Brooklyn Women’s Bar hosts Hon. Adam Silvera for monthly lunch event

November 8, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Hon. Adam Silvera, deputy chief administrative judge for the NYC Courts, shares insights during the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association’s “Lunch with a Judge” event. Screenshots via Zoom

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The Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association (BWBA) welcomed Hon. Adam Silvera, deputy chief administrative judge for the New York City Courts, as the featured speaker at its monthly “Lunch with a Judge” event on Thursday.

Hosted by BWBA President Hon. Cenceria Edwards and committee chair Hon. Genine Edwards, the gathering offered attendees a chance to hear Judge Silvera’s reflections on his legal journey, judicial responsibilities, and personal insights.

Judge Silvera shared anecdotes from his upbringing in Alphabet City, shaped by his parents’ immigrant experience. His father, a waiter from Israel who met Silvera’s mother on a cruise ship, taught him the value of resilience and adaptability. Despite initially being unsure about pursuing law, Silvera graduated from Brooklyn Law School and later discovered his passion for public service.

“I didn’t know that I wanted to be a lawyer, and I definitely didn’t know I wanted to be a judge,” Silvera told attendees, recounting how a fortuitous job interview led him to a career in law.

Since his appointment as deputy chief administrative judge earlier this year, Silvera has overseen operations in all five boroughs, managing everything from judicial appointments to technological upgrades in courtrooms. He spoke about the judiciary’s ongoing efforts to modernize court operations, including enhanced cybersecurity measures and remote trial capabilities.

BWBA President Hon. Cenceria Edwards, committee chair Hon. Genine Edwards, and members engage with Judge Silvera in a lively discussion on judicial operations and court modernization.

“We have a robust plan for 2025 to modernize all boroughs,” Justice Silvera explained, noting the importance of improving courtroom acoustics and technology to facilitate remote proceedings.

Silvera also explained the importance of his experience working in the family court, describing it as one of the most rewarding aspects of his career. “It’s an important mission,” he said. “We’re putting a lot of resources toward family court to resolve cases and help families.”

Judge Silvera’s legal career spans two decades. He began as a district leader before being elected to the New York City Civil Court in 2014, where he served as a Family Court judge in Brooklyn. In 2017, he was appointed Acting Supreme Court Justice, handling complex matrimonial and Family Court matters.

In 2018, Silvera was elected to the Supreme Court-Civil Term in Manhattan, where he presided over motor vehicle and asbestos litigation. He was later elevated to the Appellate Term, First Department, hearing appeals from lower courts. In 2022, he became administrative judge of New York County Supreme Court’s Civil Term.

Silvera has also been an active educator, presenting on legal topics such as child custody, toxic torts, and settlement techniques for various bar associations.

During the BWBA event, Silvera offered practical advice to practitioners navigating today’s post-pandemic court system. “Go with the flow,” he urged. “Cases move better in person, but we’re making strides with the tools COVID introduced.”

Throughout his remarks, Silvera maintained his signature humor, joking about balancing his busy schedule with personal interests. A self-described “kid from the ’80s,” he recounted attending back-to-back concerts at Madison Square Garden featuring Cyndi Lauper and Duran Duran.

The BWBA’s next event, a CLE titled “Accounting 101,” will be held in person at 60 Centre Street on Nov. 14.