Retired Judges

• Author: Elizabeth Smith/Mark Thompson
• Pages: 363-590

RETIRED

RETIRED

JUDGES

JUDGES

AMBRECHT, MICHAEL R.

Member, Ambrecht & Maloney, PLLC

Retired Justice, First Judicial District

Supreme Court, New York County

Previous Experience: Justice, New York

County Supreme Court, 2002-2009; Judge,

Court of Claims of the State of New York, New

York County, 2002-2009; Partner, Plunkett &

Jaffee, PC, 1999-2002; Member, New York

State Banking Board, 1999-2002; General

Counsel & Secretary, MTA Long Island Rail

Road, 1997-1999; Assistant Counsel to the

Governor, 1995-1997; Counsel, Governor’s

Judicial Screening Committee (chaired by the

Honorable Lawrence H. Cooke), 1995-1997;

Assistant District Attorney, New York County,

Felony Trials and Appeals, 1990-1995.

Honors and Memberships: The Federalist

Society, The Association of the Bar of the City

of New York, New York County Lawyers

Association, The Friendly Sons of Saint

Patrick, Republican National Lawyers

Association, Former George E. Pataki

Administration Appointees, New York City

Bar Association.

Education: J.D., Fordham University

School of Law (1991); B.A., New York

University (1985).

Biographical Data: Born in Rockville, NY.

Address: 245 Park Avenue, Suite 2405

New York, NY 10167-0002

OR

135 Walworth Avenue

White Plains, NY 10606

Phone: (212) 588-1670 (Manhattan)

(914) 428-2512 (White Plains)

ATTORNEYS’ COMMENTS

TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR

A majority of the interviewees said Judge

Ambrecht’s courtroom temperament is

“good.” Others opined, “It’s very nice. He’s

friendly” and “He’s professional and friendly.”

ON THE BENCH

When asked to describe Judge Ambrecht’s

legal knowledge, interviewees responded, “He’s

bright,” “It’s above average” and “It’s average.”

Two attorneys said this jurist’s courtroom

management style is “efficient.” Others opined,

“It’s fine,” “It’s semi-formal” and “It’s profes-

sional and efficient.” Nearly every lawyer inter-

viewed said Judge Ambrecht moves matters at

either an “appropriate” pace or “faster” than

his peers. However, one litigator disagreed and

said, “Judge Ambrecht is a bit slower since

he’s still somewhat new.” This jurist has a

good reputation for being courteous to all who

appear in front of him. Every lawyer praised

him in this area. Comments included: “He’s

very polite,” “Yes [he’s polite]. He’s a good

judge” and “He’s extremely polite.” Lawyers

said this judge usually takes the bench in a

timely manner. As one of them put it, “He’s

about average.”

ONTRIAL

Every interviewee said Judge Ambrecht

listens closely and keeps an open mind. As

one of them put it, “He absolutely keeps an

open mind. You can change his initial lean-

ings with a good, solid argument.” Judge

Ambrecht’s courtroom atmosphere was

described as “good,” “professional, fine,”

“comfortable,” “pleasant and professional”

and “both professional and comfortable.”

Attorneys familiar with this judge’s sentenc-

ing habits said, “He’s fair.”

SETTLEMENTS

Every interviewee familiar with Judge

Ambrecht’s negotiating skills said, “They’re

good.”

ADJOURNMENTS/CONTINUANCES

Most of the interviewees said you have

an “average” chance of getting Judge

Ambrecht to grant an adjournment once

good cause has been shown. Others opined,

“He’s very reasonable” about granting these

and “Judge Ambrecht is more likely” to

grant one than his peers.

PROCLIVITIES

Every interviewee praised the fairness of

Judge Ambrecht’s rulings and decisions. As

one of them put it, his decisions show “no

bias whatsoever.”

Retired Judges Ambrecht 849

SUGGESTIONS/SUMMARY

Attorneys seem to appreciate Judge

Ambrecht’s pleasant courtroom demeanor and

most of them said his legal knowledge is fine.

Perhaps the highest praise came when every

lawyer said Judge Ambrecht listens closely to

litigators’ arguments and keeps an open mind.

ARONIN, GLORIA COHEN

Judge, The Jansen Group

Retired Associate Justice, Appellate

Division, Second and Eleventh Judicial

Districts

Retired Justice, Second Judicial District

Supreme Court, Kings County

Appointment/Election: Elected to

Supreme Court in January 1988; certificated.

Previous Experience: Judge, Civil Court,

City of New York, elected in January 1980;

Former Acting Supreme Court Justice.

Biographical Data: Born December 1928.

Married (judge); two sons and one daughter.

Recent Noteworthy Decisions: Rhoda

Garber Rothstein As Executrix of the Estate of

Ari Rothstein v. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Co.,

etc., et al., Sept. 9, 1997 (tort liability of suc-

cessor corporations; product line exception);

Murray Hill Investments, Inc. v. Adas Yereim,

Inc., 11/95 (UCC Section 3-405(1)/imposter

rule/forged endorsements); Lewis v. Bussy,

10/95 (Products liability/intentional con-

duct); DiBrienza v. State of New York, 8/95

(Housing for disabled/uniform land use

review procedures).

Address: 366 North Broadway, PHE6

Jericho, NY 11753

Phone: (516) 433-3474

Fax: (516) 433-3495

ATTORNEYS’ COMMENTS

TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR

Some trial attorneys are ardent admirers

of Judge Aronin’s personality. “A fantastic

judge to appear before.” “She is a very cour-

teous judge. Easy to get along with.” “Very

forgiving judge.” “Very nice lady.” “Pleasant

and fair to all parties.” Justice Aronin is

reportedly “excellent with attorneys.” “Very

understanding and sympathetic to the par-

ties.” She is considered to have a part that

is a natural place to start for a young attor-

ney. “She would not be intimidating, but

they would have to be ready to give detailed

discussion about their positions and the

issues, since likely she will not be that

familiar with them.” “She would not allow

the adversary to bully a new attorney.”

ON THE BENCH

Attorneys see Judge Aronin as being smart

and knowledgeable, with very good legal acu-

men. “More street smart, but she relies on the

law.” “Very bright and competent judge.” What

was most often commented upon about pro-

ceedings in this court was their slowness. It

was related that in a relatively small courtroom

in Brooklyn, lawyers pile in for the call of the

motion calendar, which takes place some time

in the late morning. “She tends to be very late

to the bench.” “Not always on time.” “She

comes in very late, at about eleven. Then there

may be only one call of the calendar, so you

don’t want to miss it.” “The slowness of the

motion calendar is maddening.” Paradoxically,

once she gets there, some of these same

lawyers found her to be either efficient or

“not that efficient, but she really doesn’t

waste your time.” She is also reportedly “very

slow at issuing decisions. Sometimes it takes

months to get a decision on a motion.” But it

may be worth the wait. “Her decisions show

sound legal reasoning.”

ONTRIAL

There was nothing remarkable to report

about Justice Aronin’s trials except for their

pace: “slow trial.” The atmosphere was gener-

ally called “relaxed and informal.” As to her

conduct during trial, she is known to let every-

one try their own cases. “She gets involved in

the trial, but only when needed.” Her rulings

are generally seen as fair and consistent,

although some of the interviewees stated,

“She often rules by the seat of her pants.”

Not surprisingly, Judge Aronin is said to be

“extremely accommodating of witnesses’

schedules.” She is also known for being

“understanding to the jury.”

SETTLEMENTS

The judge is known to be quite good when

it comes to settlement negotiations.

“Extremely proactive settler. She pushes and

pushes.” “Always looking to settle.”

“Persistent and involved in settling.” “Very

850 Aronin New York Judge Reviews

competent settler.” “Active but not aggres-

sive. She’s not worried about clearing her

calendar.” “Good settler, but not too pushy.”

ADJOURNMENTS/CONTINUANCES

In regard to continuances, Judge Aronin

was reported to be “one of the most accom-

modating judges around.”

PROCLIVITIES

Opinions about whether or not she leans

toward one party or group ranged from “very

even” to “she might be slightly biased

toward the plaintiff.” “I never got any sense

of her being unfair.”

SUGGESTIONS/SUMMARY

“Her timetable is open to change, so be

ready to work around her changing sched-

ules.” “Don’t expect any quick decisions

from the bench.”

BARASCH, MELVIN S.

Judge, The Jansen Group

Retired Justice, Second Judicial District

Supreme Court, Kings County

Appointment/Election: Elected in

January 1991.

Biographical Data: Born September 1928.

Recent Noteworthy Decisions: Graham v.

Hynes (residency decision); New York Title

Wholesale v. Thomas Fatato Realty (landmark

interpretation of contract and mason agree-

ment); Ayoub v. Small Feast Caterers (employ-

ment contract interpretation); Williamsburg

Business Park v. Brooklyn Navy Yard

Development Corp. (lease interpretation); Sellin

v. Long Island College Hospital ($112 Million

Malpractice Verdict).

Address: 366 North Broadway, PHE6

Jericho, NY 11753

Phone: (516) 433-3474

Fax: (516) 433-3495

ATTORNEYS’ COMMENTS

TEMPERAMENT/DEMEANOR

Attorneys both like and respect Justice

Barasch and say he has an appropriately

judicial temperament. “Serious. Straight to

the point. Strict.” “Fine personality.” “Nice

guy.” “Extremely even-keeled, does not

waver.” “Patient.” “Very even tempered and

extremely easy to get along with.” The judge

is said to treat attorneys “very well” and

“respectfully.” He is not the type to sanction

readily, but as one lawyer reported, “I haven’t

seen it, but he will chew you out.” “If you are

late, he’ll call the case without you, but you

won’t be sanctioned.”

ON THE BENCH

Attorneys found nothing lacking in Judge

Barasch’s legal abilities. “Good.” “More than

competent.” He is seen to be prepared, efficient

and “extremely” hardworking. This Brooklyn

judge is certainly considered street smart, and

his legal acumen is said to be anywhere from

“good” to “outstanding.” His approach in ana-

lyzing a case is known to be “balanced between

the facts and the law. He had a firm view as to

each.” His decisions are generally known to be

well reasoned. “Well reasoned, even though I

didn’t agree.” “He’s pretty much by the book.”

He reputedly will engage in a true legal dis-

course and is open to all arguments. “He listens

to attorneys, but he’ll cut them off if an attor-

ney carries on.” “He’s amenable to listening.”

ONTRIAL

Interviewees consider this judge’s part to

be a good assignment for trial. The speed

and efficiency of the proceedings are said to

be excellent. “Quick pace. Better have your

witnesses available.” “Extremely punctual.”

“It went at the right speed.” “It moved well.”

The atmosphere in the courtroom was

described as “very serious,” but “pleasant.”

Justice Barasch will get involved in the pro-

ceedings only when necessary. “He lets

attorneys do what they need to do, within

the framework of the law.” “He will try not

to interfere with you.” “He never took over.

He showed the proper judicial restraint.”

His application of the rules of evidence was

called “good, not strict,” yet “right down the

middle.” “His rulings were fair.” Regardless

of the fast pace he likes to maintain, Judge

Barasch will accommodate people appear-

ing at the trials.

SETTLEMENTS

Regarding this judge’s ability to negoti-

ate settlements, comments were very posi-

tive. “Helpful.” “He made very fine efforts,

but the carrier was unreasonable.”

ADJOURNMENTS/CONTINUANCES

There were no problems reported with

requests for continuances. “Very fair.”

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