St. John’s University School of Law Hosts Hearing on Judicial Diversity

The St. John’s University School of Law hosted a judicial diversity public hearing in the University’s Belson Moot Court Room on the Queens campus on January 18. The event, coordinated by Senator Malcolm A. Smith (D-Queens), was designed to gain ideas on ways to increase diversity in the State’s court system.

Several legal experts provided testimony at the hearing, co-chaired by Senators Dian Savino (D-Staten Island/Brooklyn) and Martin Malave Dilan (D-Brooklyn). The forum, titled: A Lasting Blueprint for Judicial Diversity, featured testimony from respected former judges, attorneys, law professors and students on the need to make the court system reflective of the diversity of the State.

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In her welcome remarks, Mary C. Daly, Dean of the St. John’s University School of Law, shared that the School initially dedicated itself to educating the children of individuals who had been denied access to economic and educational opportunities when it opened its doors in 1925. “That tradition of opening doors is as important today as it was in 1925,” Daly said. “That is why we are so proud to be hosting this event here at St. John’s.”

Professor Leonard M. Baynes, Director of The Ronald H. Brown Center for Civil Rights and Economic Development at St. John’s School of Law, testified at the hearing and shared several eye-opening statistics about the lack of diversity, as well as the decline in minority enrollment at law schools in New York State. He noted that a lack of minority law school graduates now will result in a limited pool for judges over the next decade.

Prof. Baynes' Testimony (PDF)

“We have to have lawyers and judiciaries that reflect diversity or else the integrity of our system becomes subject,” Professor Baynes said. “To be a judge, you need to be a lawyer and we need more lawyers of color in New York State.”

Professor Baynes shared with the panel several of St. John’s programs dedicated to guiding students with economic barriers including the Summer Prep Program and the Legal Outreach Summer Program, both sponsored by the Ronald H. Brown Center. 

Other experts testifying at the event included John D. Feerick, Sidney C. Norris Chair of Law in Public Service, Fordham University; The Honorable Sol Wachtler, former Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals; The Honorable Randall T. Eng, Queens County Supreme Court as well as several other justices and lawyers from throughout New York State.

For more information on the public legislative forum on judicial diversity contact: Chris La Barge at NYS Senator Malcolm A. Smith’s office by calling (518) 455-2973 or e-mail requests to labarge@senate.state.ny.us.