Patel was born in the North Western region of India but was raised in New York, moving to Woodside, Queens, when she was 5 years old and ultimately to Manhattan’s Upper East Side some years later.

Hon. Hemalee Patel Inducted as NY Civil Court Judge

She is a graduate of New York University and Brooklyn Law School and a member of numerous bar associations, including the South Asian Bar Association of New York, Bay Ridge Lawyers and Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, of which she is a former president.

She later started her career as a private practitioner specializing in matrimonial and family law.

Patel currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Unmesh Kher, and their children.

Hemalee J. Patel was born in northwestern India and raised in New York. She graduated from New York University and Brooklyn Law School. She is married to Unmesh Kher, and they have children.

Hon. Hemalee Patel inducted as NY Civil Court judge - Brooklyn Eagle

She was previously the general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections from 2021 to 2024. Prior to joining the board, Patel was a court attorney-referee for civil and matrimonial matters for the Supreme Court of Richmond County.

Prior to joining the board, Patel was a court attorney-referee for civil and matrimonial matters for the Supreme Court of Richmond County. From 2001 to 2011, she served as a principal law clerk to two matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

From 2001 to 2011, she served as a principal law clerk to two matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan. She later started her career as a private practitioner specializing in matrimonial and family law.

Hemalee previously worked as general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections. She also worked as a court attorney-referee for civil and matrimonial matters for the Supreme Court of Richmond County, served as a principal law clerk to two matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and worked as a private practitioner specializing in matrimonial and family law.

Hemalee Patel, General Counsel at the NYC Board of Elections and an active member of the Brooklyn Bar Association, won the only contested election. Patel secured her seat as a Civil Court judge with 58,799 votes, defeating Benjamin Lieberman, who received 40,084 votes. Jacob Zelmanovitz was also elected as a Civil Court judge in the 5th District, receiving 83,748 votes.

Election Brings Fresh Slate of Judges to Brooklyn

Patel previously ran unsuccessfully for the seat of civil court judge in 2017, seeking to become Brooklyn’s first elected judge of South Asian descent at the time. Running from the 6th Municipal District, she was endorsed then by politicians and clubs, including Council Member Brad Lander and the Independent Neighborhood Democrats.

Hemalee Patel Runs for the Seat of the Civil Court Judge from Brooklyn

Hemalee was elected as a Civil Court judge. She previously ran unsuccessfully for Civil Court judge in 2017.

Hemalee Patel runs for the seat of the Civil Court Judge from Brooklyn - News India Times

2026 New York General Election

If you have not been active in the court room, please provide information about your experience that is relevant to the position of judge of the civil court. Please use this space to tell us more about how your legal experience would inform your work as judge.

Please use this space to tell us more about how your legal experience would inform your work as judge.

I am currently a Court Attorney-Referee in Richmond County Supreme Court, where I conduct trials and hearings on financial issues in matrimonial matters, including equitable distribution, child support and maintenance. My duties include issuing decisions or reports in a timely manner, supervising discovery and deciding motions, including post-judgment applications. I am also responsible for the management and administration of my own calendar and part, and have gained valuable experience in the logistics of scheduling and conducting trials. Further, I have become very familiar with administrative requirements and court computer systems.

Hemalee J. Patel | Civic Juice

I am currently a Court Attorney-Referee in Richmond County Supreme Court, where I conduct trials and hearings on financial issues in matrimonial matters, including equitable distribution, child support and maintenance. My duties include issuing decisions or reports in a timely manner, supervising discovery and deciding motions, including post-judgment applications. I am also responsible for the management and administration of my own calendar and part, and have gained valuable experience in the logistics of scheduling and conducting trials. Further, I have become very familiar with administrative requirements and court computer systems.

As a Court Attorney-Referee in Richmond County Supreme Court, conducted trials and hearings on financial issues in divorce cases, including property division, child support, and maintenance.

Served as general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections from 2021 to 2024.

Served as a Court Attorney-Referee for civil and divorce matters in Richmond County Supreme Court.

Served as a principal law clerk to two matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan from 2001 to 2011.

Practiced privately in matrimonial and family law.

- As a Court Attorney-Referee in Richmond County Supreme Court, conducted trials and hearings on financial issues in divorce cases, including property division, child support, and maintenance.
- Served as general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections from 2021 to 2024.
- Served as a Court Attorney-Referee for civil and divorce matters in Richmond County Supreme Court.
- Served as a principal law clerk to two matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan from 2001 to 2011.
- Practiced privately in matrimonial and family law.

Legal Experience

What is your judicial philosophy? How would your philosophy impact your decisions as a judge?
I believe that laws are universal, but they must be applied to each particular case, because each case has unique circumstances. I believe that judges interpret the law, determining its meaning and sometimes the intent of those who wrote it.

What are your views on the use of judicial discretion and of judicial restraint?
I believe it is the court's obligation to uphold the law however, I recognize the law should be a living, changing thing to reflect our times and the needs of society. Judges must not be afraid to make decisions to push for needed change.

If you are currently or have been a judge: please tell us about your process for making judgments.
Not sure how to answer. A judge is required to listen to the sworn testimony and consider relevant evidence and apply the law to the facts of each case in a fair and impartial way.

Hemalee J. Patel

“The quality of our lives is directly and deeply influenced by those who serve the public and I consider myself privileged to be a civil servant—and try always to be one in the truest sense. This means, to my mind, that I must not only do my best, but convey that intention by being at all times honest, fair and courteous to the parties and attorneys who appear before me,” said Patel. “Beyond that, I believe that the quality of my work and persona must inspire confidence in our judicial system and address the needs and requirements of both the litigants and the court.”

Hemalee J. Patel Seeks to Become Brooklyn's First South Asian Judge

Believes judges should apply universal laws to each case's unique circumstances and interpret their meaning and, at times, legislative intent.

Believes courts must uphold the law while recognizing it should evolve with society, and judges should make decisions that advance needed change.

Said judges should hear sworn testimony, consider relevant evidence, and apply the law fairly and impartially to the facts of each case.

Said judicial service requires being honest, fair, and courteous to parties and attorneys and inspiring confidence in the court system.

- Believes judges should apply universal laws to each case's unique circumstances and interpret their meaning and, at times, legislative intent.
- Believes courts must uphold the law while recognizing it should evolve with society, and judges should make decisions that advance needed change.
- Said judges should hear sworn testimony, consider relevant evidence, and apply the law fairly and impartially to the facts of each case.
- Said judicial service requires being honest, fair, and courteous to parties and attorneys and inspiring confidence in the court system.

Judicial Philosophy

How will you work with pro se (self-represented) clients appearing in court?
I have many years of experience with self-represented litigants. I have no issues working with them - I know to give them extra time and explain the process and allow them to question and present their side.

How would you seek to improve the justice system via your position as a civil court judge? What legislative or administrative changes would you advance?
Policy would be outside my duties and responsibilities however I would ensure my courtroom is run in an efficient and inclusive manner, serving the needs of the court and the litigants.

I strive at all times to conduct my work in a serious, patient and thoughtful manner. All litigants are, of course, entitled to have their day in court and I know it is important, especially in Matrimonial actions, that the court have access to all vital and competent evidence available, so that a reasoned and fair result may be reached. Nevertheless, I recognize that the parties are often better served by a settlement of the very personal and sensitive issues in divorces, as this can save them the considerable financial and emotional costs of litigation.

In working with attorneys, I always keep in mind and respect the calendar management issues faced by those in small or solo matrimonial practices in Richmond and Kings County. I also have accumulated extensive experience with self-represented litigants.

Plans to give self-represented litigants extra time, explain court procedures, and allow them to ask questions and present their side.

Plans to run an efficient and inclusive courtroom that serves the needs of litigants and the court.

Believes settlements can better serve parties in divorce cases by reducing the financial and emotional costs of litigation.

Said she considers calendar-management challenges facing attorneys in small or solo divorce practices in Richmond and Kings counties.

- Plans to give self-represented litigants extra time, explain court procedures, and allow them to ask questions and present their side.
- Plans to run an efficient and inclusive courtroom that serves the needs of litigants and the court.
- Believes settlements can better serve parties in divorce cases by reducing the financial and emotional costs of litigation.
- Said she considers calendar-management challenges facing attorneys in small or solo divorce practices in Richmond and Kings counties.

Judicial Administration

As of September 9, 2026, Hemalee J. Patel did not have a website or any information online.

Ethics & Conduct

Community Affiliations and Membership


Girl Scout Troop Leader; Co-Chair of Give Back Committee at Brooklyn School of Inquiry PTO; former member of Community Board 2 and chair of Transportation and Public Safety Committee (Brooklyn); former volunteer and board member of Sakhi for South Asian Women; former board member Center for Anti-Violence Education; mentor through Brooklyn Law School Alumni Assoc;

Co-chairs the Give Back Committee at Brooklyn School of Inquiry Parent-Teacher Organization.

Served on Brooklyn Community Board 2 and chaired its Transportation and Public Safety Committee.

Volunteered with and served on the board of Sakhi for South Asian Women.

Served on the board of the Center for Anti-Violence Education.

- Serves as a Girl Scout troop leader.
- Co-chairs the Give Back Committee at Brooklyn School of Inquiry Parent-Teacher Organization.
- Served on Brooklyn Community Board 2 and chaired its Transportation and Public Safety Committee.
- Volunteered with and served on the board of Sakhi for South Asian Women.
- Served on the board of the Center for Anti-Violence Education.

Community Involvement

LinkedIn

Hemalee J. Patel

As of September 9, 2026, Hemalee J. Patel’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Hon. Hemalee Patel inducted as NY Civil Court Judge

Patel currently lives in Brooklyn with her husband, Unmesh Kher, and their children.

Hemalee most recently served as general counsel for the New York City Board of Elections. She previously worked as a court attorney-referee for civil and matrimonial matters in the Supreme Court of Richmond County, as a principal law clerk to matrimonial judges in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and in private practice specializing in matrimonial and family law.

Brooklyn voters selected 17 judges on Tuesday, officially filling key positions across the borough’s courts. The newly elected judges include Hemalee Patel and Jacob Zelmanovitz, Civil Court, 5th District; Janice Robinson and Norma Jennings, Civil Court, 6th District; and countywide Civil Court Judges Alexis Riley, Turquoise Haskin, Tehilah Berman, Tawanna St. Louis, Abayomi Whint and Mark Kagan.

Election brings fresh slate of judges to Brooklyn

This victory marks a significant milestone for Patel, who previously ran for office in 2017 but lost in the primary to Elena Baron. A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Patel has more than two decades of legal experience, including roles as a principal law clerk and special referee for the New York State Unified Court System.

As a Court Attorney-Referee in Richmond County Supreme Court, conducted matrimonial financial hearings and ruled on related motions and applications filed after judgment.

Believes judges should apply universal laws to the circumstances of each case and interpret their meaning, including lawmakers' intent when relevant.

Believes courts must uphold the law while recognizing that it should evolve with society, and that judges should make decisions to bring about needed change.

Said judges should consider sworn testimony and relevant evidence, then apply the law to the facts of the case fairly and impartially.

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- 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. 