Lola Waterman sworn in as civil court judge in Brooklyn

January 5, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Judge Lola Waterman takes the oath of office, administered by Hon. Lisa Ottley, marking a momentous step in her legal career.
Photos courtesy of 1028 Photography LLC.

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Lola Waterman, a respected legal education organizer, marked a significant milestone in her career on Saturday, Dec. 9, as she was officially sworn in as a Civil Court Judge during a ceremony at Antioch Baptist Church.

A congregation of support: The Antioch Baptist Church filled with attendees, gathered to witness the investiture of Judge Lola Waterman.

Waterman, elected to the bench in Brooklyn this past November, saw her investiture celebrated in a ceremony filled with notable attendees and heartfelt speeches.

Judge Lola Waterman and her husband, Rev. Robert Waterman, with Attorney General Letitia James.

The event was graced by the presence of notable figures such as Attorney General Letitia James and Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman, who shared the duties of mistress of ceremony. The ceremony featured remarks from Kings County Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, Henry Butler, Kenesha Traynham-Cooper, Shaquana Boykin, Michael Boomer, Akel Williams and Sarana Purcell, reflecting the high regard in which Judge Waterman is held in the community.

Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn bestows a citation upon Judge Lola Waterman, recognizing her achievements and contributions to the legal community.

Additional insights were provided by attorneys Michael Benjamin and Yvonne Agbontaen, Marilyn Mosley, Leonard Ejiogu and Rev. Dr. Cheryl Anthony, all adding to the significance of the occasion. The solemnity of the ceremony was further enhanced by the “Blessing of the Robe” conducted by Rev. Dr. Robert Waterman, followed by the oath of office administered by Hon. Lisa Ottley, a judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term.

Attorney Michael Benjamin addresses the audience, highlighting Judge Lola Waterman’s anticipated impact on the legal profession.

Born in East Lansing, Michigan, and educated in Nigeria, Lola Waterman’s life was dramatically impacted by the tragic loss of her father in a carjacking when she was just 16. This event set her on a path towards justice, a journey that took her from Arizona State University to New York Law School, where she found her calling.

Judge Lola Waterman and her husband, Robert, share a celebratory moment with U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer.

After graduating, Waterman established her practice, specializing in immigration, elder law and estate planning, and later transitioned to a role as a principal law clerk in the Supreme Court. Her career is marked by a commitment to equal access to justice, evident in her intricate work on complex legal issues and her ongoing volunteer work. She serves as a small claims arbitrator, a special referee in Kings County Supreme Court, and provides pro bono services to the community.

Hon. Lola Waterman dons her judicial robe for the first time, symbolizing her new role as a Civil Court judge.

In addition to her legal work, Judge Waterman is a writer and community educator, organizing estate planning and elder law seminars and writing for Our Time Press. Her role in the community extends to being an active member of the Antioch Baptist Church, where she is married to the pastor, and a devoted mother to her three daughters.