Casilda Elena Roper-Simpson

Level
Civil Court Judge, Countywide #4

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2020 LID Questionnaire Response

What is your current position/law practice? If you are presently a judge, what did you do prior to becoming a judge?

I am presently an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)/Hearing Officer, I preside at informal proceedings at a Governmental Agency, New York State Office of Temporary and Assistance Disability. As an Administrative Law Judge/Hearing Officer I am tasked with conducting hearings relating to social service issues including but not limited to public assistance, Medicaid, food stamps (SNAP) shelter allowance and assistance with rental arrears to prevent eviction.

I am also an Adjunct Professor at Molloy College since 2009 to present, I have taught undergraduate and graduate classes – including, but not limited to, Tort Law, Family Law, Foundation to Criminal Justice, Senior Seminar (a required class to graduate for graduation), civil liability in criminal justice, master thesis seminar,critical issues in criminal justice, national security and bill of rights.

In, June 2015, My Chairperson, Dr. Eterno asked me to be a contributing author to the “Detective Handbook” Chapter 17 “Detectives and The Criminal Investigation Process.”

Why are you qualified to be a judge?

When elected for Civil Court, Judges are often assigned to Criminal, Family or Civil Court. My varied experiences have prepared me to be assigned to either court. I am a former Senior Staff Attorney for the NYS Division of Human Rights in the
Prosecution Housing Litigation Unit. I commenced my legal career in private practice more than 25 years ago. I was a former attorney on the Assigned Counsel Misdemeanor Panel Kings County since 1998 handling criminal matters for the indigent. I am a former managing attorney for a foster care agency, handling neglect/abuse, TPR, adoption and other matters. I was an in-house attorney handling civil matters for clients such as Brooklyn Union Gas and Insurance Companies. I have conducted more than 30 bench and jury trials, some of which have been noted in “Verdict Search New York.” I also volunteered as an Arbitrator with the New York State Office of Court Administration, Queens County since 2009.

During my present position as an Administrative Law Judge, I conduct all hearings with impartiality, the required temperament and respect. I have acquired the necessary skills to listen to all litigants and maintain the necessary decorum throughout the hearing. My teaching experience allows me to simplify (layman terms) complex theories to pro se litigants as I do now in my present capacity as an ALJ.

My commitment and dedication to my community has provided me with the perspective to grasp the effect that the courts have on the lives of the people.
Among the many community services that I do, I provide pro-bono services to Life Camp Inc. and Reign4Life. Both organizations work with young people of the community to address gun and gang violence. I also enjoy mentoring, preparing and teaching the next generation of leaders. As I have been an Attorney for the People, I will be a Judge for the People.

I believe my knowledge of the law, legal experience, integrity, fairness, compassion and my commitment to justice qualify me to be a Civil Court Judge.

Please list your current endorsements and judicial screening results. Haitian Powerhouse and Black Law Enforcement Alliance. At this time, I am seeking additional endorsements and screening results.

What interventions and resources are required to ensure that all judges
and court personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community? What steps will you take to secure the necessary resources to implement the interventions?

Continuing training is required to ensure that all judges and court personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community. “In December 2016, the New York State Unified Court System established a new commission regarding LGBTQ issues for both employees and litigants with a stated mission of, “promoting equal participation and access throughout the court system by all persons regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.” Also, in January of 2018, the New York State Unified Court System established a “a new category of Continuing Legal Education (CLE): “Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias.”

The steps that I will take as a judge, is to ensure and require that all who appear in my courtroom refrain from bias or prejudice by their words or conduct. I will ensure that court staff, court officials or others do not manifest bias or prejudice in their behavior or conduct. Ensuring that the courthouse maintains a friendly environment, welcoming, and safe for the members of diverse LGBTG communities we serve, understanding that it is still work in progress. Another way in which my courtroom and staff can ensure competent, fair equal treatment is by knowing which New York City agencies intersect with the LGBTQ community. Knowing what legal service providers are specifically geared to the LGBTQ community, such as Housing Works Legal Services, is a practical way to assist self-represented LGBT litigants.

Note in my present position, I have recently received training “Gender Identity in the Workplace: A Toolkit for New York State Employees”

How will you commit to ensuring that preferred pronouns and gender identity are respected in your courtroom and on documents prepared by litigators and the court?

As the Judge, the administrator of my courtroom, I will most definitely lead by example.By my leading in my courtroom in using the appropriate pronouns and gender identity,

As the Judge, administrator of my courtroom, I will most definitely lead by example with strong judicial leadership, by my words and actions to be free from bias and prejudice to the LGBT community. To bring about the continued necessary systemic changes with providing a courthouse/courtroom that is a welcoming, friendly environment and safe for the members of diverse LBGT communities, understanding that the progress continues. I will set the example for not only the staff but also the public that sit in the audience.

Will you commit to appearing before the LGBT Bar Association (“LeGal”) judicial screening panel? Do you understand that this club may rescind your endorsement for failure to appear or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association?

Please note that I have submitted an application for an interview.

I understand that this club may rescind any endorsement for failure to appear or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association.