Justice Lawrence Knipel steps down as Brooklyn’s Administrative Judge to ovation

December 6, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Justice Lawrence Knipel is stepping down after 12 years as administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term. A respected innovator in the judiciary, Knipel has overseen one of New York’s busiest courts and will now preside over a dedicated commercial litigation part. Brooklyn Eagle photo by Mario Belluomo

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Justice Lawrence Knipel, a cornerstone of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, for more than a decade, has announced he will step down from his administrative role to preside over a dedicated commercial litigation part full-time.

The news, confirmed in an interview with the New York Law Journal, had been circulating among attendees at the Brooklyn Bar Association’s annual dinner, where Knipel received a standing ovation for his years of service.

Knipel, 72, has served as administrative judge for 12 years, overseeing one of New York’s busiest civil courts. His tenure has been marked by innovation and efficiency, including the creation of specialized parts for discovery, labor law, guardianship, and foreclosure proceedings.

“I did this job, I loved this job,” Knipel told the Law Journal. “But there’s a time to do something and a time to leave.”

The transition comes after Knipel’s annual meeting with Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas, where he was asked about continuing in his role. Knipel said that the decision to step aside was his own.

“It has come time for me to step aside and pave the way for a new generation of leadership,” he explained.

Knipel’s impact on the Brooklyn judiciary is far-reaching. Under his leadership, the Kings County Supreme Court achieved the highest number of case dispositions, motions decided, and jury trials statewide. He also introduced weekly status conferences to manage inactive cases and was considering further innovations before his announcement.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Knipel graduated from SUNY Cortland and earned his J.D. from the University of Seattle before completing an LL.M. in Taxation at NYU. He began his judicial career in 1991 and served in both civil and criminal courts before becoming administrative judge in 2013. He resides in Flatbush with his wife, Lori Citron Knipel, and their two children.

Knipel has received numerous honors throughout his career, including awards from the Brooklyn Bar Association, Jewish Lawyers Guild and Catholic Lawyers Guild. A frequent lecturer on medical malpractice and trial practice, he is also an ASTAR Science and Technology Fellow and an accomplished runner.

As Knipel prepares to transition to his new role, he expressed optimism about the court’s future. “Change is inevitable. I had a great run,” he said, adding, “That’s the spice of life.”

The Brooklyn legal community, represented at the annual dinner, celebrated Knipel’s legacy and contributions to the judiciary with resounding applause.