Judicial Ratings for the June 24, 2025, Primary Elections

Announcing our Ratings of Candidates for Judges of the New York City Civil

Court on the Ballot for the June 24, 2025 Primary Elections

June 17, 2025 – The Judiciary Committee of The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL) is pleased to announce its ratings of candidates in the contested primary elections for the five counties of New York City for the office of Judge of the New York Civil Court.

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 Judiciary Committee’s Rules require that the Judiciary Committee be satisfied that the candidate, once on the bench, would: 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 his or her courtroom or office.    

To obtain a rating of "Highly Approved," the Judiciary Committee’s Rules require that the candidate demonstrates that they possess all the characteristics required for an "Approved" rating to an outstanding degree and, in addition, must have a demonstrated commitment to the equality of rights for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.  

KINGS COUNTY:
 

Civil Court—Countywide

• Janice Chen—Approved
• Marisa Arrabito—Failed to Appear
• Susan Lieberman—Approved
• Janice P. Purvis—Approved

BRONX COUNTY:
 

Civil Court—Countywide

• Shekera Anessa— Failed to Appear
• George M. Santana— Failed to Appear

QUEENS COUNTY:

Civil Court—Countywide

• John J. Ciafone—Approved
• Sheridan C. Chu—Failed to Appear

Civil Court—1st Municipal Court District

• Juliette-Noor Haji—Highly Approved
• Thomas G. Wright-Fernandez—Failed to Appear

Civil Court—2nd Municipal Court District

• Julie M. Milner—Failed to Appear
• Eve Cho Guillergan—Approved

LGBT Bar NY's 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 G. Tenriero, Esq.
• Lauren J. Zimmerman, Esq.
• Dante Bellardita Fernández, Post-JD Intern