Brooklyn Bar honors Justice Knipel during Ted Jones Memorial Golf Outing

May 19, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

The Brooklyn Bar Association honored Justice Lawrence Knipel, the administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, during the 11th Annual Hon. Theodore T. Jones, Jr. Memorial Golf Outing. Justice Knipel (center) is pictured with Joseph Rosato (left), president-elect of the BBA, and Anthony Lamberti (right), past president. Brooklyn Eagle photos by Mario Belluomo.

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The 11th annual Hon. Theodore T. Jones, Jr. Memorial Golf Outing, hosted by the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA) at the Colonia Country Club in New Jersey, marked a notable shift in tradition this year.

For the first time, the event paid tribute to a serving member of the judiciary, the Administrative Judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term – Justice Lawrence Knipel.

The Brooklyn Bar Association honored Justice Lawrence Knipel, the administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term.

The memorial outing, attended by over 80 golfers and additional members of the BBA, commemorates the legacy of the late Judge Theodore T. Jones, Jr., and serves as a key fundraiser for the BBA’s charitable arm, the Brooklyn Bar Association Foundation.

“The Ted Jones Golf Outing was a big success this year thanks to the perfect weather conditions,” said Past President Anthony Lamberti, who chairs the committee in charge of the outing. “With sunny skies and temperatures in the low 70s, we couldn’t have asked for a more ideal golfing day.”

From left: Joseph Rosato, Jeffrey Lisabeth, John Tomsky, Anthony Lamberti, Hon. Rolando Acosta, and Richard Gurfein.

Judge Jones, a Brooklyn native and St. John’s University School of Law alumnus, was an ardent advocate for individual rights. His career spanned from working as a Legal Aid attorney to a law secretary, private practice, and eventually ascending to New York State’s highest court – the Court of Appeals in 2007. Yet, perhaps his most profound legacy lies in his commitment to mentoring young lawyers and students.

Judge Jones was a cherished member of the Brooklyn Bar Association for more than 25 years. Known for his hands-on approach, he often invited students to observe court proceedings, following up with discussions on the intricacies of the law. This tireless commitment to nurturing future legal minds, coupled with his profound sense of justice and community service, made him a beloved figure in the New York legal community.

From left: Eric DiNapoli, Adam Kalish, Lou Spano, and Scott Sullivan.

His contributions have been recognized with awards from the Brooklyn Bar Association, Kings County Inns of Court, Metropolitan Black Bar Association, Tribune Society, and the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, among others.

“Initiating this golf outing was a long time coming; it’s a concept that should’ve been brought to life even before it did,” Lamberti said. “However, it was the unfortunate passing of Judge Jones that provided the catalyst for this event.

“We have a lot of members who love to golf and who love to get together with each other so the outing became an instant success,” Lamberti continued. “Colonia is challenging but offered a delightful backdrop for the outing, and I think people really enjoyed the dinner and awards portion of the event afterward.”

Chief Michael Magliano (left) and Anthony Lamberti.

This year, the BBA was proud to honor Justice Lawrence Knipel at the Memorial Golf Outing. Justice Knipel, who holds a Master of Laws in Taxation from New York University, currently serves as the Administrative Judge for Civil Matters in Kings County.

Over his illustrious 25-year tenure on the bench, Justice Knipel has been credited with being instrumental in streamlining court procedures and increasing efficiency, even presiding over the nation’s most comprehensive central pre-trial discovery complex.

From left: Chief Joseph Baccellieri, Anthony Lamberti, Chief Michael Magliano, and Capt. James Campbell.

Justice Knipel’s dedication to the law and the Brooklyn community resonates in his myriad professional accomplishments. As a Trial Justice, he has handled complex SEQRA, Toxic Tort, Employment Discrimination, and Medical Malpractice litigation. His past honors include the Annual Award of the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Benjamin Cardozo Award from the Jewish Lawyers Guild, the Ecumenical Award from the Catholic Lawyers Guild, and the Distinguished State Jurist Award from the Defense Association of New York.

A committed community leader, Justice Knipel, when not presiding over legal matters, can be found honing his guitar skills or enthusiastically road running. He continues to serve as an inspiration for the BBA members and the wider Brooklyn community.

From left: Eric Feldbaum, George Farkas, Joseph Bavaro, and Stephen McCarthy.

“Judge Knipel is in his position as administrative judge for a reason — he’s a great jurist and is very well respected. On top of that he’s a tremendous leader,” Lamberti said. “The award being in Judge Jones’ name, we wanted to be sure that we picked someone who was really worthy and the committee really felt like he was the obvious choice.

“Judge Knipel has also played in, I think, every one of the outings we’ve had,” Lamberti continued. “It’s not just this event either, Judge Knipel is a tremendous supporter of the Brooklyn Bar Association, our functions, and the community in general. He knows how important some of our events are and often all you have to do is give him the date and he’s there. We really appreciate having such an active supporter amongst the judiciary.”

The Brooklyn Bar Association Foundation, Inc. is a recognized nonprofit organization that is committed to providing an array of services to both the legal community and the general public. These services include offering complimentary educational programs and maintaining a comprehensive law library. The foundation plays a crucial role in supporting aspiring lawyers by providing dozens of scholarships to students over the years.