Hon. Hemalee Patel inducted as NY Civil Court judge
‘I have thought long and hard about the judge I want to be’
Hon. Hemalee Patel alongside Hon. Matthew D’Emic. Brooklyn Eagle photos by Mario Belluomo
DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN — Brooklyn continues its reputation of being one of the most diverse boroughs in New York City when it comes to legal minds, with the official induction of Hemalee Patel, the second South Asian person installed as a judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York.
Jan. 27, at Brooklyn Law School, before hundreds of spectators, Patel, who brings with her decades of legal experience, told the crowd that she has always tried her best to be fair and courteous to the people she serves.
“The quality of our lives is directly and deeply influenced by the people who serve the public,” Patel said, adding that as she begins this new chapter in her professional life, “I have thought long and hard about the judge I want to be.”
Patel spoke of “personal guideposts” she will use to navigate her new journey, which include patience, empathy, honesty and humility.
‘A win for everyone’
Frank Seddio, retired Surrogate’s Court judge, Democratic commissioner of the Kings County Board of Elections and past chair of the Kings County Democratic Party, called Patel one of the most serious people he has ever met in government.
“Hemalee has done a great job in every position she’s held, and I have no doubt in my mind that she will excel in this position as well,” Seddio said.
Assemblymember and Democratic Party Chair Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn thanked Patel for being a personal inspiration and called her election to Civil Court “a win for everyone.”
“She has immense compassion and commitment and also understands [Brooklyn’s] diverse community,” Bichotte-Hermelyn said.
Councilmember Justin Brannan (D-Southwest Brooklyn), who was also there, referred to Patel as one of his most important constituents.
“The strength of Hemalee’s character, professionalism, and, above all, integrity is second to none,” Brannan said, adding that the people of Kings County will be in better, fairer and more capable hands with Patel on the bench.
Hon. Jeffrey Sunshine, statewide coordinating judge for matrimonial matters, praised Patel for her “wealth of knowledge, experience and common sense.”
“She has a command of the law and really understands people,” Sunshine said.
Beginnings
Patel was born in the North Western region of India but was raised in New York, moving to Woodside, Queens, when she was 5 years old and ultimately to Manhattan’s Upper East Side some years later.
She is a graduate of New York University and Brooklyn Law School and a member of numerous bar associations, including the South Asian Bar Association of New York, Bay Ridge Lawyers and Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, of which she is a former president.
She was previously the general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining the board, Patel was a court attorney-referee for civil and matrimonial matters for the Supreme Court of Richmond County. From 2001 to 2011, she served as a principal law clerk to two matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She later started her career as a private practitioner specializing in matrimonial and family law.
Patel currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Unmesh Kher, and their children.
Leave a Comment
Related Articles
Con Edison will pay $750,000 to settle suit alleging harassment of female field workers
Mexican drug lord charged with killing DEA agent could face death penalty
Supreme Court upholds Biden rule requiring serial numbers and background checks for ghost guns
Leave a Comment
