I am campaigning to be your next Family Court Judge to help families in Westchester resolve conflicts in a manner that makes them feel heard and respected, while ensuring that children remain safe in the care of their parents or legal guardians.
I am a first-generation American, born to naturalized citizen parents from Jamaica, West Indies. My sister, Nadia, and I were raised in the Bronx, NY, though I spent much of my formative years in Westchester County. For the past five years, Yonkers, NY, has been my home. I am an alumna of Sacred Heart High School in Yonkers and the College of New Rochelle in New Rochelle, NY. The summer before my junior year, I faced the profound loss of my mother to cancer. During this challenging time, my friends and family, including my sister, aunts, and uncles, provided unwavering support, ensuring that I could graduate without interruption.
My family was always aware of my dreams of becoming a lawyer and encouraged me to apply to law school without taking a gap year. I attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School (now known as Western Michigan University Law School) in Lansing, MI. It was hard living in a state without my friends and family, but they always ensured that I felt supported despite the long distance.
Upon returning to New York after obtaining my law degree, I applied for a position as a court clerk in the Westchester Family Court. However, my potential supervisor instead forwarded my résumé to the supervising judge of the family court, who subsequently hired me as her administrative assistant. This opportunity changed my life and the trajectory of my career. Although I had no prior experience in family law, I immediately fell in love with it. While awaiting the results of my bar exam, I was hired as a court attorney by a newly elected family court judge.
Over the next 12 years, I worked for three judges, gaining invaluable insights into writing and communication from them, fellow court attorneys, and clerks. I had the opportunity to connect with and assist individuals who came to the court during the most vulnerable times of their lives, particularly when facing issues related to their own or their children’s safety, as well as custodial and financial needs. It was deeply rewarding to develop creative solutions that allowed them to resolve conflicts without going to trial. I then transitioned from Family Court to become a trained mediator, taking on the role of Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for the 9th Judicial District, a position I have held for the past four years. In this role, I further refined my settlement skills and embraced a new approach to helping people resolve conflicts.
In addition to my work with the court, I have maintained strong ties to the community that I consider my home.
My life and career have prepared me to continue serving my community.
