Politics NY: Hemalee J. Patel Seeks To Become Brooklyn’s First South Asian Judge

Hemalee is originally from India and currently lives in Brooklyn. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science from New York University and a law degree from Brooklyn Law School. 

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Hemalee currently works as the general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections. She previously worked as a special referee for the Supreme Court of Richmond County and as a law clerk for state courts.

Hemalee J. Patel ran for civil court judge in 2017 but did not win.

As a state supreme court clerk, kept the record of all cases reviewed by the court, filed documents and transcripts, maintained the list of attorneys licensed to practice law before the court, and served as a point of contact for all litigants and attorneys who requested review of their cases.

As a special referee, heard and decided certain cases such as custody, visitation and orders of protection, issuing temporary and final orders.

- As a state supreme court clerk, kept the record of all cases reviewed by the court, filed documents and transcripts, maintained the list of attorneys licensed to practice law before the court, and served as a point of contact for all litigants and attorneys who requested review of their cases.
- As a special referee, heard and decided certain cases such as custody, visitation and orders of protection, issuing temporary and final orders.

Legal Experience

As of June 7, 2025, Hemalee J. Patel did not have a website or any information online.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

American Kahani: Indian American Lawyer Hemalee Patel Facing Objections to Her Judgeship Run in Brooklyn

Concerns have been expressed over whether her filing will be reviewed fairly, because subordinates at the board of educations may have to decide whether she can be on the ballot.

- Concerns have been expressed over whether her filing will be reviewed fairly, because subordinates at the board of educations may have to decide whether she can be on the ballot.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

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Hemalee J. Patel

Benjamin earned his law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

Benjamin works as an attorney at Lieberman Law Firm. He previously worked as a founding partner at Lieberman Brody LLP, a senior assistant district attorney in Kings County, and an assistant prosecutor in Essex County, New Jersey.

Ballotpedia: Benjamin Lieberman

Benjamin Lieberman's campaign for civil court judge in New York's Kings Municipal Court district 5 is his first run for public office. 

As an assistant prosecutor for 3 years, oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, presented pre-trial motions in court, prepared cases for trial, produced legal research, opinions, and documents, and conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.

As an assistant district attorney for 4 years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.

As a partner at Lieberman Brody LLP for 2 years, managed key client relationships, pursued new clients, mentored junior lawyers, oversaw certain areas of legal practice, and provided legal counsel and representation to clients.

As a partner at Lieberman Law Firm, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

- As an assistant prosecutor for 3 years, oversaw civil and criminal prosecutions, presented pre-trial motions in court, prepared cases for trial, produced legal research, opinions, and documents, and conducted interviews with victims, witnesses, and law enforcement officials.
- As an assistant district attorney for 4 years, prosecuted civil and criminal cases under state law on behalf of the district attorney’s office, supervised legal and clerical staff, and conducted interviews with victims and witnesses in ongoing cases.
- As a partner at Lieberman Brody LLP for 2 years, managed key client relationships, pursued new clients, mentored junior lawyers, oversaw certain areas of legal practice, and provided legal counsel and representation to clients.
- As a partner at Lieberman Law Firm, manages key client relationships, pursues new clients, mentors junior lawyers, oversees certain areas of legal practice, and provides legal counsel and representation to clients.

As of June 7, 2025, Benjamin J. Lieberman did not have a website or any information online.

Benjamin J. Lieberman

Jacob earned a bachelor's degree in computer and information sciences from Brooklyn College and a law degree from Fordham University School of Law. Jacob resides in Brooklyn with his wife and children. He is a lay leader in his synagogue, Yeshiva Gedolah Ohr of Marine Park.

Jacob is currently a principal law clerk at the New York City Civil Court, Kings County. Previously, he worked as an attorney for The Law Office of Jacob Zelmanovitz, as an associate at the Law Office of Sheldon Eisenberger, as an associate at Fish & Richardson.

Ballotpedia, Jacob Zelmanovitz

Jacob Zelmanovitz's campaign for Civil Court Judge in Kings Municipal Court District 5 is his first run for public office.

Candidate website

As an attorney, focused on litigation in state and federal courts, arbitration panels, and administrative tribunals, and handled criminal, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate, and transactional matters.

As an attorney at The Law Office of Jacob Zelmanovitz, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in litigation in state and federal courts, arbitration panels, administrative tribunals, criminal, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate, and transactional matters.

As a principal law clerk, drafts legal opinions, conducts court conferences with parties and attorneys, and acts as small claims court arbitrator and referee.

- As an attorney at The Law Office of Jacob Zelmanovitz, researched, drafted, and filed legal documents and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in litigation in state and federal courts, arbitration panels, administrative tribunals, criminal, bankruptcy, real estate, corporate, and transactional matters.
- As a principal law clerk, drafts legal opinions, conducts court conferences with parties and attorneys, and acts as small claims court arbitrator and referee.

As of June 7, 2025, Jacob Zelmanovitz’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Central Brookyln Independent Democrats, Judicial Candidate Questionare.

Provided counseling services to individuals dealing with consumer and business debts.

Volunteers for the Chevra Kadisha of Flatbush, an organization of Jewish men and women who prepare deceased bodies for burial according to Jewish tradition.

- Provided counseling services to individuals dealing with consumer and business debts.
- Volunteers for the Chevra Kadisha of Flatbush, an organization of Jewish men and women who prepare deceased bodies for burial according to Jewish tradition.

Jacob Zelmanovitz

- The New York Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court.
- It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $10,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters and housing code violations.
- There are 120 judges elected to the Civil Court, but only about 50 sit in it. The remaining judges sit in other courts, such as the Criminal Court or Family Court.
- Judges are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections.
- They are paid a salary of $216,400.

Judge who handles majority of civil cases in New York