BWBA shares lunch with President-Elect Hon. Cenceria Edwards

January 30, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

With academic credentials from Bernard M. Baruch College and New York Law School, Justice Cenceria Edwards has amassed over two decades of experience in law, auditing and taxation since starting her career at Arthur Andersen in 1988. Her legal practice extends to New York State Courts, the Eastern District of New York and the U.S. Tax Court. Justice Edwards, who once contended for a seat in the 36th State Assembly District, actively contributes to the legal community through her roles in various bar associations and has extensively participated in panels addressing mortgage fraud, home ownership and estate planning.
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The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) recently hosted an enlightening “Lunch with a Judge” event featuring Hon. Cenceria Edwards, the esteemed president-elect for the 2024-2025 term.

“Justice Edwards is so dynamic and does so much which is why I’m excited for her to share all of the associations that she has been involved with,” said President Jovia Radix.

Edwards, who also boasts credentials as a certified public accountant (CPA), has a distinguished background in law and finance.

Her tenure includes serving as an acting justice in Kings County’s Criminal Court and authoring significant legal publications, including “NYS Procedural Procedures to Vacate a Judgment.” Her expertise extends to business and transactional matters, having worked with Fortune 500 companies.

Currently presiding over the Foreclosure Part since January 2022, Edwards brings a unique perspective to the judiciary, derived from her time in private practice focusing on real estate law and her substantial experience in taxation, particularly within the national and international banking sectors.

Edwards’ path to the bench was unconventional. She ventured into politics, running for the New York State Assembly in 2008 without prior political experience, ultimately garnering 25 percent of the vote in a strong political district. Despite not initially aspiring to be a judge, her extensive community work in foreclosure led civic organizations to encourage her judicial candidacy.

“For those looking to get into politics, before you do that, make sure you know the local politics of the county in which you choose to run,” Edwards said with a laugh. “People thought I was crazy, the politicians thought I lost my mind. A few people even approached me and told me to get out of the race. I thought it was my constitutional right to run and I wanted to represent my community. I thought I could win.”

Emphasizing the importance of community service, Edwards urges legal professionals to engage with their communities and associations like the BWBA to foster better environments and strengthen communal bonds. Her leadership roles, including chairing the National Bar Association’s Judicial Council, have allowed her to connect with legal professionals across the country and internationally.

Edwards’ judicial philosophy prioritizes settlement where possible to expedite resolutions and minimizing lengthy litigation, especially in foreclosure cases. She also encourages attorneys to consider the financial aspects of cases, advocating for pragmatic approaches to legal disputes.

A display of judiciary solidarity and support was evident as esteemed judges, including Hon. Lisa Ottley, Hon. Rosemarie Montalbano, Hon. Dweynie Paul, Hon. Cheryl Chambers, Hon. Babatunde Akowe, Hon. Lola Waterman, Hon. Pamela Patton-Fynes, Hon. Claudia Daniels-Depeyster, Hon. Patria Frias-Colon, Hon. Kesha Alleyne, and, of course, Hon. Genine Edwards, who chairs the “Lunch with a Judge” committee, were in attendance at the event, underscoring the collaborative spirit within the legal community.

“Your position should make dollars and cents and you should have sense as you’re looking at the case,” Justice Edwards said. “A lot of lawyers believe that they have the best case and are going to win and sometimes they become overzealous about arguing the case as opposed to looking at the real numbers. Look at the cost of the case. What does it cost you to prepare papers? Can your client really afford that cost?”

A successful business owner before joining the bench, Edwards attributes her success to professionalism, consistency, and establishing a solid referral network. She emphasizes the importance of being present, both physically and in communication with clients, to avoid potential case dismissals due to law office failures.

Mentorship plays a crucial role in Edwards’ career, with her family, colleagues, and even her daughters serving as sources of inspiration and guidance. She values the diverse insights mentorship offers, highlighting its importance in personal and professional growth.

Outside the courtroom, Edwards enjoys basketball, reading appellate decisions, history, and dancing to disco and gospel house music. She appreciates the music of Elton John.

The BWBA looks forward to Edwards’ presidency, anticipating her contributions to the association and the broader legal community in Brooklyn. The association’s next “Lunch with a Judge” event will be held on Feb. 15 with Appellate Division Justice Cheryl Chambers.