Derefim Neckles

Buket Urgen

Black Women judges set their sights on Brooklyn's Supreme Court

Grenadian court attorney referee wants to be civil court judge ...

Derefim Neckles is from Grenada. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Brooklyn College and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law. She lives in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Derefim is a court attorney referee at the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, where she has worked since 2012. She spent the first four years of her legal career in private practice, handling civil rights, employment discrimination, landlord-tenant, and contract matters. She then spent 11 years in the Kings County Court system, starting as a court attorney in the civil and criminal courts. She later served as a confidential principal law secretary and legal adviser to a Kings County Supreme Court justice and the administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term.

D. Bernadette Neckles - Ballotpedia

NYC Civil Court Judge: Kings Municipal Court District 6 • Civic Juice

Derefim B. Neckles is currently a judge of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County. She assumed office on January 1, 2020, and her current term ends on December 31, 2029. She previously ran for a seat on the New York City Civil Court in Kings County District 6 in 2017 but did not win.

Has volunteered as an arbitrator in the Small Claims Part of Kings County Civil Court for 14 years.

Legal Experience

Believes diversity on the bench leads to a broader understanding of the issues that affect different communities.

Judicial Philosophy

Wants to create an environment where "all parties feel heard and respected," ensure the court is accessible, and implement programs that educate the community about the legal process.

Judicial Administration

Volunteers as an arbitrator in the Small Claims Part of Kings County Civil Court.

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteers with the Summer Youth Employment Program, National Read Across America Event, and Women in Prison Project.

Community Involvement

Betsy Barros

Distinguished Classmates of Cornell 1979 honored at the 25th ...

Betsy Barros - Ballotpedia

Betsy Barros is from Brooklyn, New York. She has a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a Juris Doctor degree from New York University School of Law. She lives with her husband, Ron, in Brooklyn.

Betsy is currently an Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Judicial Department of the New York Supreme Court. She was appointed to this position in 2014. Betsy is also a judge of the New York Supreme Court, 2nd Judicial District. She was first elected to this position in 1998 and re-elected in 2011. Betsy began her judicial career in 1996 when she was elected to the New York City Civil Court. She served on the Civil Court until 1998, when she joined the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term. Betsy is running in a special election for judge of the New York Supreme Court, 2nd Judicial District, in 2025. She previously served as a judge on the New York County Criminal Court from 1995 to 1996. Betsy is the first Latina woman to serve on the Kings County Supreme Court and the Appellate Division.

As a judge, diverted addicted youth and adult offenders facing long-term prison sentences into alternative incarceration programs.

As of September 15, 2025, Betsy Barros did not have a website or any information online.

As a special state prosecutor, prosecuted corruption in the criminal justice system.

Member of the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Puerto Rican Bar Association, the New York State Guardianship Advisory Committee, the Association of Judges of Hispanic Heritage, the New York State Women’s Bar Association, the King’s County Supreme Court’s Gender Fairness Committee, and the Cervantes Society.

Brian L. Goetlieb

NYC Legal Spotlight: Judge Brian L. Gotlieb, A Steadfast Presence ...

Brian Gotlieb is from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in Brooklyn, New York. He has a bachelor's degree from New York University, a master's degree from the University of Florida, and a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School. He lives in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

Star of Brooklyn: Brian L. Gotlieb - The Brooklyn Home Reporter

Brian is an attorney at Frekhtman and Associates. He previously worked as an associate attorney at various law firms, where he represented clients injured in accidents caused by negligence. He also served as the Principal Court Attorney to Justice Joy F. Campanelli in Richmond County Civil Court and later as Justice Campanelli's Principal Law Clerk in Kings County Supreme Court.

Judge Brian L. Gotlieb - Performance Metrics, Career Overview, and ...

Brian is currently a judge in the Kings County Civil Court. He was elected to the bench in 2022 and began serving in 2023. Before his election as a judge, Brian served on Community School Board 21 from 1999 to 2001 and on Community Board 13 from 1999 to 2022, including as Chairman from 2002 to 2006. He ran for New York City Council in 2001 but did not win.

Currently serves as a judge in the New York State Supreme Court.

Believes in preparation, fairness, consistency, and respect in the courtroom.

Supports educating youth about the legal system.

As of September 15, 2025, Brian L. Goetlieb did not have a website or any information online.

Founded Shorefront Toys for Tots, overseeing gift distribution to 50,000 children and sponsoring child safety, back to school, and reading programs in Brooklyn.

As a member of the Community School Board, focused on child safety and improving learning environments by securing grants, advocating for safety officers, and initiating reading programs.

As Chairman of Community Board 13, created Economic Development and Affordable Housing Committees, advocated for beach safety, and earned a reputation for fairness.

As Chairman of the Board’s Education, Library and Youth Services Committee, addressed post-Sandy renovations, job training, charter school policies, school funding, and the future of local schools.

Carl J. Landicio

Claudia Daniels-DePeyster

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Guyanese-American jurist Claudia Daniels-DePeyster runs for NYS ...

Claudia is from Brooklyn, New York. She has a bachelor of arts in political science from the University at Buffalo and a juris doctor degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.

Claudia is a judge of the New York City Criminal Court. She was appointed to the court in April 2015. Before her appointment, she was a solo practitioner, focusing on real estate, housing, landlord-tenant matters, criminal defense, surrogate law, and guardianships. She also worked as an attorney in the Bureau of Investigations and Trials at the New York City Fire Department and served as an assistant deputy commissioner of trials at the New York City Police Department for 11 years.

Claudia Daniels-DePeyster - Ballotpedia

Criminal Court Judges

Claudia is currently a judge of the New York City Criminal Court in New York County. She was appointed to the Criminal Court in April 2015 and is currently serving her second term. In April 2022, she was appointed as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in Kings County Supreme Court-Criminal Term. Claudia is running in a special election for judge of the New York Supreme Court 2nd Judicial District on November 4, 2025.

Believes her diverse legal career, from private practice to criminal defense, has given her crucial insights into the law.

Believes her diverse legal background, from real estate to criminal defense, has given her crucial insights into the law.

As of September 15, 2025, Claudia Daniels-DePeyster did not have a website or any information online.

Provides youth with tours of her courthouse, educating them on the court system and what the courts do, knowledge of the law, career advice and encouragement for the future.

Jacqueline Williams

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Judge Jacqueline D. Williams earned her bachelor’s degree in history from Yale University, her Juris Doctor from the UC Berkeley School of Law, and her master’s in hospitality management from Cornell University. She serves as an acting Supreme Court justice and Family Court judge in Kings County.

Jacqueline D. Williams - Ballotpedia

Jacqueline is currently a judge of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County. She has served in this position since 2007, following her election. Williams won re-election in the general election on November 8, 2016. She also serves as an acting Supreme Court justice and Family Court judge in Kings County.

Earned a B.A. from Yale University and a J.D. from the University of California at Berkeley.

As of September 15, 2025, Jacqueline Williams did not have a website or any information online.

Serves as an ambassador for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Served as a board member on the district's Commission on Reentry and Returning Citizens Affairs.

Serves as an ambassador for the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture.

Jill R. Epstein

LinkedIn

Jill Epstein - Ballotpedia

Judge Jill R. Epstein - Performance Metrics, Career Overview, and ...

Jill is currently a judge for the Brooklyn 4th Municipal Court District of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County. She was first elected in 2018 and assumed office in 2019. Her current term ends on December 31, 2028. 

As of September 15, 2025, Jill R. Epstein did not have a website or any information online.

Maria Aragona

Who Are Those Judges You'll See on the New York Primary Ballot ...

Maria Aragona Honored with Employee of the Year – The Greenline

Maria is a judge at the New York City Civil Court, where she has served since 2021. She previously worked in private practice, representing clients in family law, criminal defense, and civil litigation. After joining the court, she served as an assistant law clerk to Justice Sherman and was later promoted to principal law clerk.

Maria Aragona - Ballotpedia

Maria is currently a judge for Brooklyn's 3rd Municipal Court District of the New York City Civil Court. She was elected in 2020 and assumed office on January 1, 2021. Her current term ends on January 1, 2031. Maria is running in a special election for judge of the New York Supreme Court 2nd Judicial District. She is on the ballot in the special general election on November 4, 2025.

Currently serves as a judge for Brooklyn's 3rd Municipal Court District.

As of September 15, 2025, Maria Aragona did not have a website or any information online.

Worked to provide legal assistance to those in need.

Norma Jennings

Norma Jennings - Ballotpedia

Housing Court Judge Norma Jennings launches campaign for civil ...

Norma Jennings sworn in as New York State's first Black LGBTQ+ ...

Norma is currently a judge for the Kings County 6th Municipal Court District of the New York City Civil Court. She was elected in 2024 and assumed office on January 1, 2025. Her current term ends on January 1, 2035. Jennings previously served as a housing court judge and most recently as a supervising judge in New York County. She ran for the district seat twice in the past before finally winning the vote in 2024.

Plans to use her years of experience on the court to handle civil court responsibilities.

Said, "Absolute impartiality and acute discretion are fundamental standards I hold dear, and I will apply them each and every day to ensure first and foremost that Justice is obtainable to all who seek it in my courtroom."

As of September 15, 2025, Norma Jennings did not have a website or any information online.

- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 