2025 NYC General Election

Derefim Neckles

James Auchincloss

Buket Urgen

Black Women judges set their sights on Brooklyn's Supreme Court

Grenadian court attorney referee wants to be civil court judge ...

Derefim Neckles is from Grenada. She earned her bachelor’s degree in economics from Brooklyn College and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Miami School of Law. She lives in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.

Derefim is a court attorney referee at the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term, where she has worked since 2012. She spent the first four years of her legal career in private practice, handling civil rights, employment discrimination, landlord-tenant, and contract matters. She then spent 11 years in the Kings County Court system, starting as a court attorney in the civil and criminal courts. She later served as a confidential principal law secretary and legal adviser to a Kings County Supreme Court justice and the administrative judge of the Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term.

D. Bernadette Neckles - Ballotpedia

NYC Civil Court Judge: Kings Municipal Court District 6 • Civic Juice

Derefim B. Neckles is currently a judge of the New York City Civil Court in Kings County. She assumed office on January 1, 2020, and her current term ends on December 31, 2029. She previously ran for a seat on the New York City Civil Court in Kings County District 6 in 2017 but did not win.

Has volunteered as an arbitrator in the Small Claims Part of Kings County Civil Court for 14 years.

Legal Experience

Believes diversity on the bench leads to a broader understanding of the issues that affect different communities.

Judicial Philosophy

Wants to create an environment where "all parties feel heard and respected," ensure the court is accessible, and implement programs that educate the community about the legal process.

Judicial Administration

Volunteers as an arbitrator in the Small Claims Part of Kings County Civil Court.

Ethics & Conduct

Volunteers with the Summer Youth Employment Program, National Read Across America Event, and Women in Prison Project.

Community Involvement

Betsy Barros

Brian L. Goetlieb

Carl J. Landicio

Claudia Daniels-DePeyster

Jacqueline Williams

Jill R. Epstein

Maria Aragona

Norma Jennings

- The  New York Supreme Court is the state-wide trial court with the broadest jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. However, it is not the state’s court of last resort.
- It can hear virtually any type of case brought before it, except for claims brought against the state which must be heard by the Court of Claims. Generally, it hears high-level criminal cases or civil cases with a judgment of more than $50,000.
- It is the only court that can grant divorce, annulment, and separation in New York.
- The New York Supreme Court is broken into 12 judicial districts state-wide. There are currently 154 justices authorized to sit in the New York City Supreme Court, but only 136 actually serve in Supreme Court trial parts because some of the justices are assigned to the Appellate Division or the Appellate Term.
- Justices of the Supreme Court are elected to serve 14-year terms and are paid a salary of $232,600.

A judge on your judicial district’s trial court which oversees criminal and civil matters. 