Hemalee J. Patel's Legal Experience

Year Admitted to the NYS Bar
1992
 
Admittance to other jurisdictions, including all federal and state courts and the dates of admission

New Jersey, 1992
Supreme Court of the United States, 1998

 
Recent, relevant Continuing Legal Education (CLE) coursework

2017 Courses
• The Preliminary Conference Order (May 4, 2017)
• Sentencing Update (March 9, 2017)
• CPLR 101 (2017), Part 2 (February 14, 2017)
• CPLR 101 (2017), Part 1 (February 7, 2017)

2016 Courses
• Jury Charges in Civil Cases (November 17, 2016)
• Rosario Violations and Responses (September 20, 2016)
• 2016 Matrimonial Seminars: Ethics in Matrimonial Cases; Maintenance Guidelines; Evidence; Valuation; Legal Update; Basic Taxation; Same Sex Marriage and Custodial/Access Rights; Use of Forensics (March 9 & 10, 2016)
• 2016 Court Attorney Referee Seminars: Conducting the Trial - Parts 1 & 2; The Art of Judging and Controlling Unruly Litigants; Implicit Bias; Settlement Techniques; Evidence Challenge (March 2 & 3, 2016)
• Everything you Need to Know About the New Maintenance Statute (February 3, 2016)
• Ethics for the Practicing Lawyer (January 27, 2016)
• New Maintenance Guidelines & Child Support Calculators for Supreme Court (Lecturer) (January 25, 2016)

 
Please provide any information about published works in legal journals or books that demonstrate your legal knowledge and abilities.

N/A

 
If you are currently a practicing attorney: how many cases have you tried to conclusion in court or via settlement in the last 5 years?

 
If you have brought forward cases in Civil Court: what kinds of cases have you brought? (eg personal injury, landlord/tenant, etc.)

 
If you are currently a judge or have been a judge: what kinds of cases have you most recently heard? (eg personal injury, landlord/tenant, etc.)

 
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.

 
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.

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.
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.

As an immigrant South Asian woman I have an unique perspective that, along with my background, experience and proven ability in performing the duties and responsibilities of a Court Attorney-Referee, prepares me to undertake a career as a judge.