Tehilah Berman was officially sworn in as a Civil Court judge in a ceremony held at Brooklyn Law School on Tuesday, Dec. 3, in front of over 100 members of the judiciary and local legal community, who celebrated her career and accomplishments.

The evening began with the Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem, followed by an invocation from Rabbi Yeshayahu Greenfeld. Distinguished speakers included Justice Adam Silvera, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for New York City Courts; Justice Lawrence Knipel, Administrative Judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term; and Chief Clerk Charles Small.

Judge Berman’s siblings, Dr. Jessica Jacob and Jeremy Berman, Esq., also spoke, as did Sarana Purcell and Jennifer Faucher, Democratic district leaders. Her campaign manager, Musa Moore; Democratic County chair, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn; and past chair, Frank Seddio, described her journey to the bench. 

The oath of office was administered by Justice Katherine Levine, under whom Judge Berman has served as Principal Law Clerk.

Born and raised in Ditmas Park, Judge Berman began her education at Shulamith Elementary School and later attended Yeshiva University High School for Girls. At just 16 years old, she enrolled at New York University, graduating cum laude with honors in History at age 20. 

She earned her law degree from Brooklyn Law School, where she was a Richardson Scholar and received the Donald D. Greenstein Prize for the highest grade in Pension Law. She was admitted to the New York Bar at 23.

Judge Berman’s legal career began in ERISA litigation and labor and employment law. She worked with firms such as Pryor, Cashman, Sherman & Flynn, and Richards & O’Neil, handling complex employee benefits cases. Her passion for justice led her to criminal appeals, working with Alan Dershowitz on high-profile cases, including a murder and conspiracy appeal. She also independently drafted motions and appeals for indigent defendants.

In her most recent role, Judge Berman served as Principal Law Clerk to Justice Katherine Levine of the Kings County Supreme Court and, before that, in the Kings County Civil Court. Speakers explained that she is known for her meticulous legal research, judicial temperament, and commitment to impartiality as a law clerk.

Judge Berman is an active member of several bar associations, including the Brooklyn Bar Association, Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, and the Brooklyn Brandeis Society.