The Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA) convened recently to review the qualifications of the candidates running for seats on the New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County Court, and Rochester City Court.
The GRAWA JEC is a non-partisan group representing a cross-section of attorneys in the greater Rochester area. The attorneys on the Committee come from a variety of political backgrounds, purposefully balanced, and work for a variety of public and private firms and agencies which practice in relevant courts.
GRAWA's evaluation process includes reviewing a detailed questionnaire completed by the candidate, reviewing writing samples, conducting reference checks and holding an in depth interview with each candidate. Evaluation criteria include experience, integrity, professional competence, judicial temperament, service to the law and contribution to the effective administration of justice and service to the community. Evaluation criteria for a candidate currently sitting as a judge also include: preparation, attentiveness and control over judicial proceedings, judicial management skills, courtesy to litigants, counsel and court personnel, public disciplinary sanctions and quality of judicial opinions.
Candidates who participate in the evaluation process are rated "exceptionally well qualified," "well qualified," "qualified," or "not qualified." A rating of "commended" is also given to those candidates who have demonstrated outstanding sensitivity to issues of women, minorities, and bias. Candidates who refuse to participate in the evaluation process are not recommended.
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2024 Judicial Candidates
Rochester City Court
Michael Geraci, Esq. Well Qualified
Lovely Warren, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
PRESS RELEASES:
GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Rochester City Court
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2023 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court
Margot J. Garant, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Hon. Alex R. Renzi Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Joe Waldorf, Esq. Well Qualified
Monroe County Family Court
Maroun Ajaka, Esq. Qualified
Hon. Maria Cubillos Reed Well Qualified and Commended
Hon. Dandrea Ruhlmann Well Qualified
Kristine Demo-Vazquez, Esq. Qualified (rated in 2022)
Rochester City Court
Hon. Jack Elliott Exceptionally Well Qualified
Hon. Constance Patterson Qualified and Commended (appointed Oct. 2023)
Campbell Roth, Esq. Qualified
GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Monroe County Family Court and Rochester City Court
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2022 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County
Maroun Ajaka, Ezq. Qualified
Hon. Jason L. Cook Not recommended due to failure to participate
Roman Misula, Esq. Well Qualified
Hon. James Vazzana Well Qualified
New York State Family Court, Monroe County Court
Hon. Deral Givens Exceptionally Well Qualified, Commended
Kristine Demo-Vazquez, Esq. Qualified
Rochester City Court
Jacquelyn Grippe Not recommended due to failure to participate
Hon. Latoya S. Lee Not recommended due to failure to participate
Hon. Van White Not recommended due to failure to participate
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2021 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County
Hon. James Walsh Not rated for a legitimate reason
Elena Cariola, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason
Deral Givens, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason
Maurice Verillo, Esq. Not recommended for failure to participate
Monroe County Court
Hon. Caroline Morrison Exceptionally Well Qualified
Judge Marty McCarthy Qualified
Hon. Douglas Randall Well Qualified
Julie Cianca, Esq. Exceptionally Well Qualified
Julie Hahn, Esq. Well Qualified
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2021 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County
Hon. James Walsh Not rated for a legitimate reason
Elena Cariola, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason
Deral Givens, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason
Maurice Verillo, Esq. Not recommended for failure to participate
Monroe County Court
Hon. Caroline Morrison Exceptionally Well Qualified
Judge Marty McCarthy Qualified
Hon. Douglas Randall Well Qualified
Julie Cianca, Esq. Exceptionally Well Qualified
Julie Hahn, Esq. Well Qualified
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2020 Judicial Candidates
Supreme Court, Monroe County
Julie Cianca, Esq. Well Qualified
William Gargan, Esq. Well Qualified
Gino Nitti, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Hon. Stephen Lindley Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Hon. Vincent Dinolfo Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Hon. Daniel Doyle Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Hon. Sam Valleriani Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
MONROE COUNTY COURT
Meredith Vacca, Esq. Qualified
Derek Harnsberger, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Monroe County Surrogate’s Court
Hon. Christopher Ciaccio Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
Elena Cariola, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Rochester City Court
Hon. Teresa Johnson Not rated for a legitimate reason
PRESS RELEASES:
GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Monroe County Court and Surrogate’s Court
GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Supreme Court, Monroe County and Rochester City Court
GRAWA's Ratings for the 2019 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court
Meredith Vacca, Esq. Well Qualified
Hon. Matthew Rosenbaum Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Kevin Nasca, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Monroe County Court
Karen Bailey Turner, Esq. Well Qualified and Commended
Michael L. Dollinger, Esq. Qualified
Hon. John DeMarco Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Kyle Steinebach, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Rochester City Court
Nicole Morris, Esq. Well Qualified
Hon. Melissa Barrett Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
GRAWA's Ratings for the 2018 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court
Hon. Christopher Ciaccio Exceptionally Well Qualified
Hon. Ann Marie Taddeo Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Hon. Victoria M. Argento Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Monroe County Family Court
Fatimat O. Reid, Esq. Qualified and Commended
Zuleika Z. Shepard, Esq. Qualified
Alecia J. Mazzo, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Nicole E. Bayly, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
Rochester City Court
Michael Lopez, Esq. Well Qualified and Commended
Gilberto R. Perez, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2016 Judicial Candidates
NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT
Hon. Charles Schiano // Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
MONROE COUNTY COURT
Melissa Barrett, Esq. // Qualified
Matthew D. Nafus, Esq. // Well Qualified
Hon. Sam Valleriani // Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
MONROE COUNTY FAMILY COURT
Maritza C. Buitrago, Esq. // Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
Stacy Romeo, Esq. // Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process
ROCHESTER CITY COURT
Hon. Maija C. Dixon // Qualified
PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2016
GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2015 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court
Hon. Craig J. Doran // Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
Gary Muldoon, Esq. // Qualified
Matthew D. Nafus, Esq. // Well Qualified
Hon. James J. Piampiano // Qualified
Judith A. Sinclair, Esq. // Not Qualified
Hon. William K. Taylor // Qualified
Monroe County Family Court
Maritza C. Buitrago, Esq. // Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
James A. Vazzana, Esq. // Qualified
Rochester City Court
Hon. Stephen T. Miller // Well Qualified
PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2015
GRAWA's Ratings for the 2014 Judicial Candidates
Monroe County Surrogate’s Court (one seat)
Hon. John M. Owens // Highly Qualified
Rochester City Court (one seat)
Leticia Astacio, Esq. // Qualified
William Gargan, Esq. // Highly Qualified
Michael Lopez, Esq. // Qualified
PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2014
GRAWA's Ratings for the 2013 Judicial Candidates
Monroe County Family Court
Juan A. Nevarez, Esq. // Qualified
Hon. Dandrea L. Ruhlmann // Qualified and Commended
Nathan A. Van Loon, Esq. // Qualified
James E. Walsh, Jr., Esq. // Qualified
Monroe County Court
Christopher S. Ciaccio, Esq. // Qualified
Paul D. Irving, Esq. // Not Rated, Rated Qualified in 2011
Rochester City Court
Hon. John E. Elliott // Qualified
Caroline Elizabeth Edwards-Morrison, Esq. // Qualified
PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2013