H.E. Justice Carmen R. Velasquez

H.E. Justice Carmen R. Velasquez

She is a NY Supreme Court Justice and the Immediate Past President of the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York. Judge Carmen is recognized for her dedication to public service. She serves as a Supreme Court Justice in the 11th District of the State of New York and is the first Ecuadorian-American judge in the U.S. She previously served as a judge for the New York City Civil Court of Queens County. She is a founding member and past president of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County.

Her other leadership roles include NAWJ-NY Board Member, IAWJ International Committee’s Commissioner, US Chapter of the Pan American Commission of Judges on Social Justice, Vice-President of Supreme Court Justices for the City of NY, Founding Member-Advisory Board of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County, and Founder & CEO of Brigada de Esperanza NY. Judge Velasquez says, “It has not been easy for me, but I am grateful for the opportunity to attend school and get an education, and the opportunity to help others through my extensive pro bono work when I was a lawyer and now to preside in court with dignity and respect.”