Ulster County Court Judge Democratic CandidateHeadline JUN 18, 2009: Schneer Appointed Ulster County Judge by Gov. Paterson
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REMARKS OF Hon. Deborah Schneer As some of you may have heard me say, for most of my career, I never thought I would be a judge. So it seems appropriate, especially since I did not plan to be here, to take a few minutes and reflect on what did bring me here today. And after thinking about this, I can say that in large part, I am here today because of my strong beliefs in justice and my deep commitment to the law. These will enable me to serve our community and I hope, make me a strong and fair County Court Judge My father is an attorney (and still practicing), my mother was a social worker who worked with troubled adolescents. As my brother and I grew up, notions of social justice, of fairness, equality, respect for all, were constants in our household. These ideas were incorporated into our every day discussions and lives. I still recall my mother going to the 1964 March on Washington, and my father’s stories about clients in trouble. As a result, when I was considering careers, I found no other choice but to choose a profession that would allow me to help others less able to help themselves. This belief in social justice is one I continue to hold fast. In-between college and law school I spent a year as a Vista Volunteer, in rural Missouri, My commitment to the law developed early on. As law school graduation approached, public interest jobs were becoming more difficult to find. The times had changed, President Reagan was in office and funding was limited. Nonetheless, I continued to seek a position helping those less able to help themselves. I recall how pleased I was when, while I was dressing for my law school graduation ceremony, I was offered a job at Prisoners Legal Services in, Poughkeepsie, which is how I found my home in the Hudson Valley. Some friends and family had doubts about my career choice, but it seemed the right route for me. One of the most important things I learned at the outset was that when your clients are unpopular, either because of who they are or what they have done it is critical that your work be of the highest standard and beyond reproach. Integrity as an attorney is key to being a successful advocate. I spent many long hours on my cases in order to reach this standard. I committed myself to being thorough, and dedicated -- to do the best job I possibly could in every case, to explore every meritorious argument, to exhaust every legal and factual avenue available to my clients. This required commitment to the work and dedication to the law and many, many long hours. I have carried my commitment to justice, and my dedication to the law, throughout my career, whether in the public or private sector. This commitment, and these values, fully informed my private practice and my service as a Town Justice, no matter how big or small the case. As Town Justice I learned the importance of keeping an open mind, of deeply listening to the contentions of all sides, of insuring a full and fair hearing to everyone involved, of giving real consideration to every argument as well as being conversant in the law. I learned how critical being thoughtful and thorough is to being a good judge. The values I brought to the position of Town Justice, my deep belief in justice, and the dedication to the law I learned as a young attorney, allowed me to make the transition from attorney advocate to the very different role of impartial jurist. And it is these same qualities which I will to bring to my service as County Court Judge. Ulster County has been blessed with many distinguished County Court Judges. The pictures on the wall in the County Courtroom reflect this rich history of both our judges and our community. As our community grows, so does our judiciary. As the first woman to hold the position of Ulster County Court Judge, I stand today in the shadows of many others who have gone before me. We are a community where history has been made, where important milestones have been reached. There have been many firsts here, some right here in this courthouse, some in our lifetimes. We sit today in the place where Sojourner Truth fought and won the freedom of her son. Present today, are Judge Mary Work, the first woman Surrogate Judge in Ulster County, and Judge Karen Peters, who was the first woman to become Family Court, Supreme Court and Justice of the Appellate Division from Ulster County. These milestones, including this step I take today, as the first female County Court Judge, are of great significance, to me individually of course, but more importantly, to all of us as a community. Achieving these breakthroughs means, that we are ready and willing to find that anyone, from any part of our community, is equally capable of public service, as judge or in any other capacity, regardless of personal characteristics. Further, reaching these milestones means that together we have embraced and implemented our core values of equality and fairness into our own community, values which unite us here in Ulster County and throughout our nation. As Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor said: “We don’t accomplish anything in this world alone.. and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life, and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” For most of my career, I never thought I would be a judge. But here we are today, in this place, in this moment, taking this step together. The things that brought me here, my dedication, my belief in justice and my commitment to the law will be my most trusted tools, tools I will use every day, in every case as County Court Judge. In this way, I will EDUCATION NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW TUFTS UNIVERSITY JUDICIAL EXPERIENCE TOWN JUSTICE LEGAL EXPERIENCE LAW OFFICES OF DEBORAH SCHNEER, ESQ. NEIGHBORHOOD DEFENDER SERVICE OF HARLEM. PRISONERS’ LEGAL SERVICES OF NEW YORK NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LAW – CHARITIES BUREAU RELATED EXPERIENCE ATTORNEY-CLIENT FEE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM NYS BAR ASSOCIATION ULSTER COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE LEGAL SERVICES OF EASTERN MISSOURI PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS BAR ADMISSIONS Contact Judge Deborah Schneer:
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