NASSAU COUNTY JUDICIARY CONTESTS
Below are the candidates' responses given to questions asked by the non-partisan Nassau County League of Women Voters. These responses and those of candidates in other races can be found at http://lwvofnassaucounty.org/files/NassauElections2013.pdf. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order
NASSAU COUNTY COURT - County-wide (Select two)
David J. Ayres (Dem)
Biographical Info:
First elected in 2003, Judge Ayres presently sits in Supreme Court, Criminal Term in Mineola. Prior to his election, he was Counsel to a County Court Judge for six years, and served as a prosecutor in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office prior thereto. Prior to his current assignment where he has presided over more than 100 felony criminal jury trials and thousands of pre-trial proceedings, Judge Ayres spent time as an Acting Family Court judge, presided over matrimonial and civil matters in Supreme Court, presided over the Mental Hygiene Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Court and was selected to help establish and preside over the first Sex Offense court created in New York State. A graduate of Adelphi
University and Hofstra School of Law, he is a lifelong resident of Nassau County, a proud husband and father of four.
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: To continue the good works I have begun in the fair dispensation of justice for the residents of our County.
First elected in 2003, Judge Ayres presently sits in Supreme Court, Criminal Term in Mineola. Prior to his election, he was Counsel to a County Court Judge for six years, and served as a prosecutor in the Nassau County District Attorney's Office prior thereto. Prior to his current assignment where he has presided over more than 100 felony criminal jury trials and thousands of pre-trial proceedings, Judge Ayres spent time as an Acting Family Court judge, presided over matrimonial and civil matters in Supreme Court, presided over the Mental Hygiene Court, Integrated Domestic Violence Court and was selected to help establish and preside over the first Sex Offense court created in New York State. A graduate of Adelphi
University and Hofstra School of Law, he is a lifelong resident of Nassau County, a proud husband and father of four.
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: To continue the good works I have begun in the fair dispensation of justice for the residents of our County.
Patricia Harrington (Rep)
Biographical Info:
Candidate Bio Field: EXPERIENCE • Over 17 years as a Principal Law Clerk for a County Court Judge in Mineola - drafted significant and published decisions for the Court • Over 8 years engaged in the private practice of law - trial and appellate work • Over 9 years as an Assistant
District Attorney in Suffolk County - numerous misdemeanor and felony trials - appellate advocacy in state and federal courts GRADUATE OF: • St. John's University School of Law - 1977 • Newton College of the Sacred Heart - 1974 BA. Mathematics • Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, NY - 1970 MEMBER OF: • Nassau County Bar Association • Catholic Lawyers' Guild • Kiwanian since 1994 - Distinguished past president of Nassau County Courthouses Kiwanis Club - current vice-president • Irish Americans in Government • American Bar Association Lives in Westbury with her husband. Found “well-qualified” by the Nassau County Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: I should be elected because my legal experience embraces all facets of the criminal justice system. I have had the privilege of representing the People of the State of New York, as well as those who have been charged with crimes. In addition, I have had the honor to have worked for four County Court Judges. From each judge, I have learned what I believe are necessary attributes for a judge: fairness and impartiality, which are, of course, required, but also knowledge and a sense of justice, as well as respect for the Court, the law and the litigants. I am a person of integrity, compassion and strength and with over 35 years of experience in the practice of criminal law, I am ready to be a judge in the County Court.
Candidate Bio Field: EXPERIENCE • Over 17 years as a Principal Law Clerk for a County Court Judge in Mineola - drafted significant and published decisions for the Court • Over 8 years engaged in the private practice of law - trial and appellate work • Over 9 years as an Assistant
District Attorney in Suffolk County - numerous misdemeanor and felony trials - appellate advocacy in state and federal courts GRADUATE OF: • St. John's University School of Law - 1977 • Newton College of the Sacred Heart - 1974 BA. Mathematics • Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, NY - 1970 MEMBER OF: • Nassau County Bar Association • Catholic Lawyers' Guild • Kiwanian since 1994 - Distinguished past president of Nassau County Courthouses Kiwanis Club - current vice-president • Irish Americans in Government • American Bar Association Lives in Westbury with her husband. Found “well-qualified” by the Nassau County Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: I should be elected because my legal experience embraces all facets of the criminal justice system. I have had the privilege of representing the People of the State of New York, as well as those who have been charged with crimes. In addition, I have had the honor to have worked for four County Court Judges. From each judge, I have learned what I believe are necessary attributes for a judge: fairness and impartiality, which are, of course, required, but also knowledge and a sense of justice, as well as respect for the Court, the law and the litigants. I am a person of integrity, compassion and strength and with over 35 years of experience in the practice of criminal law, I am ready to be a judge in the County Court.
David P. Sullivan (Rep, Con, I, TRP)
Biographical Info:
Visit Website: www.judgedavidsullivan.com
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: I should be elected based upon my experience. The County Court handles felony crimes. I was a prosecutor for seven years. A law secretary for eight years to County Court Judge Donald E. Belfi. My first trial as a law secretary to Judge Belfi was the Long Island Massacre case,
People v. Colin Ferguson. I was elected as a County Court Judge for ten years. This year I was appointed as a judge to the District Court bench by County Executive Ed Mangano after losing re-election last year. Based upon my reputation as a judge I received unanimous, bi-partisan
confirmation by the Nassau County legislature. My twenty-five years in the criminal law field makes me worthy of election back to the County Court.
Visit Website: www.judgedavidsullivan.com
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: I should be elected based upon my experience. The County Court handles felony crimes. I was a prosecutor for seven years. A law secretary for eight years to County Court Judge Donald E. Belfi. My first trial as a law secretary to Judge Belfi was the Long Island Massacre case,
People v. Colin Ferguson. I was elected as a County Court Judge for ten years. This year I was appointed as a judge to the District Court bench by County Executive Ed Mangano after losing re-election last year. Based upon my reputation as a judge I received unanimous, bi-partisan
confirmation by the Nassau County legislature. My twenty-five years in the criminal law field makes me worthy of election back to the County Court.
David I. Levine (Dem)
Biographical Info: (as provided to the Nassau County League of Women Voters and published in the LWV Voters Guide)
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: - no response -
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: - no response -
NASSAU COUNTY FOURTH DISTRICT COURT (Covers Oyster Bay and Glen Cove)
Select ONE
Rhonda Erin Fischer (Rep)
Biographical Info:
Judge Rhonda Erin Fischer was elected to the District Court in 2007. She presided over the specialty Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Part and currently sits in a private attorney criminal part. Judge Fischer was appointed to the County Executive's Task Force on Family/Domestic Violence and was the Key Note Speaker for the CSEA's Women Divison's Dinner. Prior to ascending to the bench, Judge Fischer was a trial lawyer and supervising attorney in the Office of the Nassau County Attorney. She litigated in both the Federal and State Courts. Judge Fischer is a lifelong resident of Nassau County.
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: Being a lifelong resident of Nassau County I truly appreciate our quality of life. As a District Court Judge I am able to assist in keeping that beautiful quality of life that we have all come to enjoy. I have had the unique ability to provide assistance to individuals and families that need it and provide alternatives when necessary. I consider the position of Judge of the District Court to be a true privilege to serve the residents and would be honored to continue to serve
Judge Rhonda Erin Fischer was elected to the District Court in 2007. She presided over the specialty Domestic Violence Misdemeanor Part and currently sits in a private attorney criminal part. Judge Fischer was appointed to the County Executive's Task Force on Family/Domestic Violence and was the Key Note Speaker for the CSEA's Women Divison's Dinner. Prior to ascending to the bench, Judge Fischer was a trial lawyer and supervising attorney in the Office of the Nassau County Attorney. She litigated in both the Federal and State Courts. Judge Fischer is a lifelong resident of Nassau County.
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: Being a lifelong resident of Nassau County I truly appreciate our quality of life. As a District Court Judge I am able to assist in keeping that beautiful quality of life that we have all come to enjoy. I have had the unique ability to provide assistance to individuals and families that need it and provide alternatives when necessary. I consider the position of Judge of the District Court to be a true privilege to serve the residents and would be honored to continue to serve
Marc Laykind (Dem, WFP)
Biographical Info:
Marc Laykind, a candidate for District Court Judge, is a lifelong resident of the Town of Oyster Bay. He is a graduate of Binghamton University and received his Law Degree from Hofstra University School of Law. He is currently an attorney in private practice, with offices in Nassau and New York City. Mr. Laykind began his career in public service as a senior staff trial attorney in NYC where he handled thousands of cases building extensive
litigation experience as a trial lawyer. He was a former member of the ALF-CIO UAW union, American Bar Association, New York State, Nassau and Queens County Bar Associations.
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: I feel I have the experience and understanding of what it takes to be a Judge in the Nassau County District Court. My experience comes from the practice of law for more than 20 years. My practice has been consisted of both criminal and civil litigation. I have appeared daily in the various courts within New York State, and have conducted countless numbers of hearings and trials. My understanding of the position comes from litigating in the various courts of law, which has allowed me to learn to deal with not only Judges, but with other attorneys, prosecutors and litigants as well. This interaction within the court system has prepared me for the challenge of serving the residents of Oyster Bay and Nassau County as a Judge of the District Court.
Marc Laykind, a candidate for District Court Judge, is a lifelong resident of the Town of Oyster Bay. He is a graduate of Binghamton University and received his Law Degree from Hofstra University School of Law. He is currently an attorney in private practice, with offices in Nassau and New York City. Mr. Laykind began his career in public service as a senior staff trial attorney in NYC where he handled thousands of cases building extensive
litigation experience as a trial lawyer. He was a former member of the ALF-CIO UAW union, American Bar Association, New York State, Nassau and Queens County Bar Associations.
Questions:
Q: Why should you be elected or re-elected? Please be specific.
A: I feel I have the experience and understanding of what it takes to be a Judge in the Nassau County District Court. My experience comes from the practice of law for more than 20 years. My practice has been consisted of both criminal and civil litigation. I have appeared daily in the various courts within New York State, and have conducted countless numbers of hearings and trials. My understanding of the position comes from litigating in the various courts of law, which has allowed me to learn to deal with not only Judges, but with other attorneys, prosecutors and litigants as well. This interaction within the court system has prepared me for the challenge of serving the residents of Oyster Bay and Nassau County as a Judge of the District Court.
