2026 New York General Election

## Education & Credentials
University Attended:
Adelphi University, B.A., 1992; Adelphi University, M.A., 1999

Law School Attended:
Hofstra University, J.D., 2005

David A. Bellon Profile | Fresh Meadows, NY Lawyer | Martindale.com

Law School Attended:
Hofstra University, J.D., 2005

Year of First Admission:

David A. Bellon earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts from Adelphi University and a law degree from Hofstra University.

Admission:
2006, New York; 2008, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York; 2008, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

## Areas of Practice (3)

* Securities
* Securities Litigation
* Federal Tort Claims Act

David A. Bellon is admitted to practice law in New York and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. His listed practice areas include securities law, securities litigation, and Federal Tort Claims Act matters.

David is admitted to practice law in New York and before the U.S. District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. His listed practice areas include securities law, securities litigation, and Federal Tort Claims Act matters.

Practices securities law and litigation, and handles Federal Tort Claims Act cases.

Is admitted to practice law in New York and in the federal district courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

- Practices securities law and litigation, and handles Federal Tort Claims Act cases.
- Is admitted to practice law in New York and in the federal district courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

Legal Experience

As of September 9, 2026, David A. Bellon’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement

David A. Bellon

Mauricio Mendez

Buket Urgen

Novillo immigrated from Ecuador along with his family when he was a young child, and grew up in Jackson Heights. Novillo said his experience growing up in a working-class family is what motivated him to go to law school and what eventually drove him to the bench.

Queens Dems tap three judges for Supreme Court

Justice Novillo is a graduate of John Jay College and Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, where he was recognized for his public service, earning two prestigious public interest fellowships.

Third Annual Convocation for Men of Color

Edwin I. Novillo immigrated from Ecuador with his family as a young child and grew up in Jackson Heights. He is a graduate of John Jay College and Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

Edwin immigrated from Ecuador with his family as a young child and grew up in Jackson Heights. He is a graduate of John Jay College and Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center.

Prior to his becoming a judge, he was employed by The Legal Aid Society, serving as a staff attorney in its Kings County Criminal Defense Practice and later as a senior staff attorney in the Society’s Queens County Criminal Defense Practice.

News Flash: LLAQC Member Hon. Edwin I. Novillo Named Supervising Judge of Queens County Criminal Court

He got his start as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society, representing defendants in both Queens and Brooklyn over a 14-year career.

Edwin I. Novillo previously worked at The Legal Aid Society as a staff attorney in its Kings County Criminal Defense Practice and later as a senior staff attorney in its Queens County Criminal Defense Practice.

LLAQC Member Hon. Edwin I. Novillo Named Supervising Judge of ...

He transferred to the Queens County Criminal Court in 2021, where has overseen thousands of cases including the majority of the unindicted felonies in Queens County, according to the Latino Judges Association, which Novillo is a board member of.

Queens gets two new supervising judges

Hon. Edwin I. Novillo has been serving in Queens County Supreme Court’s Criminal Term, where he hears an array of matters. His judicial career began with his interim appointment to New York City Civil Court in February 2018, making him the first person of Ecuadorian descent to be named to the judiciary by a New York City mayor. He was reappointed in January 2019, serving on the New York City Criminal Court and presiding over thousands of cases, and later designated an acting Supreme Court Justice.

Transferred to Queens County Criminal Court in 2021 and oversaw thousands of cases, including most unindicted felony cases in Queens County.

Represented criminal defendants as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society in Queens and Brooklyn for 14 years.

Began his judicial career with an interim appointment to New York City Civil Court in February 2018.

Served on New York City Criminal Court after being reappointed in January 2019 and presided over thousands of cases.

Served as an acting Supreme Court Justice after his New York City Criminal Court service.

- Transferred to Queens County Criminal Court in 2021 and oversaw thousands of cases, including most unindicted felony cases in Queens County.
- Represented criminal defendants as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society in Queens and Brooklyn for 14 years.
- Began his judicial career with an interim appointment to New York City Civil Court in February 2018.
- Served on New York City Criminal Court after being reappointed in January 2019 and presided over thousands of cases.
- Served as an acting Supreme Court Justice after his New York City Criminal Court service.

To the extent that being a public defender has shaped me, it’s helped me understand that everyone involved in a case is a human. I don’t look at cases that come before me as pieces of paper,” he said.

From legal defender to docket warrior: Supervising Judge Novillo takes on Queens Criminal Court

“It is both a profound privilege and a great honor to accept the appointment as supervising judge in the borough where I was raised,” Novillo said. “Queens, a borough renowned for its vibrant cultural diversity, has instilled in me a deep understanding of the vital importance of ensuring that justice is administered with fairness, integrity, and empathy. I am firmly committed to assuring that every individual, regardless of background, can experience a system of justice that treats them with dignity and respect.”

Said his public-defender experience leads him to view everyone involved in a case as human, rather than as paperwork.

Committed to administering justice with fairness, integrity, and empathy, and treating people with dignity and respect regardless of background.

- Said his public-defender experience leads him to view everyone involved in a case as human, rather than as paperwork.
- Committed to administering justice with fairness, integrity, and empathy, and treating people with dignity and respect regardless of background.

That approach quickly clicked into place on the bench and when Novillo was assigned to the standards and goals part. Instead of defending clients in need, he would attack the backlog.

“The way that I still see access to justice is giving people an opportunity to have their day in court to litigate their cases,” he said.

Novillo would get cases to resolve through his own willingness to barrel through long caseloads per day. In cases where defense or prosecution wasn’t ready for trial, he would give them a brief window and then stick it on the calendar even if it was already stacked.

“What I started doing is I started holding their feet to the fire, and I started saying, ‘Well, you’re requesting a week. No problem. If it’s the 120th case that I have on that calendar that day, I’ll give you a week,’” Novillo said.

He was subsequently promoted to serve as an acting justice of the criminal term of Queens Supreme Court in 2024 before he took over as supervising judge this past January, where he oversees the administration of the criminal court and courthouse operations.

“I think my approach is a collaborative one. I want to make sure that I listen to everybody’s input,” Novillo said.

Novillo has some impressive stats to show for his tenure as an administrator. He has opened a second trial part for misdemeanor cases, which has resulted in 20% more trials being completed compared to the previous year. Since February, he has reduced the number of cases over a year old by 31%. He opened an expedited arraignment part on Fridays for cases where the DA’s office is consenting to release defendants. It processes 20 to 30 cases every Friday morning, and has led to an average 12% decrease in the arrest-to-arraignment time.

“We don’t want anybody staying incarcerated, a second longer than they need to,” Novillo said.

Said access to justice means giving people an opportunity to have their day in court and litigate their cases.

Said he gives parties short adjournments and keeps their cases on the calendar to move them toward resolution.

Said he takes a collaborative approach and listens to input from everyone involved in court administration.

Said people should not remain incarcerated longer than necessary.

- Said access to justice means giving people an opportunity to have their day in court and litigate their cases.
- Said he gives parties short adjournments and keeps their cases on the calendar to move them toward resolution.
- Said he takes a collaborative approach and listens to input from everyone involved in court administration.
- Said people should not remain incarcerated longer than necessary.

As of September 9, 2026, Edwin I. Novillo did not have a website or any information online.

Among his professional activities, he serves on the board of the Latino Judges Association, is a member of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County and mentors aspiring judges via the Franklin H. Williams Commission’s Judicial Mentorship Program.

Mentors aspiring judges through the Franklin H. Williams Commission’s Judicial Mentorship Program.

- Mentors aspiring judges through the Franklin H. Williams Commission’s Judicial Mentorship Program.

Edwin I. Novillo

- Was appointed Supervising Judge of Queens County Criminal Court.

As of September 9, 2026, Edwin I. Novillo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Instagram

Civil Court, 4th Municipal District (Jamai3, Rochdale, Springfield Gardens, Cambria
Heights, Hollis, Queens Village and Glenn
Oaks), two to be elected
Gail Adams (D)  For the past year, Adams
has worked as a court referee in Queens Su3reme Court, Civil Term. She has worked in
the court system since 2013 and has also served as a
law clerk. Adams previously worked at a num3ber of private firms and ran her own practice.
She began her career at the Legal Aid Society
in Nassau County.

QDE 102025.indd (PDF)

Gail Adams (D)  For the past year, Adams
has worked as a court referee in Queens Su3reme Court, Civil Term. She has worked in
the court system since 2013 and has also served as a
law clerk. Adams previously worked at a num3ber of private firms and ran her own practice.
She began her career at the Legal Aid Society
in Nassau County.

Gail A. Adams works as a court referee in the Civil Term of Queens Supreme Court. She has also served as a law clerk, worked at private law firms, run her own practice, and started her career at the Legal Aid Society in Nassau County.

Served as a court referee in Queens Supreme Court’s Civil Term.

Worked at private law firms and ran a private legal practice.

Began her legal career at the Legal Aid Society in Nassau County.

- Served as a court referee in Queens Supreme Court’s Civil Term.
- Worked at private law firms and ran a private legal practice.
- Began her legal career at the Legal Aid Society in Nassau County.

As of September 9, 2026, Gail A. Adams did not have a website or any information online.

Gail A. Adams

As of September 9, 2026, Gail A. Adams’s website did not contain information on this issue.

LinkedIn

Muraca attended St. John’s University and CUNY Law School, and his brother, Felice Muraca, is a judge in Long Island.

Queens GOP picks judge nominations

Gary Muraca attended St. John’s University and CUNY Law School.

Gary attended St. John’s University and CUNY Law School.

Muraca is an attorney who has been practicing law in both the five boroughs and Long Beach since 1983. He’s a graduate of CUNY Law School. He ran for a spot on the Supreme Court bench last year. The sole Republican candidate in the 2023, Muraca finished last in the race, winning a little more than 8 percent of the vote but finishing with half as many votes as the second-fewest vote getter.

Who’s running to become a judge in Queens

About Gary Muraca
Professional Experience
Attorney (2025 - Present)

Election Information

Gary Muraca | BallotReady

Gary Muraca currently works as an attorney and has practiced law in the five boroughs and Long Beach.

Gary currently works as an attorney and has practiced law in the five boroughs and Long Beach.

Gary previously ran for a seat on the New York Supreme Court in 2023 but did not win.

Gary Muraca previously ran for a seat on the New York Supreme Court in 2023 but did not win.

Practices law in New York City’s five boroughs and Long Beach and has done so since 1983.

- Practices law in New York City’s five boroughs and Long Beach and has done so since 1983.

Muraca will be the only non-cross endorsed judicial candidate, and the only one who is not already a judge, but he is hoping he is given a fair shake next to the other five candidates.

“I feel like the voters would be given the opportunity to choose candidates from both parties and not just a one party election,” he said. “I will be the kind of judge that will give everyone a fair opportunity and will abide by the U.S Constitution and the New York State Constitution.”

Pledges to give everyone a fair opportunity and to abide by the U.S. and New York State constitutions.

- Pledges to give everyone a fair opportunity and to abide by the U.S. and New York State constitutions.

As of September 9, 2026, Gary Muraca did not have a website or any information online.

Facebook

Gary Muraca

As of September 9, 2026, Gary Muraca’s website did not contain information on this issue.

The CUNY Law School graduate and recently elected Queens Civil Court judge brings over 20 years’ experience serving in criminal and civil courts across Queens and the Bronx. Raised by immigrant parents from Guyana, Phillips grew up in the Bronx and is a product of the New York City public school system.

Judge Oma Phillips

The CUNY Law School graduate and recently elected Queens Civil Court judge brings over 20 years’ experience serving in criminal and civil courts across Queens and the Bronx.

Oma D. Phillips grew up in the Bronx. She graduated from CUNY Law School.

Oma grew up in the Bronx. She graduated from CUNY Law School.

Your Vote Matters!

34 Years of legal experience in the courtroom
11 years as an Assistant District Attorney
15 years as a Court Attorney in Supreme Court
4 years as a Court Attorney in Family Court

Oma Phillips for Queens Civil Court Judge

Phillips said her father immigrated from Guyana in 1969, and, alongside her mother, worked multiple jobs to support their family and get their eight children an education. She began her legal career as an assistant district attorney for the Bronx DA’s office, but has also worked as an attorney for the Department of Correction and the U.S. Postal Service, as well as a court attorney in courthouses across Queens and Brooklyn.

Oma previously worked as an assistant district attorney with the Bronx District Attorney’s Office; as an attorney for the Department of Correction and the U.S. Postal Service; and as a court attorney in Supreme Court and Family Court.

For Judge of the Civil Court – Queens County, all three Democrat candidates, Sheridan Chu (24.04%), Indira Khan (22.06%) and Oma D. Phillips (21.20%), won over Republican candidates William David Shanahan (11.26%), Susan M. Silverman (11.27%) and Thomas D. Barra (10.01%).

2025 General Election Results

Phillips was elected to be a judge for Queens Civil Court last year, and has sat on the bench since January. “These experiences, across criminal, civil, and family matters, prepared me for the responsibility that accompanies this nomination,” Phillips said.

Oma currently serves as a judge on the Queens Civil Court. She was elected in 2025.

2025 General Election Results | The Rockaway Times

Oma D. Phillips currently serves as a judge on the Queens Civil Court. She was elected in 2025.

Worked as an attorney for the Department of Correction.

Worked as an attorney for the U.S. Postal Service.

Served 11 years as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx District Attorney's Office.

Served 15 years as a court attorney in Supreme Court.

Served four years as a court attorney in Family Court.

- Worked as an attorney for the Department of Correction.
- Worked as an attorney for the U.S. Postal Service.
- Served 11 years as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
- Served 15 years as a court attorney in Supreme Court.
- Served four years as a court attorney in Family Court.

Phillips was elected to be a judge for Queens Civil Court last year, and has sat on the bench since January. “These experiences, across criminal, civil, and family matters, prepared me for the responsibility that accompanies this nomination,” Phillips said. “Justice must be administered with both empathy and firmness, always grounded in fairness and the rule of law. This nomination is not only an honor, but a solemn calling, and that I approach with seriousness, humility, and commitment to serving the people of the State of New York.”

Said that justice must be administered with empathy and firmness, grounded in fairness and the rule of law.

- Said that justice must be administered with empathy and firmness, grounded in fairness and the rule of law.

As of September 9, 2026, Oma D. Phillips’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Oma D. Phillips

- Served 11 years as an assistant district attorney in the Bronx District Attorney's Office.
- Served 15 years as a court attorney in Supreme Court.
- Served four years as a court attorney in Family Court.

- 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. 

New York Supreme Court Judge, 11th District

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New York Supreme Court Judge, 11th District

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