Hon. Bernard Graham sworn in as Kings County Surrogate Court Justice

January 16, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Hon. Bernard Graham has his family at his side as he is officially sworn in as the elected Surrogate Court justice in Kings County by the NYC Corporation Counsel Sylvia Hinds-Radix (left).
Photos: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle

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Justice Bernard Graham was officially installed as the elected Surrogate Court Justice of Kings County during a ceremony at Brooklyn Law School on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

The event was presided over by Hon. Sylvia Hinds-Radix, NYC corporation counsel, and was kicked off by a bagpipe processional led by William Gillen, past president of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association.

The ceremony was a gathering of esteemed legal professionals and community leaders, including former Borough President Marty Markowitz; Hon. Deborah Kaplan, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of New York City, and Hon. Frank Seddio, retired Surrogate Court judge and the former chair of the Kings County Democratic Party, family members, including Graham’s son Aidan and daughter Alexandra, also spoke at the event, along with District Leader Henry Butler and Assembly member Robert Carroll.

A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Graham first assumed judicial responsibilities in 2005 when he was elected as a New York City Civil Court judge. His judicial journey then led him to the Brooklyn Family Court in 2008, where he presided over domestic violence cases and trials of custody and visitation cases. In 2011, he was appointed as an acting Supreme Court Justice and was later elected to the Kings County Supreme Court in 2013.

Brooklyn Law School was the setting of Surrogate Graham’s installation on Wednesday, Jan. 10.

Graham’s tenure in the Kings County Supreme Court saw him handling various responsibilities, including presiding over the Commercial Foreclosure Part, the Mental Hygiene Part and the dedicated Medical Malpractice Part. His involvement in the community extends beyond his judicial duties, with active participation in local organizations and bar associations. Notably, he has been involved with the Boy Scout Troop 412 at St. Saviour’s Parish since 1972 and has served as legal counsel to several churches, youth organizations, and charities.

His legal career prior to joining the bench included practicing real estate development law and co-op and condominium law at Certilman Haft Lebow Balin Buckley & Kremer. Later, he became a partner at the law practice of Graham & Graham alongside his mother, Nancy Graham.

Graham’s election brings stability to the Brooklyn Surrogate Court bench, which previously faced controversy with the suspension of Hon. Harriet Thompson. He replaced Acting Surrogate’s Court Judge Hon. Carol Edmead, who retired at the end of last year, and following his election in November, he will serve a 14-year term.

The event saw a strong show of support from the legal community, including Brooklyn attorneys and members of various bar associations. Advocates for Graham’s election emphasized his fairness, compassion, and deep understanding of the law, qualities essential for a judge in the Surrogate’s Court.

“Judge Graham is one of the most serene, even-tempered jurists we have,” said Adam Kalish, president of the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association. “Nothing is too big of a moment for him and he rises to the occasion each time treating all of the members of the bar with an even handedness and genuine kindness no matter the case before him.”

The Surrogate’s Court, responsible for handling probate and estate administration matters, plays a critical role in ensuring the fair distribution of assets and overseeing the guardianship of minors.