Brooklyn judicial community celebrates judge’s 30-year tenure

May 22, 2013 By Charisma L. Miller, Esq. Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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The judicial and legal community commemorated Brooklyn Supreme Court Justice William Miller’s 30-year tenure as supervising judge of Kings County Criminal Court with an event on Monday at Brooklyn Law School’s Forchelli Conference Center.

“Tonight we honor a man of character, integrity, and dignity,” Acting Supreme Court Justice Joseph Gubbay said, setting the tone for the evening. In 1983, the late NYC Mayor Edward Koch appointed Miller to the Criminal Court bench after a stint in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.

Miller quickly rose up through the ranks, becoming Brooklyn Criminal Court’s Supervising Judge in 1985.  In 2012, Miller relinquished his role as Supervising Judge when he was elected to Brooklyn Supreme Court, Criminal Term, allowing him to remain on the bench past the age of 70.

Miller, who has spent the majority of his legal career at Criminal Court, “love[s] being at Supreme Court,” but has not lost his love for Criminal Court.  While Miller has a “beautiful office” at 320 Jay St., it has not diminished his affinity for the staff and personnel at Criminal Court.  

“Criminal Court is not an institution,” Miller said. “It is not a building. It is a way of life.”

“We accomplished a lot during my time in Criminal Court,” Miller once told the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. “It was all a collaborative effort. I was merely a part of the collaboration.”  

Brooklyn Law School Dean Nick Allard admired the “respect and admiration” Miller received from his peers. “Respect and admiration of peers is the most difficult to earn, and judging by the friends here, [Hon. Miller] is a wealthy man.”

Allard acknowledged the judges, lawyers, and court staff in the room. He said, “[BLS] students hold you in awe. They have great respect for what you have done. You are the beacon for them.”

Miller was genuinely moved by the words and remarks of celebration of his tenure. “I want to thank all of you,” he said to the crowd. “If it were not for you, I would not be here. Where I would be, I do not know,” Miller concluded with a smile.

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