Brooklyn court employees among eight honored at 13th Annual Mollen Awards

January 31, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Tamara Broadus, a court clerk specialist from the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, was presented with the Mollen Award by Chief Clerk Charles Small (left) and Administrative Judge Lawrence Knipel (center).
Photos: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle

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The Thirteenth Annual Milton Mollen Commitment to Excellence Awards, held at the Appellate Division, Second Department, on Jan. 24, honored outstanding court employees, including two prominent figures from Brooklyn, Tamara Broadus and Honsan Wong.

The event, a tribute to the late Hon. Milton Mollen, former presiding justice of the court, recognizes individuals who demonstrate exceptional dedication and service in the Second Department’s trial courts.

Tamara Broadus, a court clerk specialist at the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, was one of the distinguished honorees. With a 24-year career that began as a court officer and transitioned into a clerk role, Broadus has been a pillar in the Brooklyn court system. She was lauded for her ability to handle tense and time-sensitive situations with poise and efficiency.

“Part 72 is where orders to show cause and ex parte matters go, it is the tip of the spear,” said Hon. Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court. “When matters are time sensitive, they are all brought to Part 72. There is a lot of tension, people are on edge, and Tamara always is able to calm people and move the matters along.”

Honsan Wong, a senior management analyst in the IT Department at the Appellate Division, Second Department, also received honors. Praised for his professionalism, dedication and technical expertise, Wong has become a respected figure in the department.

David Lin, the senior technical manager at the Appellate Division explained, “His calm, professional, and patient demeanor not only ensures confidence in our users, but also assures our fellow team members that everything will be good when he is on the job.”

Other honorees included Tara Mucahy, a court officer in the Westchester County Supreme Court; Jeffrey Carpenter, the chief court attorney in the Nassau County Family Court; Ana Kestler, a court interpreter from the Suffolk County Supreme and County Courts; Vincent DeRosa, a court clerk specialist from the Queens Supreme Court, Criminal Term; Alberto Figueroa, a senior court clerk from the Staten Island Supreme Court, Criminal Term; and Phyllis Carusillo, a court analyst from the Grievance Committee for the 10th Judicial District, Appellate Division Ancillary Agency.

The ceremony was presided over by Presiding Justice Hector LaSalle, who emphasized the significance of the awards and the legacy of Hon. Milton Mollen.

“We are here to recognize the contributions and achievements of our co-workers and a special recognition to our esteemed former presiding justice, the Hon. Milton Mollen, whose example over the years have been inspiring,” said Presiding Justice LaSalle.

“All of our award recipients exemplify the can-do spirit that has enabled our courts and ancillary agencies to function better despite the many challenges,” Presiding Justice LaSalle continued. “They have gone the extra mile and served as inspiration to all who have had the pleasure of working with them.”

Justice Milton Mollen, a Brooklyn native and a revered figure in New York’s legal community, had a distinguished career. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and escaping from a German prisoner of war camp, he earned his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in 1950. Mollen’s career spanned various roles, including a judge of the New York City Criminal Court, a Justice of the State Supreme Court, and ultimately the Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department.

After his retirement, Mollen continued to impact the legal field through public service roles and as chairman for the Mollen Commission, a special commission formed to investigate corruption in the New York City Police Department.

The Mollen Awards, established in his honor in 2011, continue to celebrate the dedication and excellence of court employees, reflecting the values and commitment exemplified by Justice Mollen throughout his career.