Janice Purvis for Civil Court Judge- Kings County

1) Endorsements So Far

Independent Neighborhood Democrats, Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, Assembly Member JoAnne Simon, Council Member Crystal Hudson, former Assembly Member James Brennan, former Assembly Member Joan Millman

2) Judicial Screening Results So Far

Found "Qualified" by Kings County Democratic Party Judicial Screening Committee

3) What is your current position/law practice?

I am a Court Attorney Referee in Kings County Supreme Court, and I also serve as a Special Referee on Uncontested Matrimonial Matters.

4) Why are you qualified to be a judge?

Comprehensive experience handling a variety of cases Over the span of 19 years in the Law Department in Kings County Supreme Court, I have worked on a variety of civil matters, including but not limited to personal injury (auto, premises liability, general negligence), medical and legal malpractice, labor law, family law, property, and breach of contract cases. Additionally, I have extensive experience on pre-trial discovery-related matters which includes analyzing relevant caselaw and applying Civil Practice Law and Rules, Uniform Civil Term and Discovery Part Rules. Excellent legal research and writing skills I have exceptionally strong legal research and writing skills necessary for a career on the bench. I have researched and analyzed complex legal issues, advised judges, and drafted decisions and orders for judges on a variety of civil cases and discovery matters. I was honored to be selected as an Adjunct Professor at New York Law School from 2009 to 2011, where I taught Legal Reasoning and Writing and Written and Oral Advocacy to first-year law students. I thoroughly enjoyed my tenure as a writing instructor, as I was able to use my skills to teach law students how to analyze legal issues and identify relevant case opinions, organize factual and legal arguments in clear and logical sequences, and write clear and concise prose. Confident, quick decision-making skills under significant time constraints In my quasi-judicial role as a Court Attorney Referee, I developed quick decision-making skills, and confidence in my ability to make decisive rulings under significant time constraints. Over the past 19 years I have worked in each of the distinct, high-volume discovery parts, which consist of the (1) Preliminary Conference, (2) Central Compliance Conference/Motion, (3) Note of Issue Final Conference, and (4) City Compliance Conference/Motion parts. I have conducted thousands of conferences, issuing rulings on discovery disputes in accordance with applicable case law, setting discovery schedules in compliance with Uniform Civil Term and individual part rules, and drafting orders resolving discovery motions for review and signature by the assigned Judge. Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills In addition, I have extensive experience working with self-represented litigants in both the discovery parts and in the Help Center, where I honed my ability to clearly communicate legal terminology and technical language to litigants. In the Help Center I explain Court policies and procedures, disseminate relevant informational materials and legal forms, supply pro bono and fee-based legal resources, and provide technology-based assistance to self-represented litigants using the Uncontested Divorce Program on computers available in the Help Center. The ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis I provide confidential assistance to judges, drafting opinions and orders in complex matters, and conferring with lawyers in conferences. In addition, on June 28, 2012, I was designated by Hon. Gail Prudenti, Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts, to determine issues in Matrimonial matters. As a Special Referee, I review and sign uncontested divorces in accordance with Uniform Matrimonial Rules; evaluate settlement agreements; determine child support, custody and visitation; and conduct statutory statewide searches pursuant to DRL §240 (1) (a-1). Civility, patience and respect Lastly, my integrity, fairness, compassion, and commitment to justice has prepared me for a career on the bench. I approach and consider each case as significant as the case before it. As a dedicated career public servant, I am deeply committed to the law and to public service. I am fair and impartial in my rulings and I exhibit a calm temperament in completing my duties. I am courteous, patient, and respectful to litigants, colleagues, and court staff, and I require similar conduct with whom I deal in an official capacity. I am continually challenged and intellectually stimulated in my current quasi-judicial role as a Court Attorney Referee in Kings County Supreme Court, and I am excited at the prospect of further growth and development that a judgeship would provide.

5) What interventions and resources are required to ensure that all judges and court personnel competently and respectfully serve and work with the LGBTQ community?

In addition to the mandatory implicit bias programs in place for judges and nonjudicial staff, I believe that there should be mandatory training for judges and nonjudicial staff regarding how to address the specific needs of the LGBTQ community, including gender identity, expression and orientation. In addition to training, all court staff should be aware of LGBTQ resources, such as information regarding legal services providers geared to the LGBTQ community, so that the information can be disseminated to unrepresented litigants within the community. There are programs and/or events offered within the Unified Court System that are specifically geared to the LGBTQ community which all court employees should be strongly encouraged to attend. Programs and/or events provided on behalf of the Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission, the Office for Justice Initiatives, and Second Judicial District’s Equal Justice Committee are not only informative; they provide an opportunity to actively support the LGBTQ community. For example, in April I attended the Failla Commission and Office for Justice Initiatives’ Inaugural Transgender Day of Visibility Name Change Day Program which included a name change ceremony for litigants. Within my chambers, I would request that my staff join me in attending LGBTQ programs and events.

6) 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 will review court documents and correspondence and ask litigants to ensure both preferred pronouns and gender identity is respected. I will also employ gender neutral language to litigants appearing before me. Lastly, I will employ a zero-tolerance policy for LGBTQ bias and discrimination.

7) 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 recently appeared before LeGal and received an "Approved" rating.

8) There are many aspects of the legal system that have contributed and continue to contribute to inequality and injustice (mass incarceration, right-wing anti-democracy judges, etc.) What would you do in your role as a judge to build a more just and fair legal system?

For 12+ years I’ve assisted self-represented litigants in the Help Center in Kings County Supreme Court. This experience gives me an intimate perspective on how the law impacts people who do not have adequate resources and, as a result, equal access to justice is extremely important to me. As a judge, I will build a more just and fair legal system by the following: (1) Maintaining fairness and impartiality; treating all individuals with respect, dignity and professionalism (2) Providing clear, understandable explanations so that litigants understand the legal process and their rights (3) Actively listening to litigants, taking into account their specific lived experiences, and responding to their needs and concerns (4) Collaborating with court staff to improve access to justice (5) Supporting access to justice initiatives (6) Receiving training on issues facing marginalized communities and equal access to justice