of New York (CUNY) and Brooklyn Law School, Justice Davis had also been a partner with the New York law firm of Schuman, Wolf, Shuman and Davis, and a part-time arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

Newly Elected & Appointed Judges

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission congratulates newly-elected & appointed Judges. Read more...

Judiciary Achievements & Appointments

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission congratulates judiciary achievements & appointments. Read more...

ON THE MOVE

The Commission celebrates some of the pre-pandemic promotions of persons of color in the courts. Read more...

FRANKLIN H. WILLIAMS JUDICIAL COMMISSION
2021 SUMMER INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission is pleased to announce its 2021 Summer Internship Program. Read more...

Upcoming Events: JURY SUMMIT and more

On Thursday, June 17, 2021, the Commission will host a day-long Jury Summit Conference, Achieving Equal Justice Through Jury Service, to bring together court leaders and stakeholders to provide awareness of the need of more diverse jury compositions to better represent the communities in which they serve to ensure equal justice. The program sessions will discuss a range of jury management issues such as jury outreach, cultural sensitivity and implicit bias, community engagement in jury service, Batson challenges, and the future of jury selection. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE JURY SUMMIT

June - Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission 30th Year Anniversary – Oral History Series

June 23 - Leadership and Legislation: A New Generation Steps Forward in Congress

June 24 - Everything You Need to Know About Becoming a Judge

Photos of Commissioners

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission member photos. Read more...

We Want To Hear From You

We wish to highlight as many individuals as possible in our newsletters. If you would like to include your professional accomplishment or know someone whose appointment or promotion should be highlighted in our next newsletter, please share that information with us via the following link: FRANKLIN H. WILLIAMS NEWSLETTER SUBMISSION FORM

Thank you.

Commission Members

Hon. Shirley Troutman, Co-Chair
Hon. Troy K. Webber, Co-Chair
Hon. Shahabuddeen (Shah) A. Ally
Hon. Vanessa Bogan
Dr. Betty L. Campbell
Hon. George B. Daniels
Hon. Kathie Davidson
L. Austin D’Souza, Esq.
Hon. Lenora B. Foote, Esq.
Thomas J. Garry, Esq.
Hon. Craig D. Hannah
Nadine C. Johnson, Esq.
Professor Paula C. Johnson, Esq.
Lauren A. Jones, Esq.
Hon. Barbara R. Kapnick
Paul Kenny, Esq.
Porter L. Kirkwood, Esq.
Hon. yvonne lewis

Francis M. Letro, Esq.
Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan
Hon. Michael Carlos López
Major Clemont Mack
Hon. Mark A. Montour
Hon. Jeffrey K. Oing
Hon. Joanne D. Quiñones
Hon. Richard Rivera
Sandra Rivera, Esq.
Hon. Llinét M. Rosado
Hon. Robert E. Torres
Adrienne Williams, Esq.
Hon. Richard B. Lowe III, Chair Emeritus
Hon. Rose H. Sconiers, Chair Emeritus
Hon. Lewis L. Douglass, Chair Emeritus
Mary Lynn Nicolas-Brewster, Executive Director
Karlene Dennis, Associate Counsel
Kim Stephens, Staff Member