Columbian Lawyers Association’s monthly meeting highlights matrimonial matters with Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine

September 8, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

The Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn and its President Yolanda Guadagnoli invited Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine to speak at the group’s monthly meeting in Coney Island on Wednesday.
Eagle photos by Mario Belluomo

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On Wednesday, Sept. 6, the Columbian Lawyers Association held its monthly meeting at Gargiulo’s Restaurant in Coney Island. It was the first meeting under new president Yolanda Guadagnoli, and the spotlight of the evening was on the Hon. Jeffrey S. Sunshine, the statewide coordinating judge for matrimonial matters.

With a speech titled, “Matrimonial Rules, Law & Forms…What’s New, What May Be Coming,” Judge Sunshine shed light on the intricacies and ongoing changes in matrimonial law. One of the focal points of his presentation was the top 20 most common mistakes when filing uncontested divorce forms — an essential takeaway for legal professionals looking to ensure their clients navigate this process smoothly.

Moreover, he discussed the harmonization of the Supreme Court rules with the Matrimonial Rules. The Joint Divorce Pilot programs, especially the one simplifying the Uncontested Divorce process in New York, took center stage as well. It’s noteworthy that Brooklyn is among the counties actively participating in this pilot.

Judge Sunshine also touched upon the Kings County Uncontested Matrimonial Part Uniform Rules and Protocols. These discussions resonated deeply, offering valuable insights to the legal community on both current practices and potential future developments.

As the Statewide Coordinating Judge for Matrimonial Matters since June 2018, Justice Sunshine has regularly engaged with various judicial and administrative stakeholders. His endeavors during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly the creation of the virtual evidence courtroom (VEC), showcased his proactive approach to judicial innovation.

Justice Sunshine’s work extends beyond the courtroom. He led the creation of the Uncontested Joint Divorce Pilot Project and has also been pivotal in harmonizing court rules, ensuring they are accessible to self-represented litigants and survivors of domestic violence or intimate partner violence. His efforts also shine through in the Matrimonial Judges dashboard, which allows for more efficient tracking of caseloads.

A former president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, Justice Sunshine’s dedication to the legal profession has spanned decades.

At the meeting the Columbian Lawyers announced the creation of its new website— www.clabklyn.org — which will promote its upcoming events, like its next continuing legal education meeting in Coney Island on Oct. 4, or its Italian Heritage Month event at Tiro A Segno in Manhattan on Oct. 17. See the new website for more details.

Columbian Lawyer Grace Borrino, a past president of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association, will be installed as the corresponding secretary of the Federation of Columbian Lawyers on Monday, Sept. 25 at Barosa Restaurant in Rego Park, Queens.