Announcing our Ratings of Judicial Candidates for the November 4, 2025, General Election

Announcing our Ratings for the 2025 General Election 

October 24, 2025 – In advance of the November 4, 2024 General Election, the Judiciary Committee of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York is pleased to announce its ratings of all candidates: (i)) for New York State Supreme Court in 1^st, 2^nd, 9^th, 10^th, 11^th and 13^th Judicial Districts (comprising New York, Kings, Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, Queens and Richmond Counties); and (ii) for New York City Civil Court in Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens and Richmond Counties). Candidates were eligible to receive the following ratings:  "Highly Approved," "Approved," "Not Approved," or "Failed to Appear."  

In order to obtain an "Approved" rating, the Panel must be satisfied that the candidate, once on the bench, will: 1) demonstrate a commitment to the equality of rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people; 2) possess the integrity, intellect, experience, and temperament required of judicial office; and 3) perform judicial duties without bias or prejudice against or in favor of any person and will not permit discrimination against any minority in their courtroom.

In order to obtain a rating of "Highly Approved," the candidate must possess all of the characteristics required for an "Approved" rating to an outstanding degree, and in addition must have demonstrated a history of commitment to the equality of rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.

JUSTICES OF THE NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT

Supreme Court — First Judicial District (New York County)

Suzanne Adams—Highly Approved

James G. Clynes—Highly Approved

Deborah A. Kaplan—Highly Approved

Judy Kim—Approved

Gowri Krishna—Failed to Appear

Jared Trujillo—Failed to Appear

Supreme Court — Second Judicial District (Kings County)

            Maria Aragona—Failed to Appear

            Betsy Barros—Failed to Appear

            Claudia Daniels-DePeyster—Approved

Jill R. Epstein—Highly Approved

Brian L. Gotlieb—Failed to Appear

            Norma Jennings—Highly Approved

Carl J. Landicino—Failed to Appear

            Derefim Neckles—Failed to Appear

            Jacqueline Williams—Failed to Appear

Supreme Court — Ninth Judicial District (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland and Westchester Counties)

Diane M. Clerkin—Approved

John P. Collins, Jr.—Highly Approved

Thomas Humbach—Failed to Appear (carried over from 2024)

Desmond C. Lyons—Approved

Raymond P. Raiche—Failed to Appear

Verris B. Shako—Highly Approved

George A. Smith— Failed to Appear

Kiel E. Van Horn—Failed to Appear

Supreme Court — Tenth Judicial District (Nassau and Suffolk Counties)       

Supreme Court — Eleventh Judicial District (Queens County)

Richard Felix —Failed to Appear

Ira R. Greenberg—Approved

Gary F. Miret—Approved

Gary Muraca—Failed to Appear (carried over from 2024)

Sandra Perez—Approved

Soma S. Syed—Failed to Appear

Frances Y. Wang—Highly Approved

Supreme Court — Thirteenth Judicial District (Richmond County)

Matthew P. Blum—Approved           

Raymond L. Rodriguez—Approved

JUDGES OF THE NEW YORK CITY CIVIL COURT

Civil Court — Bronx County (Countywide)

            Shekera Anessa Algarin—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — First Municipal Court District of Bronx County

            Katherine A. O'Brien—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Second Municipal Court District of Bronx County

            Lauvienska E. Polanco—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Kings County (Countywide)

Marisa Arrabito—Approved 

Janice Chen—Approved

Civil Court — Second Municipal Court District of Kings County 

            Sheridan Jack-Browne—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Fourth Municipal Court District of Kings County 

            Chidi A. Eze—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Sixth Municipal Court District of Kings County 

            Juliet P. Howard—Highly Approved

Civil Court — Seventh Municipal Court District of Kings County 

            Duane Frankson—Failed to Appear

            Dagmar Plaza-Gonzalez—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Third Municipal Court District of New York County

             Eric J. Wursthorn—Highly Approved[1]

Civil Court — Seventh Municipal Court District of New York County

            Onya Brinson—Highly Approved

Civil Court — Eighth Municipal Court District of New York County

Lisa S. Headley— Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Ninth Municipal Court District of New York County

Terence W. McCormick—Approved

Civil Court — Queens County (Countywide)

Thomas D. Barra—Failed to Appear

            Sheridan C. Chu—Failed to Appear

            Indira D. Khan—Failed to Appear

Oma D. Phillips—Approved

William David Shanahan—Failed to Appear

            Susan M. Silverman —Failed to Appear

Civil Court — First Municipal Court District of Queens County 

            Juliette-Noor Haji—Highly Approved

Civil Court — Second Municipal Court District of Queens County 

Stephen C. Dachtera—Failed to Appear       

Eve Cho Guillergan—Approved

Thomas G. Wright-Fernandez—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Fourth Municipal Court District of Queens County 

            Gail A. Adams—Failed to Appear

            Fania Jean—Failed to Appear

            Mary-Ann E. Maloney—Failed to Appear

Civil Court — Fifth Municipal Court District of Queens County 

            Jennifer A. Tubridy—Approved

Civil Court — First Municipal Court District of Richmond County 

            Matthew J. Santamauro—Failed to Appear

Remy Smith—Approved

The Judiciary Committee

Janice B. Grubin, Esq., Co-Chair

Alexandra P. Kolod, Esq., Co-Chair

Michael J. Weiner, Esq., Vice-Chair

James A. Naumann, Esq., Secretary

George D. Adames, Esq., Executive Team Member

Christina M. Browne, Esq., Executive Team Member

Craig A. Convissar, Esq.

Lee Coppage, Esq.

Michael B. Gallub, Esq.

Brendan M. Gibbons, Esq.

Martha L. Golar, Esq.

Robert H. King, Esq.

Gregory A. Locke, Esq.

Concepcion A. Montoya, Esq.

Drake Reed, Esq.

Joseph H. Rochman, Esq.

Richard Saenz, Esq.

Christopher Salloum, Esq.

Jorge Tenreiro, Esq.

Lauren J. Zimmerman, Esq.