Judge Levine sworn in as justice of Kings County Supreme Court

January 10, 2017 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Judge Kathy Levine was officially sworn into the Kings County Supreme Court during a ceremony at Borough Hall. Pictured from left: Hon. Frank Seddio, Hon. Lawrence Knipel, Hon. Kathy Levine and Jacob Gold. Eagle photos by Rob Abruzzese

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Judge Katherine Anne Levine was officially sworn in as justice of the Kings County Supreme Court during a ceremony in front of more than 100 of her friends, family members and colleagues at Borough Hall on Thursday night.

“We’re blessed with a wonderfully competent woman who is filling a very important position,” said Hon. Frank Seddio, chairman of the Kings County Democratic Party and President of the Brooklyn Bar Association.

“I am proud to say that the 41 other district leaders in Brooklyn has the same concern: We want to select somebody to represent Kings County. Qualification must be the first and the highest concern that we have, and I am proud to say that unanimously all 42 of us supported the selection of Judge Levine,” Seddio continued.

Justice Levine was officially sworn into office by Hon. Lawrence Knipel, administrative judge for Civil Matters in the Second Judicial District, and Jacob Gold, district leader in the 44th Assembly District, served as the master of ceremonies.

“Tonight we welcome Justice Katherine Levine as a colleague on the bench in the NYS Supreme Court,” said Justice Knipel. “In her prior career and for 9 years as a judge of the Civil Court, Justice Levine has demonstrated that she is more than capable of meeting the expectation which a modern society places on its judiciary.”

Many people gave brief speeches during the ceremony including her brother Andrew Levine, son-in-law Sean Zausner and her daughters Moira and Sophia Weinstein. Many local politicians were also involved as Borough President Eric Adams and Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte each presented her with a proclamation, and Assemblymembers Walter T. Moseley III and Dov Hikind also spoke.

“When you think of Judge Katherine Levine, she’s not only a go-getter, she’s not only tough, but she’s nurturing,” said Assemblymember Bichotte. “Look at her beautiful family. She is a committed mom, a dedicated wife and she exemplifies what all women can be: great at their jobs and the best at home.”

Other speakers included Rabbi Joseph Potasnik, Rabbi Seth Wax, President of the Brooklyn Bar Association Hon. Frank Seddio, Domenick Napoletano, Paul Edelstein, Lawrence H. Singer, James Conigliaro, Olanike Alabi, Robin Garfinkle. Father Anthony Cardone gave the benediction.

Following the many speeches, Justice Levine’s daughter presented her with a new pair of earrings, her husband Dr. Monty N. Weinstein officially put on her new robe and Justice Knipel finished the ceremony. Justice Levine then addressed the crowd. She thanked everyone who helped her during her campaign and specifically called out those in the room. She saved her biggest thanks for two people not in the room: her parents, whom she said got her politically involved from a young age.

“My parents filled me with a true understanding of what the words fairness, justice and equality meant,” Justice Levine said. “My parents were scarred from the McCarthy era and showed me that these words don’t necessarily come as a birthright for us all to enjoy, but as something that needs to be actively guarded and protected by those of us who enjoy those rewards.”