FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Kathryn Inman
(212) 382-6656

New York City Bar Association Rates Primary Election Candidates for Civil Court and Surrogate's Court in New York City

New York, August 30, 2012 - The New York City Bar Association has evaluated the candidates running in the September 13th Democratic Party primary elections for Civil Court in Bronx County, Kings County and New York County and Surrogate’s Court in New York County. The review was conducted by the Association’s Committee on the Judiciary.

The Committee uses two ratings: Approved and Not Approved.  Candidates rated Approved have affirmatively demonstrated qualifications necessary for the performance of the duties of the position for which they are being considered.

Bronx County

Civil Court, 2nd District

Eddie McShan                         Approved

Juana P. Valentin                      Not approved by reason of the candidate’s failure
                                             to affirmatively demonstrate that she possesses
                                             the requisite qualifications for the court for
                                             which she is a candidate

Kings County

Civil Court, 1st District

Lara J. Genovesi                      Approved

Richard J. Montelione               Approved

Civil Court, 5th District

Theresa M. Ciccotto                 Approved

Charles Finkelstein                    Approved

Steven Z. Mostofsky                 Approved

New York County

Civil Court, 3rd District

Lisa A. Sokoloff                      Not approved by reason of the candidate’s failure
                                             to affirmatively demonstrate that she possesses
                                             the requisite qualifications for the court for
                                             which she is a candidate

Olga Statz                                Approved

Surrogate’s Court

Barbara Jaffe                            Approved

Rita Mella                                 Approved

Note: To ensure the thoroughness and integrity of the ratings process, the City Bar cannot comment beyond what is provided in this release.

About the Association
The New York City Bar Association (www.nycbar.org), since its founding in 1870, has been dedicated to maintaining the high ethical standards of the profession, promoting reform of the law and providing service to the profession and the public.  The Association continues to work for political, legal and social reform, while implementing innovative means to help the disadvantaged.  Protecting the public’s welfare remains one of the Association’s highest priorities.