Justice Saul Stein celebrated at induction ceremony for the Kings County Supreme Court

April 5, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Hon. Saul Stein addresses the audience after he was officially sworn in as a Kings County Supreme Court justice during a ceremony at Cardozo School of Law on Monday, April 1. Brooklyn Eagle photos by John McCarten

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In an event that fused legal solemnity with light-hearted camaraderie, Justice Saul Stein was formally inducted as a justice of the Kings County Supreme Court on Monday, April 1. Hosted at the Benjamin Cardozo School of Law’s Moot Court Room, the ceremony attracted a distinguished assembly of judges, legal professionals, and community leaders to celebrate this significant appointment.

Jacob Zelmanovitz, the principal law clerk to Hon. Saul Stein, played a significant role in welcoming guests to the ceremony. Councilmember Kalman Yeger, representing the 44th District, led the proceedings with notable wit as the master of ceremonies. His introductions set the stage for an evening that balanced the gravitas of the judicial role with personal anecdotes and jests aimed at Justice Stein and the speakers themselves.

The event commenced with a procession of judges, followed by the presentation of colors by the ceremonial unit of the New York State Court Officers Association. Nosson Abrams, a Cardozo School of Law alumnus, delivered a stirring rendition of the National Anthem, and Rabbi Moshe David Niederman offered the invocation, grounding the ceremony in a sense of community and tradition.

The lineup of speakers was as diverse as it was illustrious. Hon. Frank Seddio, chairman emeritus of the Kings County Democratic Party, underscored the critical role of judicial talent in upholding the integrity of the bench. Doug Schneider, a district leader and fellow Cardozo alumnus, reminisced about his law school days with Stein, offering insights into the early foundations of Stein’s legal career and his enduring qualities as a friend and colleague.

Dean Judith Jamieson, a retiree from Providence College, and Hon. Edwina Richardson, deputy chief administrative judge for Justice Initiatives, each highlighted different aspects of Stein’s collegiate and professional journey. David Greenfield, CEO of the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty, and Hon. David Cohen, a justice of the New York State Supreme Court from New York County and a Cardozo alumnus, spoke to Stein’s deep commitment to justice and his impact on the communities he has served.

The oath of office was a family affair, with Stein’s family — wife Leeba, Chesky, Raizy, Rafi, Mattis and JJ, as well as his father David — presenting the judicial robes in a poignant symbol of his personal and professional worlds uniting.

Hon. Saul Stein is sworn in as a Kings County Supreme Court Justice by Hon. David Cohen.

Judge Saul Stein with Father David, Wife Leeba and Children Shawn, JJ, Mattis, Rafael and Raizy.

Hon. Adam Perlmutter (left) and Hon. Rina Malik (right)

From left: Steve Brounstein, Hon. Anne Swern, Hon. Rosemary Montalbano, Hon. Lillian Wan and Craig Montalbano.

Professor Michael Herz (left) and Joseph Wahba.

Jacob Zelmanovitz, principal law clerk to Hon. Saul Stein, who gave welcoming remarks.

Former Kings County Democratic Party Chair and Retired Surrogate Court Justice, Hon. Frank Seddio.

Hon. Edwina Richardson, deputy chief administrative judge for Justice Initiatives, who worked alongside then-law clerk Saul Stein in the Brooklyn Family Court.

City Councilmember Kalman Yeger (left) and David Greenfield (right) present Hon. Saul Stein with a proclamation.

Hon. David Cohen speaks about Justice Stein before performing the installation ceremony.

Hon. Saul Stein gets a standing ovation from the crowd that included District Leader Jennifer Faucher (center) and District Leader Mariya Markh (right).

In his closing remarks, Justice Stein expressed his gratitude to all attendees and speakers, reflecting on the ideals of justice as depicted in the Torah and by Maimonides. He spoke of the qualities essential to a judge — wisdom, fairness, and integrity — and his commitment to embodying these principles in his new role.

Born in Montreal, Justice Stein has deep roots in Brooklyn, New York, the birthplace of his mother, which he considers his true home. He embarked on his educational journey at Providence College, earning a B.S. in business science, followed by an M.S. in taxation from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business. His passion for law led him to the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, where he graduated with a juris doctorate.

Justice Stein’s early career was marked by his tenure as a corporate associate at Wolf and Samson P.C in West Orange, New Jersey, before moving on to Clifford Chance U.S. LLP, where he continued his practice. In 2009, he transitioned to the public sector, serving as principal court attorney for Justice Cohen in the Manhattan Supreme Court. In 2020, he was elected Judge of the Civil Court, Kings County.

Justice Stein has been an active and vocal advocate for the Jewish community and his local neighborhood in Midwood, where he resides with his wife and their five children. He is a former member of Brooklyn Community Board 14 and the social director of his synagogue, Khal Bnei Avrohom Yaakow. His advisory role to the Flatbush Community Fund and his volunteer work with the Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty show his commitment to serving those in need.