Brooklyn’s new Surrogate’s Court Judge, Harriet Thompson, celebrated the start of her term with peers and politicos during her official swearing-in ceremony at Kings County Supreme Court on Jan. 24.
Voters elected Thompson to the Surrogate’s Court bench last November, and she succeeds Judge Diana Johnson, who recently retired from the post overseeing cases that include matters involving wills, estates, and adoptions.
Thompson brings a trove of experience to her new appointment. She ran her eponymous Fort Greene–based law firm, Harriet Thompson and Associates, LLP, for years before being elected to the Kings County Civil Court bench in 2010. The judge is also a member of both the Brooklyn Bar Association and Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association, as well as a former treasurer for the Kings County Housing Court Bar Association. Former Treasurer, Kings County Housing Court Bar Association.
Justice Harriet L. Thompson enters the courtroom to a standing ovation.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
From left, Justice Diana Johnson, Brooklyn Democratic Party boss Frank Seddio, Justice Harriet L. Thompson, and Justice Priscilla Hall recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte speaks during the ceremony.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
Justice Harriet L. Thompson recites the ceremonial oath.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
Photos by Caroline Ourso
Justice Lawrence Knipel and Justice David Vaughan flash smiles.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
Justice Sylvia G. Ash congratulates Justice Harriet L. Thompson after the ceremony.
Photo by Victoria Schneps-Yunis
Left, Borough President Adams’ senior advisor, Ingrid Lewis-Martin, presents Justice Harriet L. Thompson with a citation from the office of the Borough President.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
From left, Court Attorney Olufunmilola Oquntude-Waterman and Executive Secretary to Judge Larry Knipel, Mary Griffith.
Photos by Caroline Ourso
From left, Justice Connie Melendez and Justice Rosemarie Montalbano pose together.
Photo by Victoria Schneps-Yunis
From left, Justice Genine Edwards, Justice Sylvia G. Ash, Justice Rosemarie Montalbano, Justice Carolyn Walker-Diallo, and Justice Lorna McAlister celebrate.
