Verley Brown makes bid for Surrogate Court judgeship
BY ETHAN STARK-MILLER
An accomplished LGBTQ
attorney with expertise
in trusts and estates in
throwing his robe in the ring
for the upcoming open bench
on the Manhattan Surrogate
Court.
Verley Brown announced
his candidacy to succeed incumbent
Judge Nora Anderson,
who cannot run for reelection
this year as she has
reached the 70-year-old age
restriction.
The Surrogate’s Court
hears cases involving the affairs
of decedents, including
the probate of wills and those
who die without wills, trusts,
estates, guardianships and
related real estate matters. It
also handles adoptions. Manhattan
has two Surrogate
Judges, Anderson and Rita
Mella.
“I am excited to announce
that I am running for Surrogate
of the New York County
Surrogate’s Court. As a Jamaican
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born, former Marine, LGBTQ
father of three children
(a son and two daughters), I
bring a diverse background
and perspective to the judiciary.”
said Verley in a letter
to supporters.
Brown received his Bachelor
Degree in Legal Studies
from John Jay College of
Criminal Justice, before receiving
his J.D. at Brooklyn
Law School, and was admitted
to the New York Bar in
2009.
Brown has been a practicing
attorney for over 13 years,
all of which have been focused
in the area of Trusts & Estates.
This includes stints at the law
fi rm of Cullen and Dykman,
LLP for six years; McLaughlin
& Stern, LLP and his current
fi rm Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein
& Breitstone, LLP, where
since 2021 he is part of the
fi rm’s Trusts & Estates Litigation
practice group.
Prior to attending law
school, Brown worked as
a Senior Surrogate’s Court
Clerk. Here he reviewed all
accounting and miscellaneous
proceedings for compliance
with Estates, Powers
and Trusts Law, Surrogate’s
Court Procedure Act and
Surrogate’s Court Rules,
relating to wrongful death
compromises, supplemental
needs trusts, fi duciary
accountings, and all other
miscellaneous proceedings.
“I have lived in Harlem,
Washington Heights, Chelsea
and now live in Hell’s Kitchen,
which has further broadened
my appreciation for the diversity
of New York City and the
need for representation of that
diversity in the city’s court
system,” said Brown.
“I believe that I am the
best-qualifi ed candidate for
the role of Surrogate of the
New York County Surrogate’s
Court,” Brown added.
POLITICS
FILE PHOTO
Verley Brown is running for a Surrogate Court seat.
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12 February 24, 2022 Schneps Media
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