Marva Brown

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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 at the Legal Aid Society in the Criminal Defense Practice.  I have worked as a public defender for 15 years. 

Why are you qualified to be a judge?

I am qualified to be a judge because I know the law, I have experience litigating cases from arraignment to verdict, I conduct legal research and write persuasive memoranda of law, and I have the temperment that is needed to be empathetic to the plight of litigants without any semblence of ego. 

Please list your current endorsements and judicial screening results.

I don't have any endorsements as of yet.  My judicial screenings with the NYC Bar and LeGal are pending. 

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?

All judges and court personnel should undergo diversity and sensitivity training. There should be a method of making confidential reports of  incidents so that there is no retaliation, which should be investigated by an independent body.  Where a complaint is substantiated, re-training should be mandatory before the offending party can be allowed back to work.  I would be open to participating in all aspects of a plan to protect the interests of the LGBTQ community.  

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 ensure that preferred pronouns and gender identity are respected by leading by example.  I have been an ally of the LGBTQ Community for years and have no problem standing up and speaking out when someone is being disrespectful. 

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 have already submitted my completed  questionnaire to LeGal and my interview is scheduled for May 17, 2021. And yes, I understand the policy about rescinding an endorsement.