Judge Susan Quirk sworn in at Appellate Court

December 27, 2016 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Hon. Susan Quirk being sworn in by Hon. Randall T. Eng, presiding justice of the Appellate Court, Second Department with her father Dennis Quirk and two daughters Annadoreen and Antonia Lanni looking on. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese

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Judge Susan Quirk, who was elected to the civil court bench in November, was officially installed as Brooklyn’s newest judge during a ceremony at the Appellate Court in Brooklyn Heights on Tuesday.

“I remember the day Susan Quirk got admitted to practice law here at the Appellate Division, Second Department, and it was one of her parents’ proudest days,” said Hon. A. Gail Prudenti. “To be here tonight, back at 45 Monroe Place, the home of the Appellate Division, and to see Susan Quirk become Judge Quirk, it does everyone’s hearts good.

“Dreams do come true in New York and the United States of America,” Prudenti continued. “She had good parents who supported her and she will have a long and distinguished career.”

Many different people spoke during the ceremony including Justice Prudenti, Hon. Randall T. Eng, the presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, who served as the master of ceremonies for the event. Former District Attorney Charles Hynes was also on hand to say a few words, as was Justice William Mastro, Brooklyn Bar Association President Hon. Frank Seddio and Assemblymember Maritza Davila.

“Many people interviewed for that spot, but she came across so elegantly, so humble and so honest that I felt that she was the type of person that we need for the bench,” Davila said.

Quirk is a former assistant district attorney in Brooklyn and her father, Dennis Quirk, has served as president of the New York State Court Officers Association for approximately 40 years. Many of the speakers noted how this leaves her especially prepared to handle the position.

“She’s a product of the judicial environment,” Seddio said. “Her father has been involved all of these years, she worked in the court system. She comes to us with experience that really makes her an unusual candidate. She has quality, she has integrity, and best of all she is a person who is socially equipped to be a judge. Common sense and good judgement combined with compassion and understanding makes her the kind of judge that we need.”

Justice Mastro explained how her humility is perhaps her best asset that properly equips her for the bench.

“It’s important for a judge to have humility in the presence of the great and important power that they are going to administer,” Mastro said. “Sometimes judges forget how important this is. When a judge takes the bench, they are the personification of the legal system. It’s important to keep in mind and respect that power.

“Sometimes it gets lost in the day to day craziness of the courtroom, but you always have to remember that you represent an office with great power that was given to you by the people,” Mastro continued. “She’s tremendous and I think that she’s going to be a great judge.”

When she was finally sworn in by Justice Eng, Quirk was joined by her two daughters, Annadoreen and Antonia Lanni, and her father as she took the oath of office.

“I sought to become a judge because of my wish to contribute to the administration of justice so while this day is one of the most important days in my life, I hope that it ultimately becomes a day that is considered significant by members of the bench and bar as well,” Quirk said after being sworn in.

“Any success that I have achieved is largely attributable to the guidance and support provided by my parents,” she continued. “Both instilled in me a belief that with hard work, dedication and education, anything was possible. I express my deep appreciation for your confidence in me that will now grant me the opportunity to serve and with which I enter on the duties of judge of the Civil Court.”