CARROLL GARDENS — The Kings County Criminal Bar Association, a community legal organization dedicated to the improvement of the criminal justice system in Brooklyn, held its annual summer get-together at Luana’s Tavern, 449 Court St., the evening of June 24.
The purpose of the event, according to KCCBA President Michael Sheinberg, was to celebrate a successful and productive year. “We’ve done so much, including sponsoring a lot of great CLEs, and our membership has also been up,” Sheinberg said. “So this is basically our give back to everybody.”
Hundreds of people showed up at the soiree, including judges, attorneys and court clerks in addition to representatives from the District Attorney’s office and the Attorney General’s office.
Hon. Matthew D’Emic, administrative judge for criminal matters in the Kings County Supreme Court and a staunch supporter of the KCCBA, called the organization a band of brothers and sisters held together by friendship, not ego and material success.
Longtime member and past President George Farkas, Esq., said being a member of the KCCBA is one of the great advantages of practicing law.
“Get-togethers like this reinforce the special bond we all share,” Farkas said. “It’s a wonderful thing to meet up not to discuss business but to talk about life in general. I believe it helps the profession, the courts and society in general.”
Member and past President Darran Winslow, Esq., echoed Farkas’ sentiments.
“The KCCBA does such a great job of bringing the judiciary and the prosecutors in the defense bar together,” he said. “We break bread and spend time with each other, and it really benefits everyone involved.”
Paul Hirsch, Esq., president-elect of the KCCBA. Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
Member and past President Michael Farkas, Esq., added that this annual event best illustrates what the KCCBA is all about — creating a space where every stakeholder in the criminal justice system can interact and work together to serve the people of Brooklyn.
“We’re not just integral players in our justice system, we’re also neighbors living in this same community.”
Attorney Paul Hirsch, who will take over for Sheinberg as president in January, told the Brooklyn Eagle that the KCCBA is a great group of people who really care about the job that they do.
Hirsch has been a member for close to 15 years and also served as executive vice president. As president, he plans to continue accomplishing great things and make the KCCBA even more interesting and fresh.
The KCCBA counts among its membership judges, prosecutors, attorneys from indigent defense providers, military service members and private criminal defense lawyers practicing in the Federal and State courts who are among the most accomplished trial practitioners in New York.
KCCBA members also serve the greater legal community by maintaining leadership positions with city and statewide bar associations, serving on advisory committees and panels and promoting charitable causes.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
