The Judicial Evaluation Committee (JEC) of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA) convened recently to review the qualifications of the candidates running for seats on the New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County Court, and Rochester City Court.

The GRAWA JEC is a non-partisan group representing a cross-section of attorneys in the greater Rochester area.  The attorneys on the Committee come from a variety of political backgrounds, purposefully balanced, and work for a variety of public and private firms and agencies which practice in relevant courts. 

GRAWA's evaluation process includes reviewing a detailed questionnaire completed by the candidate, reviewing writing samples, conducting reference checks and holding an in depth interview with each candidate.  Evaluation criteria include experience, integrity, professional competence, judicial temperament, service to the law and contribution to the effective administration of justice and service to the community.  Evaluation criteria for a candidate currently sitting as a judge also include: preparation, attentiveness and control over judicial proceedings, judicial management skills, courtesy to litigants, counsel and court personnel, public disciplinary sanctions and quality of judicial opinions. 

Candidates who participate in the evaluation process are rated "exceptionally well qualified," "well qualified," "qualified," or "not qualified."  A rating of "commended" is also given to those candidates who have demonstrated outstanding sensitivity to issues of women, minorities, and bias.  Candidates who refuse to participate in the evaluation process are not recommended. 

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2024 Judicial Candidates - October 2024

Rochester City Court

Michael Geraci, Esq.                Well Qualified 

Lovely Warren, Esq.                 Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process 

PRESS RELEASES: 

GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Rochester City Court

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2023 Judicial Candidates

 New York State Supreme Court

Margot J. Garant, Esq.                 Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process 

Hon. Alex R. Renzi                        Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Joe Waldorf, Esq.                          Well Qualified 

Monroe County Family Court

Maroun Ajaka, Esq.                    Qualified

Hon. Maria Cubillos Reed          Well Qualified and Commended 

Hon. Dandrea Ruhlmann           Well Qualified

Kristine Demo-Vazquez, Esq.   Qualified (rated in 2022) 

Rochester City Court

Hon. Jack Elliott                         Exceptionally Well Qualified 

Hon. Constance Patterson       Qualified and Commended (appointed Oct. 2023)

Campbell Roth, Esq.                 Qualified 

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2022 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County

Maroun Ajaka, Ezq.                 Qualified

Hon. Jason L. Cook Not recommended due to failure to participate

Roman Misula, Esq. Well Qualified

Hon. James Vazzana Well Qualified

New York State Family Court, Monroe County Court

Hon. Deral Givens Exceptionally Well Qualified, Commended

Kristine Demo-Vazquez, Esq. Qualified

Rochester City Court

Jacquelyn Grippe Not recommended due to failure to participate

Hon. Latoya S. Lee Not recommended due to failure to participate

Hon. Van White Not recommended due to failure to participate

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2021 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County

Hon. James Walsh                  Not rated for a legitimate reason

Elena Cariola, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason

Deral Givens, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason

Maurice Verillo, Esq. Not recommended for failure to participate

Monroe County Court

Hon. Caroline Morrison Exceptionally Well Qualified

Judge Marty McCarthy Qualified

Hon. Douglas Randall Well Qualified

Julie Cianca, Esq. Exceptionally Well Qualified

Julie Hahn, Esq. Well Qualified

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2021 Judicial Candidates
New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County

Hon. James Walsh                  Not rated for a legitimate reason

Elena Cariola, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason

Deral Givens, Esq. Not rated for a legitimate reason

Maurice Verillo, Esq. Not recommended for failure to participate

Monroe County Court

Hon. Caroline Morrison Exceptionally Well Qualified

Judge Marty McCarthy Qualified

Hon. Douglas Randall Well Qualified

Julie Cianca, Esq. Exceptionally Well Qualified

Julie Hahn, Esq. Well Qualified

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2020 Judicial Candidates
Supreme Court, Monroe County

Julie Cianca, Esq.                  Well Qualified

William Gargan, Esq.           Well Qualified

Gino Nitti, Esq.                      Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Hon. Stephen Lindley           Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Hon. Vincent Dinolfo            Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Hon. Daniel Doyle                 Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Hon. Sam Valleriani              Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

MONROE COUNTY COURT

Meredith Vacca, Esq.            Qualified

Derek Harnsberger, Esq.      Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Monroe County Surrogate’s Court

Hon. Christopher Ciaccio      Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended

Elena Cariola, Esq.                  Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Rochester City Court

Hon. Teresa Johnson Not rated for a legitimate reason

PRESS RELEASES: 
GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Monroe County Court and Surrogate’s Court
GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - Supreme Court, Monroe County and Rochester City Court

GRAWA's Ratings for the 2019 Judicial Candidates

New York State Supreme Court

Meredith Vacca, Esq. Well Qualified

Hon. Matthew Rosenbaum Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Kevin Nasca, Esq.                   Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Monroe County Court

Karen Bailey Turner, Esq.      Well Qualified and Commended

Michael L. Dollinger, Esq.      Qualified

Hon. John DeMarco                Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Kyle Steinebach, Esq.             Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Rochester City Court

Nicole Morris, Esq.                 Well Qualified

Hon. Melissa Barrett              Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

GRAWA's Ratings for the 2018 Judicial Candidates

New York State Supreme Court

Hon. Christopher Ciaccio Exceptionally Well Qualified

Hon. Ann Marie Taddeo Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Hon. Victoria M. Argento Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Monroe County Family Court

Fatimat O. Reid, Esq. Qualified and Commended

Zuleika Z. Shepard, Esq. Qualified

Alecia J. Mazzo, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Nicole E. Bayly, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

Rochester City Court

Michael Lopez, Esq. Well Qualified and Commended

Gilberto R. Perez, Esq. Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2016 Judicial Candidates

NEW YORK STATE SUPREME COURT

Hon. Charles Schiano // Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

MONROE COUNTY COURT

Melissa Barrett, Esq. // Qualified
Matthew D. Nafus, Esq. // Well Qualified
Hon. Sam Valleriani // Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

MONROE COUNTY FAMILY COURT

Maritza C. Buitrago, Esq. //  Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
Stacy Romeo, Esq. //  Not recommended for refusal to participate in the evaluation process

ROCHESTER CITY COURT

Hon. Maija C. Dixon  //  Qualified

PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2016

GRAWA’s Ratings for the 2015 Judicial Candidates

New York State Supreme Court

Hon. Craig J. Doran // Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
Gary Muldoon, Esq. // Qualified
Matthew D. Nafus, Esq. // Well Qualified
Hon. James J. Piampiano // Qualified
Judith A. Sinclair, Esq. // Not Qualified
Hon. William K. Taylor // Qualified

Monroe County Family Court

Maritza C. Buitrago, Esq. //  Exceptionally Well Qualified and Commended
James A. Vazzana, Esq. //  Qualified

Rochester City Court

Hon. Stephen T. Miller  //  Well Qualified

PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2015

GRAWA's Ratings for the 2014 Judicial Candidates

Monroe County Surrogate’s Court (one seat)

Hon. John M. Owens // Highly Qualified

Rochester City Court (one seat)

Leticia Astacio, Esq. // Qualified
William Gargan, Esq. // Highly Qualified
Michael Lopez, Esq. // Qualified

PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2014

GRAWA's Ratings for the 2013 Judicial Candidates

Monroe County Family Court

Juan A. Nevarez, Esq. // Qualified
Hon. Dandrea L. Ruhlmann // Qualified and Commended
Nathan A. Van Loon, Esq. // Qualified
James E. Walsh, Jr., Esq. // Qualified

Monroe County Court

Christopher S. Ciaccio, Esq. // Qualified
Paul D. Irving, Esq. // Not Rated, Rated Qualified in 2011

Rochester City Court

Hon. John E. Elliott // Qualified
Caroline Elizabeth Edwards-Morrison, Esq. // Qualified

PRESS RELEASE: GRAWA JEC Judicial Evaluations - May 2013