Kings County Supreme Court Justice Katherine A. Levine lives in a full house. It includes her husband, family therapist Dr. Monty Weinstein; her two daughters — college student Sophia, and Moira, who will enter La Guardia High School for the Performing Arts in the fall; and a veritable menagerie of four-legged friends: two rescue dogs, three rescue cats, and two turtles.
This Woman of Distinction proudly calls herself “a devoted mom and wife,” but her home life is only half of her story. The other half is her life at the courthouse, where each year, Levine presides over thousands of motions, as well as jury and non-jury trials regarding defamation, contracts, labor, torts, and many more legal matters.
Levine graduated from Hunter College High School, then Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations, then the University of Maryland School of Law. As devoted as she is to her family, she’s equally devoted to her work.
“Imparting justice in a thoughtful and equitable manner. I enjoy sparring with attorneys to get to the actual legal and factual points of their cases and also enjoy writing decisions on novel and important issues of law. I am in constant awe of the power vested in Supreme Court justices to rule upon issues that have an important impact upon the citizens of this borough.”
Even before ascending to the bench, Levine achieved milestones as an attorney, one of which was representing the Yonkers Federation of Teachers during the remedy phase of the famous Yonkers school desegregation case.
In the same way Levine has a deep love for family, furry friends, and the legal profession, she also has a deep affection for the borough of Brooklyn.
“My grandfather would walk me home from school and we would have egg creams and salted pretzels every day,” the judge remembers. These days, she adds, “Michael’s [Restaurant] is our home away from home. We have celebrated almost every family occasion there and I have met many of my friends from politics at the restaurant.”
As if family and her career as a jurist weren’t enough, Levine has served on the board of directors of the Kings Bay YM-YWHA and on the regional board of the Anti-Defamation League, and is active in her synagogue and on the School Leadership Team of PS 215.
With all of Levine’s accomplishments, including both professional and personal, it is not hard to imagine that people will remember her the way she wishes to be remembered: “A fair and compassionate jurist; a loyal friend; and a giving, loving and honest mother and wife. I also want my friends to remember the part of me that loves to dance and laugh and be ironic,” adds Levine jokingly.
NEIGHBORHOOD: Madison.
OCCUPATION: Justice of the Supreme Court.
COMPANY: State of New York, Kings County Supreme Court.
CLAIM TO FAME: Became Justice of Supreme Court after many years of running for the position. Developed expertise in First Amendment and academic freedom while working as an attorney for the New York State United Teachers. Also, I am a dedicated mother of two daughters, and wife of Dr. Monty Weinstein.
FAVORITE BROOKLYN PLACE: Michael’s of Brooklyn; Marco Polo Ristorante in Carroll Gardens, and Verandah Park in Cobble Hill.
WOMAN I ADMIRE: Meryl Streep for being a brilliant actress and taking chances in her roles while also being a political activist.
MOTTO: It is what it is.
