2017 Candidates

Family Court Linda Mejias
My name is Linda Kelly Mejias and I am running for Nassau County Family Court Judge. I am woman of integrity who is deeply committed to fair, and equal treatment under the law with equal access to justice for all. I am well qualified to serve as Family Court Judge based upon my over 8 years of extensive experience as a Principal Law Clerk in the Supreme Court, of which 7 have been in the Matrimonial Center dealing with family law matters. As such, I draft all decisions and orders, including decision on the custody, and spousal and child support. I also conference most matters, including all matters with self-represented litigants. I have been found "well qualified" by the Nassau County Bar Association. I am a mother, a woman, community activist, active member of my church, bar association leader, and a Latina who will bring a perspective to the bench that is now missing. With my legal experience, I will work hard to restore credibility to our judicial system, and ensure that equal access to justice is a priority. I have proven myself to be a fair, efficient, hard-working, and respectful to not only the parties and attorneys, but especially to Court personnel and staff. I am woman of integrity who is deeply committed to fair, and equal treatment under the law with equal access to justice for all. As a first-generation American, I have a deep appreciation for a fair, just and efficient Judicial System. My parents fled from countries where corruption and bias pervade the judiciary. It has been my long time goal to become a judge who will adhere to the essential ideals of the Justice- fairness, ethics, and integrity. It has been through hard work, dedication and perseverance that I am my family have been able to attain our American Dream! My faith has been paramount, and I always made education my priority. As a first generation Latina, I knew that I must educate myself and do my best to be a good example of a Latina and make my people proud. I also know that by giving back to my community, I have been able to make friends, and connections that have been invaluable to me in my journey. I received my Juris Doctorate from Columbia University School of Law and my Bachelors Degree from Wellesley College, magna cum laude. I am also a graduate of the Waldorf School of Garden City.

Family Court Robert Nigro
Bob attended Fordham College. After graduation from Fordham Law School in 1976, Bob joined the Nassau County District attorney’s Office, working there for six years, in both trial parts, the rackets and appeals bureaus. He appeared in all levels of NYS Courts, and in Federal Courts. In 1982 he left to become the Principle Law Clerk to the Hon. Abbey L. Boklan of the County Court. After five years in the courts Bob did two tours in private practice working for the firms of Munley Mead Nielsen and Re, and then Capetola and Doddato. In private practice Bob engaged in the general practice of law in all levels of the State courts working on both civil and criminal cases. His experiences included commercial, personal injury, real estate, corporate, surrogate’s and zoning matters. In 1989 Bob returned to work for DA Denis Dillon, and after spending a few months in the County Court Trial bureau he became the head of the Civil Forfeiture Unit, and later the first Chief of the Civil Forfeiture Bureau. There he directed a staff of attorney’s investigators, paralegals and secretaries, in the investigation and prosecution of civil forfeiture actions and evictions which returned millions of dollars to victims and law enforcement by forcing criminals to give up the proceeds of their crimes. During his twenty years in his second career as a prosecutor, Bob lectured throughout NYS, on topics of State and Federal civil and criminal forfeiture. He served, as well as the treasurer of the NYS District Attorney’s Association for eight years. While an ADA Bob found time to teach at both the Hofstra Law School, and in the Criminal Justice Program at Nassau Community College. He is also a board member of both the Columbian Lawyers Association, and the Nassau Lawyers Association, and is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and the Catholic Lawyers Guild. Upon retiring from the DA’s office in 2010, Bob began a new career in 2011, working for the Nassau County Bar Association Assigned Counsel Defender Plan, Inc., which provides panels of qualified attorneys who are assigned by the judges to represent people who cannot afford any attorney in both the criminal courts, and family court. In his role as the Administrator Bob manages a staff of four with a budget of over $7,000,000.00. The job requires Bob to oversee the conduct, and compensation of almost 300 lawyers and several hundred experts. He determines the qualification of the attorneys and experts, provides continuing legal education and works to make sure the thousands of applications for payment are quickly processed. Bob also prepares the budget and contract each year, for his office, as well as contributing to the County’s applications for and the allocation of millions of dollars in grants awarded for indigent defense. Bob’s present position requires a significant understanding of the law, and procedure in the Family Court, as well as the Criminal Courts. He is often called upon to answer questions, and solve problems involving the various types of matters arising in Family Court and to mediate between litigants in Family Court, their assigned attorneys, and the judges. Under his direction an attorney of the day program was established in Nassau Family Court which makes available, every day, an attorney who can be assigned to represent litigants in Family Court who cannot afford to hire an attorney, and paid for with funds provided by a grant from New York State.

Supreme Court 10th Judicial District Hon. William Rebolini
Supreme Court Justice William B. Rebolini is currently the presiding justice of a civil litigation trial part which serves as a court of law and equity. He is also a former adjunct professor, at Dowling College, teaching Business Law and Ethics, Labor and Employment Law and related topics. He was formerly an adjunct professor of Business Law at the New York Institute of Technology. Justice Rebolini also served as Deputy Supervisor/Councilman, Town of Huntington, partially responsible for the policy and operations of local municipal government.
As an attorney in private practice, he represented various individuals, business entities, charitable organizations and an insurance company in civil litigation and other matters. As an associate for a New York City law firm in securities litigation, under the supervision of a senior partner, he authored a petition for writ of certiorari to the U.S. Supreme Court which resulted in the case being accepted for appeal and received the honor of appearing before the U.S. Supreme Court as co-counsel at the age of 27. He has served as an officer and board member of many charitable and professional organizations including the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, the Suffolk County Bar Association, Rotary, the Guide Dog Foundation, Moonjumpers Charitable Foundation, the Long Island Development Corporation, and others. He has been a judge since 36 years of age and has been on the bench for close to 24 years.

District Court Maxine Broderick
Maxine S. Broderick, Esq. is a Democratic candidate for Nassau County District Court Judge. Ms. Broderick is a former Hempstead Village Justice who presided over civil and misdemeanor criminal matters. Ms. Broderick is an experienced matrimonial, family, criminal, real estate, foreclosure and bankruptcy practitioner who has been admitted to practice in New York since 2004.
Dedicated to community service, Ms. Broderick has provided pro bono representation to low income New Yorkers and victims of domestic violence. Ms. Broderick has been recognized by the Nassau County Bar Association, Nassau-Suffolk Law Services and The Safe Center LI as a 2016 Access to Justice Pro Bono Provider.
Ms. Broderick is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the Nassau County Bar Association (Chairperson - General, Small and Solo Practice Committee), serves on the board of the Nassau County Women's Bar Association, and is the immediate past president of the Amistad Long Island Black Bar Association.
Ms. Broderick is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (Long Island Chapter), the Long Island African American Chamber of Commerce, the Order of the Easter Star (Nassau Chapter 718), and serves on the boards of the Hempstead Boys and Girls Club and the Hempstead NAACP.
Ms. Broderick is a resident of Hempstead and graduate of St. Agnes Elementary School, Sacred Heart Academy, Fordham University and Brooklyn Law School.

District Court Elizabeth Fox-McDonough
Elizabeth Fox-McDonough is running for the position of Judge in the Nassau County District Court in this November's election. Elizabeth has been a long time resident of Nassau County living with her husband and daughter and has strong commitment to the community. Her experience as a Principal Law Clerk in the New York State Courts and her career as a prosecutor provides her with the experience and qualifications to make her a fine candidate.
Elizabeth grew up as the daughter of a New York City Fireman and a Parochial School Librarian along with five older siblings. After High School, she attended St John's University where she majored in Political Science and graduated Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in 1984. Elizabeth then attended St. John's University Law School graduating with a Juris Doctorate in 1987.
Elizabeth began her legal career in the Queens County District Attorney's Office where she went on to have a ten year career as prosecutor. She took on the challenging role as a prosecutor in the Special Victim's Bureau where she was responsible for the prosecution of sex crimes, crimes against children and the elderly and domestic violence matters. Elizabeth also was a Senior Assistant District Attorney in the Appeals Bureau where she handled a vast number of the appeals of serious felony convictions. As a talented appellate attorney, she argued an extensive number of cases before the New York State and Federal Appellate Courts including the New York State Court of Appeals. She was also designated Chief Legal Advisor to the Special Victims Bureau. Elizabeth was elevated to the position of Supervisor of the Domestic Violence Unit where she supervised the Assistant District Attorneys responsible for the prosecution of the domestic violence cases in the Queens Criminal Court.
In 1997, Elizabeth became a Principal Law Clerk to Justice Arthur Cooperman in the Criminal Term of the Queens Supreme Court. Elizabeth was involved as the legal advisor in an extensive number of criminal trials involving complex legal issues and high profile cases. She was also responsible for writing decisions and memorandums of law for the Court. Elizabeth also went on to work for Judge Barry Kron where she continued her role as a Chief Legal Counsel to the Judge.
Since 2014, Elizabeth has served as the Principal Law Clerk to Administrative Judge Norman St. George of the Nassau County District Court. She has demonstrated her ability to understand and implement effective procedures so that the District Court serves the public and professionals who practice in the Court. Elizabeth also has an in depth knowledge of the legal issues that are presented in the matters that are litigated within the District Court. She has gained a reputation of being knowledgeable, fair and someone who treats everyone with the courtesy they deserve. Additionally, Elizabeth has been an adjunct professor at Queens College, Nassau Community College and Molloy College teaching Legal Research and Legal Writing.
Elizabeth is married to a New York State Court Officer and has a daughter who attends High School. They have been Nassau County residents for 17 years and are active in their community. Elizabeth has been found "Well Qualified " by the Nassau County Bar Association.

District Court Darlene Harris
EXPERIENCE
Found “well qualified” by Nassau County Bar Association.
District Court Judge
Admission: NYS Bar, 2nd Dept. 1989, US Supreme Court 2000, and
US District Court, New York Eastern and Southern Districts 1990
11 years as NYC Parking Violations Administrative Law Judge
Arbitrator and SCAR Hearing Officer
Chairperson, Assessment Review Commission
13 years in Private Practice
Former Nassau County Legislator, Two Terms
Former Deputy Town Attorney, Town of Hempstead
Former Senior Court Attorney, Nassau County District Court
Former NYC and Nassau County Legal Aid Attorney
Former Law Assistant, Nassau County Attorney’s Office
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, Hofstra University School of Law, 1989
B.A. in International Politics, University of Pennsylvania, 1986
University of London Law School Scholar
Hofstra Law School Academic Achievement Scholarship winner
Ms. Harris is not only professionally qualified but has received numerous awards and honors and has been a dedicated civic and community leader. Ms. Harris is or has been an active member of the following organizations: State Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts; New York State, Nassau County and Amistad Bar Associations; Uniondale Kiwanis; 100 Black Women of Long Island; Executive Board of Hempstead NAACP, and volunteer counsel for the REACH Homeless project. In addition she has
served as a coordinator of the Mentor Program and a mentor at Roosevelt Jr.-Sr. High School, and Trustee Board member, co-leader of the Married Couple ministry, leader of the Love in Motion dance ministry, vice-president of the Voices of Judah choir, Usher Board member, Sunday school teacher and youth coordinator for the Teens for Christ at Grace Cathedral. She is married to Elton McCabe and the proud mother of seven year old Juliana.

District Court Hon. Anthony Paradiso
Judge Anthony W. Paradiso was elected to the Second District Court in November 2005 and re-elected in November 2011. He is seeking another six-year term to that court in 2017. In 2014, he was designated an Acting Judge of the County Court, and is presently assigned to the felony screening part in Mineola. Prior to his election, Judge Paradiso served as Law Secretary to the Hon. Peter B. Skelos, Associate Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department. Judge Paradiso is a graduate of Syracuse University College of Law, where he was a member of the Syracuse Law Review. While at Syracuse University, Judge Paradiso received a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, from Long Island University.
Judge Paradiso began his legal career as a business litigation associate at the Long Island firm of Rivkin, Radler & Kremer. Thereafter, he was appointed an Assistant Attorney General by New York State Attorney General Dennis C. Vacco. He served in the Mineola Regional Office where he concentrated on consumer protection matters. He began working for Justice Skelos in 1999.
Judge Paradiso is an active member of the Nassau County Bar Association, where he previously served on the Board of Directors. He is also a long-standing member of the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association and has been supportive of its goals and programs for many years. He is a Past President of the Columbian Lawyers’ Association of Nassau County and presently serves as its Executive Director. Judge Paradiso is also an active member of the Rockville Centre Lions Club in his home community. In 2003-2004, Judge Paradiso served as District Governor for the 50 Lions Clubs in Nassau County and Bermuda. He was recently appointed by Lions International as its representative to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

District Court Hon. Gary Knobel
AS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE (SECOND DISTRICT, TOWN OF HEMPSTEAD) FOR THE PAST 12 YEARS, NOW RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION , I STRIVE EVERYDAY TO MAKE CORRECT, FAIR DECISIONS, AND EFFECTUATE JUSTICE BY APPLYING MY KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAW (AS AN ADJUCT PROFESSOR AT HOFSTRA LAW SCHOOL FOR FIFTEEN YEARS, WITH A MASTER OF LAWS DEGREE FROM NYU), AND BY BALANCING THE RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES. I HAVE THE LEGAL COURAGE TO TEMPER THE STRICT APPLICATION OF THE LAW WITH COMPASSION. THE 21 MEMBERS OF THE BI-PARTISAN JUDICIARY COMMITTEE OF THE NASSAU COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION HAS UNANIMOUSLY FOUND ME "WELL- QUALIFIED" TO CONTINUE TO PRESIDE AS A DISTRICT COURT JUDGE. I HAVE BEEN ASSIGNED TO PRESIDE OVER 700 GUARDIANSHIP CASES AS AN ACTING COUNTY COURT JUDGE SINCE 2013. I AM AN APPOINTED MEMBER OF THE STATEWIDE SPECIAL COMMISSION ON FIDUCIARY MATTERS. IN 2011, I WAS ASSIGNED TO CONDUCT FELONY CONFERENCES AS WELL AS PSYCHIATRIC RETENTION AND TREATMENT HEARINGS. I HAVE SERVED AS AN INSTRUCTOR FOR NEWLY ELECTED AND APPOINTED JUDGES AT THE STATE JUDICIAL INSTITUTE, AND AT THE JUDICIAL SEMINARS CONDUCTED BY THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION. I HAVE HAD MANY SCHOLARLY AND DISTINGUISHABLE OPINIONS PUBLISHED IN THE NEW YORK LAW JOURNAL AND THE OFFICIAL NYS REPORTER. PRIOR TO BEING ELECTED TO THE DISTRICT COURT, I SERVED AS A LAW CLERK FOR 24 YEARS TO JUDGES PRESIDING IN THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT, THE NEW YORK CITY CIVIL COURT, AND THE NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT. I AM THE CHAIR OF THE JUDICIAL SECTION OF THE NASSAU BAR ASSOCIATION, AND AM A MEMBER OF THE BOARD OF THE JEWISH LAWYERS ASSOCIATION. I WAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NYS DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ASSOCIATION FROM 2015-2017. FOR 24 YEARS I HAVE HELPED NEEDY INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY BY DELIVERING FOOD TO SENIORS ON A WEEKLY BASIS AS PART OF THE ISLAND HARVEST AND LONG ISLAND CARE PROGRAMS. I AM A MEMBER OF THE NYS & NASSAU WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATIONS. MY WIFE ILENE, PRINCIPAL LAW CLERK TO HON. MARTIN J. SCHULMAN, IS A PAST PRESIDENT OF THE QUEENS WOMEN'S BAR ASSOCIATION. WE ARE PROUD OF OUR TWO CHILDREN

Family Court Eileen Daly-Sapraicone
Eileen Daly-Sapraicone is a Family Court Support Magistrate with over 20 years public sector legal experience. Having been found “Well Qualified” by the Nassau County Bar Association’s Judiciary Committee, Eileen is a candidate for Nassau County Family Court Judge on the Democrat and Republican lines. Eileen Daly-Sapraicone has the experience, ability, integrity and understanding to work in one of the most important Courts for families and to decide matters in the best interests of the children.