Brooklyn’s judges attended in force to support Simpson. Of the dozens in attendance, Hon. Matthew J. D’Emic and Hon. Theresa Ciccotto made remarks. Other members of the legal community who spoke included Dean Kevin Deasy, of the University of Pittsburgh School of Law; Gerald L. Shargel; and Hon. Michelle A. Armstrong, supervising judge, Criminal Court, Queens County. Hon. L. Priscilla Hall gave remarks and performed at the induction ceremony.

“Judge Simpson has the temperament and determination, she has served as a law professor, an assistant district attorney, an assistant attorney general, a television legal commentator and analyst, and, since 2004, as a judge handling civil and criminal cases,” Hall said. “She is spectacularly prepared to assume her duties of office.”

Many of the speakers remarked how incredible it was to have a girl who grew up in the projects in East New York become a state Supreme Court justice and said that it made her uniquely qualified. Ciccotto, who worked with Simpson at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office together prior to joining the bench, said that it was her past experiences that made her who she is today.

“The true essence of our friend ShawnDya is her heart,” Ciccotto said. “Her heart is full of compassion, sensitivity, integrity and honor. It’s her heart that gives her the desire to right wrongs, repair lives and to give hope. It is also the heart of a lion, a champion, a warrior, a hero who fought long and hard in the face of adversity for what was and rightfully is hers.”

D’Emic added that one of her best qualities as a judge is her ability to handle pressure.

“Judge Simpson has heard some very high-profile cases that have garnered national attention,” D’Emic said. “High-profile cases mean high pressure, and yet this is a woman who handles all of these cases with humor, with grace and she is unflappable. Those are qualities that we have to appreciate.”

Former New York Knick and former classmate of Simpson’s at the University of Pittsburgh Charles Smith also spoke, as did her husband Jacob Walthour, two of her daughters and two of her nieces.

After everyone had given their remarks and the pomp and circumstance was over, Simpson took the podium and spoke about the sacrifices that her grandmothers made to get her to this point and what her mother went through raising her daughters in the projects. She also spoke about her duty to not forget where she came when on the bench.

“I believe it is my obligation and responsibility to be fair. As a judge it is not only about judging, but invoking justice, which is dignity for all, integrity for all. Given the current climate of distrust, I increasingly believe that more weight should be given to integrity than any other quality.” 

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