D
| Author | Elizabeth Smith/Mark Thompson |
| Pages | 304-350 |
DABIRI, GLORIA M.
Justice, Second Judicial District Supreme
Court, Kings County
Appointment/Election: Elected in
January 1995. Reelected in 2009; current
term expires 2022.
Previous Experience: Judge, Family
Court of the City of New York, 1994-1995;
Judge, Family Court of the City of New York,
1990-1994; Principal Law Clerk to Hon.
George Bundy Smith, Appellate Division,
First Department, 1988-1990; General
Counsel, New York State Liquor Authority,
1983-1988; Assistant District Attorney,
Westchester County, 1977-1983; Staff
Attorney, Legal Aid Society, 1976-1977.
Honors and Memberships: Trustee, The
Children’s Aid Society; Fellow, New York
State Bar Foundation; Chair, Gender
Fairness Committee, Supreme Court, Kings
County; Co-Founder, Youth Empowerment
for Success (Y.E.S.) Mentoring Program.
Admission: NYS, Appellate Division,
Second Department, 1977; U.S. Supreme
Court, 1982; U.S. District Court, Southern,
1979; U.S. District Court, Eastern, 1979.
Teaching/Lectures/Publications:
Assistant Professor, New York City Technical
College, 1991-1993; Lecturer, Baruch College,
1989-1990. Publications: “Prenatal Drug
Exposure: The Constitutional Implications of
Three Governmental Approaches,” 2 Seton
Hall Constitutional Law Journal 53, 1991;
“The Judicial Role in the Treatment of
Juvenile Delinquents,” 3 Brooklyn Law School
Journal of Law and Policy 347, 1995; “Women
Firsts and at the Forefront,” Black History
Month Newsletter, Supreme Court. Kings
County Vol. 1 No. 1, 1997; “George Bundy
Smith: Reflections on the Man and His Work,”
70 New York State Bar Journal 16, 1998;
“Recalling the Alliance for Social Justice,” The
Jewish Herald, at 15 col 3, January 12, 2007.
Education: Fellow, Columbia University
(Charles Revson Fellow, 1999); J.D.,
Syracuse University School of Law (1976);
B.A., Marymount College, Tarrytown (1973).
Address: 360 Adams Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 296-1563 (chambers)
Law Clerk: Yvonne Marin
DADD, MARK H.
Judge, County, Family, and Surrogate’s
Courts, Wyoming County
Appointment/Election: Appointed to
Courts in 1984; current term expires in 2013.
Previous Experience: District Attorney,
Wyoming County, 1973-1983; Partner, Dadd
& Dadd, 1974-1983; Attorney, Reinhart,
Boenner, Van Doren & Norris, Milwaukee,
WI, 1972-1973; General Practice Attorney,
Shearman & Sterling, 1968-1969.
Education: J.D., Cornell School of Law
(1968); B.A., Fordham University (1965).
Address: 147 North Main Street
Warsaw, NY 14569
Phone: (585) 786-3148
ATTORNEYS’COMMENTS
TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR
Interviewees seemed to like Judge
Dadd’s courtroom temperament. Two of
them described it as “very professional.”
Others opined, “[His demeanor is] good,”
“He’s professional and businesslike” and
“He’s rather serious.”
ONTHEBENCH
Interviewees gave Judge Dadd’s legal
knowledge high marks. Nearly all of them
either said, “It’s excellent” or “It’s above
average.” One final lawyer said, “It’s good.”
A majority of the litigators said Judge
Dadd’s courtroom management style is “for-
mal.” Other comments included: “It’s very
efficient,” “It’s somewhat formal” and “It’s
formal and efficient.” Nearly every lawyer
said Judge Dadd moves matters at an
“appropriate” pace. One of them added, “He
moves things pretty well.” One final attor-
ney opined, “Judge Dadd moves cases at an
average pace.” Every member of the bar
said this jurist is courteous to all who
appear in his courtroom. Almost all of the
interviewees said Judge Dadd usually takes
the bench on time. In fact, one of the them
said, “He’s very prompt.” One final attorney
disagreed with the majority and said this
jurist does not always start on time.
ONTRIAL
Every interviewee said Judge Dadd listens
closely to their arguments and keeps an open
mind. One of the attorneys was even more spe-
286 Dabiri New York Judge Reviews
cific and opined, “Judge Dadd tends to reserve
decision until after your argument and after he
has the chance to review the file for a second
time.” A majority of the interviewees said Judge
Dadd’s courtroom atmosphere is usually “com-
fortable.” Other comments included: “It’s very
pleasant,” “It’s very professional and busi-
nesslike” and “It’s pleasant. When handling
criminal cases, every lawyer interviewed said
Judge Dadd handles his sentencing duties in a
“fair” manner. As one of them put it, “He
makes sure sentences are appropriate.”
SETTLEMENTS
Half of the interviewees said Judge Dadd
usually stays “reserved” and does not try to
help settle cases. The other half said, “He’s
proactive.” The latter ranked his negotiating
skills as “strong” and “good.”
ADJOURNMENTS/CONTINUANCES
Interviewees said Judge Dadd will usual-
ly grant adjournments when it is appropri-
ate. Their specific comments included:
“You’ve got an average chance” of getting
him to grant one, “It’s not a problem” to
obtain one if you have shown good cause
and “Judge Dadd is reasonable about
granting adjournments.”
PROCLIVITIES
Every interviewee praised Judge Dadd’s
neutrality. Comments included: “He’s very
fair,” “He’s impartial” and “He’s fair.”
SUGGESTIONS/SUMMARY
Interviewees praised Judge Dadd for his
strong legal knowledge and willingness to
listen closely to their arguments while
keeping an open mind. Attorneys also said
this jurist maintains a “comfortable” court-
room atmosphere.
DALEY, MICHAEL E.
Justice, Fifth Judicial District Supreme
Court, Herkimer County
Appointment/Election: Elected in 2002.
Previous Experience: Herkimer County
District Attorney, Herkimer, NY, 1993-2001;
Oneida County Assistant District Attorney,
Utica, NY, 1983-1992; New York State Attorney
General, Syracuse, NY, 1981-1983; Oneida
County District Attorney’s Office, Utica, NY,
1978-1981.
Honors and Memberships: Member:
Herkimer County Bar Association, Little
Falls, NY, 1989—; Oneida County Bar
Association, Utica, NY, 1978—; New York
State Bar Association, Albany, NY, 1978—.
Admission: Admitted to New York State
Bar, fourth department, February 1978.
Education: J.J.D., Syracuse University
College of Law, Syracuse, NY (1977); B.A.,
University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT (1974).
Biographical Data: Born February 1952 in
Bangor, ME. Married; four children. Hobbies
include: hunting, fishing, farming and reading.
Address: Herkimer County Office and
Courts Facility
301 North Washington Street
5th Floor
Herkimer, NY 13350
Phone: (315) 867-1185
Fax: (315) 867-1531
E-Mail: mdaley@courts.state.ny.us
Law Clerk: Mark McLane
Secretary: Sandra J. Zalatan
Court Officer: Jean Aney
DANIELS, GEORGE BENJAMIN
Justice, U.S. District Court, Southern
District of New York
Appointment/Election: Elected in
January 1996; appointed to Southern
District of New York on February 24, 2000.
Previous Experience: Judge, New York
Criminal Court, New York County; Judge,
First Judicial District Supreme Court, New
York City; counsel to Mayor David N. Dinkins
of the City of New York, 1990-1993; federal
prosecutor, office of the United States
Attorney for the Eastern District of New York,
1983-1989; litigation associate, Skadden,
Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, New York,
1981-1983; clerk for Chief Justice Rose E.
Bird of the California Supreme Court, 1980;
criminal defense attorney, Legal Aid Society
of New York, 1978.
Admission: Admitted to New York State
Bar, California State Bar, New Jersey State
Bar, and District of Columbia Bar.
Profiles Daniels 287
Teaching/Lectures/Publications:
Adjunct professor, Brooklyn Law School; Trial
advocacy instructor, Hofstra Law School,
Benjamin N. Cardoza School of Law, and the
National Institute for Trial Advocacy. Co-
author of New York Criminal Law, Greenberg,
Marcus, et al., West Publishing Co., 1996.
Education: J.D., University of California,
Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law (1978); B.A.,
Yale University (1975, American Studies).
Biographical Data: Born May 1953.
Recent Noteworthy Decisions: People v.
Marinconz, 178 Misc.2d 30, 679 NYS2d 244
[Sup. Ct. 1998] (Sexual Offender Registration
NYS.2d 881 [Sup. Ct. 1997] (Sexual Offender
Registration Act); People v. Medjdoubi, 173
Misc.2d 259, 661 NYS.2d 502 [Sup. Ct. 1997]
(Valuation of stolen property); People v.
Jackson, 172 Misc2d 587, 659 NYS.2d 706
[Sup. Ct. 1997] (Vacatur of judgment of convic-
tion); People v. Han, 166 Misc.2d 246, 632
NYS.2d 748 [Crim. Ct. 1995] (Right to a speedy
trial as to a desk appearance ticket); ITT -
Hartford Ins. Co. v. Cronin, NYLJ, July 7, 1997,
at 26, col. 6 [Sup.Ct.] (Settlement offers);
People v. Kane, NYLJ, August 1, 1996, at 24,
col. 5 [Sup. Ct.] (Search and Seizure). Court-TV
Nationally Broadcasted Trial, People v. Senko,
Feb. 22—March 7, 1996 (Correction Officer
who staged an on-the-job accident to collect
two years of sick pay).
Address: Daniel Patrick Moynihan
United States Courthouse
500 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10007-1312
Phone: (212) 805-6735
Secretary: Elizabeth Vega, (212) 805-6741
DANOFF, SUSAN S.
Judge, Family Court, Second Judicial
District, Kings County
Appointment/Election: Judge, Family
Court of the City of New York, Kings County,
Appointed to Family court by Mayor Michael
R. Bloomberg, 2004-2011; re-appointed in
2011; current term expires in 2021.
Previous Experience: Interim Judge,
Civil Court of the City of New York, 2004;
Court Attorney Referee, NYS Unified Court
System, 2000-2004; Court Attorney, NYS
Unified Court System, 1990-2000.
Honors and Memberships: Member:
Family Court & Family Law Committee,
Association of the Bar of the City of New York,
2004-present; Association of the Bar of the
City of New York, 1990-present; New York
County Lawyers’ Association, 1990-present.
Admission: NYS, Appellate Division, First
Department, 1990.
Education: J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo
School of Law (1987); B.A., Fordham
University (1984).
Address: Kings County Family Court
330 Jay Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: (347) 401-9870
ATTORNEYS’ COMMENTS
TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR
Judge Danoff “is a very nice person. She
has very good demeanor,” one of the attor-
neys interviewed about her said. Another
said, “I enjoyed appearing before her. She is
very patient. She is very polite to the liti-
gants.” A third interviewee said, “She’s
respectful to counsel, from what I’ve seen.
She has a sense of humor, which is good.
She displayed that in a case I had recently. It
was a difficult case. My client was not
focused on what the judge was telling him
and she redirected him, but in a humorous
way, so he wasn’t offended by it.” A fourth
interviewee said, “She is very pleasant, but
she can be rough sometimes. She runs a
tight courtroom, and that means that some-
times she is displeased with people, but usu-
ally when the lawyers deserve it.” Another
interviewee said Judge Danoff “is usually
respectful towards attorneys. She is low key.
She doesn’t go off half cocked like some
judges.” Two interviewees were more critical
of Judge Danoff than others, but had no
complaints about her demeanor. “She does
present on the bench as a very dignified and
courteous, professional judge. But when you
look under the hood, oh brother, oh boy!”
said one. Another said, “She will walk around
with a smile on her face, which I think is just
pretending to be sweet. But she is not nice to
288 Danoff New York Judge Reviews
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