The ceremony began with a performance by the Big Apple Youth Academy, setting a celebratory tone. This was followed by a formal presentation of colors by the Ceremonial Unit of the NYS Court Officers Association. The event, which took place in Brooklyn Law School despite Justice Piela Cohen being a Cardozo School of Law alumna, included benedictions from Hon. Saul Stein and Rev. Sharmaine Byrd.

Several notable figures in the legal and political community, including Hon. Frank Seddio, district leader Henry Butler, Justice Aaron Maslow, Susan Crumiller, Derek Gaskill, Nicholas Tamborra and district leader Jacque Painter offered remarks. Their speeches likely touched upon various aspects of Justice Piela Cohen’s career and contributions to the community.

The official swearing-in was conducted by Hon. Rosemarie Montalbano, marking the culmination of the event and the beginning of Justice Piela Cohen’s tenure in the Kings County Supreme Court. The ceremony’s focus on family and community reflects the values and support system that have been integral to Justice Piela Cohen’s legal career and success.

Justice Caroline Piela Cohen, previously elected to the Brooklyn Civil Court in 2019, epitomizes a blend of legal acumen and heartfelt community involvement. Her journey to the bench, marked by a deep sense of social justice and family values, began with her early legal career and community engagement in Brooklyn.

Piela Cohen first emerged as a notable figure in the legal community after joining a “Ditmas Park Moms” group in 2012. Her warmth and intelligence quickly caught the attention of Susan Crumiller, who later recruited her to work at a feminist litigation firm specializing in civil rights. 

At Crumiller’s firm, Piela Cohen distinguished herself not only as an adept litigator but also as a compassionate advocate for those discriminated against in the workplace.

Her professional ethos is deeply rooted in a commitment to social justice, inspired partly by the experiences of her mother, Carol, who faced barriers in her own pursuit of a legal career. This personal history instilled in Cohen a determination to empower others, particularly in fighting against gender and pregnancy discrimination. Her legal prowess, combined with a drive to effect positive change, led her to focus on cases involving sexual harassment, caregiver status, and maternity discrimination.

Cohen’s decision to run for office was a direct response to the 2016 election, channeling her passion for justice into a desire to serve the community more broadly. Her campaign resonated with the Brooklyn community, earning her endorsements from various political and legal figures and organizations.

Beyond the courtroom, Cohen’s community involvement is extensive. She co-founded Ditmas Art, a mixed media arts organization focused on political discourse, and has been active in the Kings County Democratic Committee. Her dedication to community service was recognized when she was named Community Leader of the Year by Brooklyn Young Democrats in 2018.

A graduate of the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, with a Master’s Degree and Bachelor of Arts from New York University, Cohen brings a wealth of academic and practical experience to her role as a judge. Her approach to the bench is marked by a commitment to fair and swift justice, ensuring that each litigant is heard and treated with respect.

Justice Piela Cohen actually got the least amount of votes during the general election for Supreme Court, a fact that was proudly brought up during the ceremony since it was the result of being the only judge on the ballot in Brooklyn who didn’t accept support of the local Republican Party. However, she was easily able to defeat her counterpart to win her election.