Lisa Lewis

Level
Civil Court Judge, 2nd District

More Information
Campaign Site

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 currently a staff attorney with DC37 Municipal Employees Legal Services. I represent New York City employees and retirees in matrimonial court proceedings.

Why are you qualified to be a judge?

I am qualified to be a judge based upon my legal experience and commitment to community. I have over 25 years of extensive legal experience in New York City Courts. I began my legal career in public service as a student attorney with the Juvenile Justice Clinic at the University of Texas representing indigent juveniles charged with criminal offenses. After graduating law school I began working at the Legal Aid Society in the Civil Practice and Criminal Appeals Bureau before entering the court system. Subsequently, I served as a court attorney in both the Criminal Court and Civil Court. In addition to legal writing and analysis, I sat next to the judge during hearings, trials and arraignments. After leaving the court system, I returned to criminal defense practice with the Center for Appellate Litigation. Currently, I manage a high-volume caseload of matrimonial cases involving child custody and visitation, child support and equitable distribution of marital assets.

In addition, I am committed to serving the community. I am a member of Community Board 3 where I sit on the Housing and Land Use Committee. I am also a member of the executive board of my block association and the Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant, Inc. I educate people about their rights and advocate for civic empowerment and engagement. I also lead workshops on issues affecting community residents including housing, criminal justice and estate planning. As a member of the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Brooklyn Pipeline Initiative and the Mentorship Program I support college students and young attorneys to promote diversity in the legal system and the courts.

Please list your current endorsements and judicial screening results.

I have been endorsed by DC37, Vanguard Independent Democratic Association and District Leaders: Annette M. Robinson, Henry L. Butler, Anthony T. Jones, Shaquana Boykin, Shirley M. Patter and Edu Hermelyn.

The Kings County Judicial Screening Committee has found me qualified twice.

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?

In order to ensure that judges and court personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community there needs to be continued education around and enforcement of the use of proper pronouns, names and titles. In addition, judges and all court personnel should be required to complete training geared toward reducing gender and sexual orientation bias. The education should include legal resources that are specific to meeting the needs of the LGBTQ Community such as the New York Legal Assistance Group and the Brooklyn Legal Services LGBT Advocacy Group.

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?

I would treat all persons in accordance with their gender identity, including appropriate titles of respect and the preferred names and pronouns. I would remind all court officers to do the same by reminding them not to make presumptions based upon societal stereotypes. When made aware of inappropriate, rude or discourteous conduct I will speak to the person directly and if necessary report the behavior to the Office of Court Administration. Finally, in cases where the person has expressed a preferred pronoun I would note that in the court file to prevent misgendering by litigators and the court.

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?

I will appear before the LeGaL judicial screening panel. I understand that this club may rescind my endorsement for failure to appear or receiving a non-qualified rating from the association.