Frank K. Williams Commission tries to shine lights on opportunities and provide mentorship

January 9, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Hon. L. Austin D'Souza. Eagle file photo by Robert Abruzzese

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One of the biggest obstacles when it comes to finding a job as an attorney isn’t necessarily one’s skill set or lack of experience. Instead it just could simply be that a person didn’t know a job existed in the first place.

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission is working to help a diverse group of candidates know about positions within the court and how to apply for them. They also want to ensure that candidates are prepared once they get those positions.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, at 12:30 p.m. until 2 p.m., via Microsoft Teams, the Commission will host, “Attorney Careers in the Courts,” which is designed to highlight some of the positions available to attorneys.

The event is being co-sponsored by the Association of Law Secretaries to Justice of the Supreme and Surrogate’s Court in the City of New York, and the Court Attorneys Association of the City of New York.

“The Attorney Careers in the Courts is intended to attract more diverse candidates to those positions,” explained Judge Joanne Quinones, who chairs the Judicial Mentor Program of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. “Many people are not aware of the vast opportunities for lawyers in the court system, both paid and unpaid. We have court attorney positions, referee positions, support magistrate positions. We also have on the unpaid side special masters, small claims arbitrators, all which provide quasi-judicial experience to those who aspire to judicial positions.

“This program was something I’ve wanted to do for a long time because oftentimes members of diverse communities have no information about the vast opportunities and availability of these positions in our courts,” Quinones said. “Traditionally, the only way one learned about these opportunities was through word of mouth.”

That event will feature two sessions. The first session will last 45 minutes, will be moderated by FHW Commissioner Lauren Jones and will feature Justina Cintrón Perino, Kemar Hermitt, Jeanette Mercedes, and Oscar Quintero.

The second session will be moderated by Hon. L. Austin D’Souza, the newly elected judge assigned to the Kings County Civil Court, and will feature speakers Maritza Buitrago, Darlene Jorif-Mangane, and John A. Owens.

To register for this event, go to www.forms.gle/7RfawFUDfz6nrQqq5/

The Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission will also host Chat & Chew & Connect on Tuesday, January 31 at 6 P.M. This event will connect judicial mentors with new and prospective judges. Both events are a part of National Mentoring Month. For more information about either event email [email protected].