Judicial candidates answer questions at GRAWA event

The four candidates for New York Supreme Court, from left, are the Hon. William Taylor, Matthew Nafus, Deborah Indivino and the Hon. Craig Doran.

“What one thing would you like to accomplish/ do differently if elected?”

This was the opening question for the seven judicial candidates who participated in the Oct. 22 luncheon hosted by the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys.

The four candidates seeking election in the seventh Judicial District New York State Supreme Court and participating in the discussion included the Hon. Craig J. Doran, Deborah A. Indivino, Matthew D. Nafus, and the Hon. William K. Taylor. There are four open seats and additional candidates were invited to attend but declined to participate.

Monroe County Family Court candidates participating were Maritza C. Buitrago and James A. Vazzana, who are competing for one seat.

For one seat in Rochester City Court, the Hon. Stephen T. Miller was present.

The Hon. Robert J. Lunn and Hon. Anne E. Pfeiffer served as moderators for the event, asking several questions presented to the GRAWA Judicial Evaluation Committee in advance. Attendees were also given the opportunity to write down questions to be posed to the candidates during the event.

GRAWA President Jill Paperno spoke of the importance of getting to know the candidates, introducing JEC co-chairs Julie Hahn and Carol McKenna.

Other questions posed to the panel of candidates had to do with how they would select a law clerk and what judge(s) they might model themselves after.

In the course of answering these and other questions, each candidate had the opportunity to talk about their unique qualifications and specific accomplishments thus far in his/her careers.

– Photos by Nora A. Jones

GRAWA JEC Co-chair Julie Hahn at the podium, explains the program format. Seventh Judicial District Administrative Judge Craig Doran, candidate for NY Supreme Court, is at left.

The Hon. Robert J. Lunn and the Hon. Ann E. Pfeiffer served as moderators for the GRAWA Judicial Candidates Lunch.

This year’s co-chairs for the GRAWA Judicial Evaluation Committee are Carol McKenna and Julie Hahn.

The Hon. Stephen Miller, Rochester City Court candidate, talks with Matthew Nafus, State Supreme Court candidate.

Among the guests at the luncheon were Monroe County Bar Association President Neil J. Rowe (center) and GRAWA members Barbara Orenstein (left) and Joan Brimlow.

Monroe County Family Court candidates Maritza Buitrago and James Vazzana talked about their experience with family court matters.

About 90 people attended the Judicial Candidates Lunch, held in the Nixon Peabody LLP 14th floor conference room.

Matthew Nafus, candidate for NY Supreme Court, discusses an issue while fellow Supreme Court candidate Deborah Indivino listens.