Acting Supreme Court Justice and Family Court Judge in Kings County (Brooklyn), Jacqueline Williams, and lawyer Chide Eze are vying for seats on the Kings County Supreme Court and Civil Court, respectively.
After nearly 25 years on the bench and in public service, Judge Williams told Caribbean Life that she has learned that “justice is most meaningful when people feel seen, heard, and treated with dignity.
“That belief has guided me through every phase of my career — from my early years as a principal court attorney, to my time on the Civil and Family Court benches, and now as an Acting Supreme Court Justice,” added Judge Williams, who was raised in Brooklyn – of Panamanian heritage – where she said her values were shaped, and where she said she has devoted her life to public service.
“My work has always been about ensuring that our courts remain places of fairness, compassion, and integrity,” she continued. “I have presided over cases that impact families, children, and entire communities — always with the understanding that behind every file and docket number is a human story that deserves care and respect.”
Throughout her career, Judge Williams said she has seen “how a fair and patient approach can change lives — helping families find stability, guiding young people toward better paths, and ensuring that justice is delivered without prejudice or favor.
“That is the kind of judge I strive to be every day,” she said.
As she continues her campaign for Kings County Supreme Court, Judge Williams said she remains committed to building trust in the legal system and ensuring that justice in Brooklyn is “not only done but deeply felt by the people who depend on it.”
She said her central campaign planks include equal access to justice, fairness, accountability, and compassion in family court, community engagement and education, diversity and representation in the judiciary, and restoring public trust in the legal system.
“Through transparency, integrity, and compassion, I will work to ensure that our courts remain a place where the people of Brooklyn feel heard, respected, and confident that justice is being served,” said Judge Williams, stating that she has dedicated nearly 25 years to serving the residents of Brooklyn with “distinction, fairness, and compassion.”
Born on March Air Force base in California, while her father served in Vietnam, Judge Williams said she was raised in Brooklyn after her family returned to be closer to their Panamanian relatives.
Although her academic and professional journey has taken her to various parts of the country, she said she has always returned to the Brooklyn community she proudly calls home.
Judge Williams is recognized as an analytical and dedicated jurist with years of trial experience spanning jury and bench trials.
She is renowned for her excellent legal writing and verbal communication skills and is highly oriented toward effective case management, resolution, and negotiation.
Judge Williams said her judicial temperament, fairness, and deep understanding of legal principles guide her in promoting justice and the credibility of the legal system.
Judge Williams attended Bishop Kearney High School in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn; earned her Bachelor of Arts in history from Yale University, with a focus on Caribbean and Latin American Affairs; and obtained her Juris Doctorate (law degree) from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law in May 1988.
At Berkeley School of Law, Judge Williams said she served as an African American Law Journal editor.
Later, she said she broadened her academic pursuits by earning a master’s degree in hospitality management from Cornell University in May 1997.
Judge Williams said she began her legal career in structured litigation environments, where she gained substantive trial experience and developed strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
She said her first legal experiences provided significant exposure to diverse aspects of legal practice and honed essential underlying skills, such as legal analysis, organizing decisions on motions, and writing clarity and effective communication.
Judge Williams said she began working with Hon. Bernadette Bayne as a principal court attorney and was elevated to senior court attorney during her tenure from November 2001 to December 2006.
In that role, she said she was responsible for calendar management and drafting motions related to civil matters, including personal injury cases, property actions, and malpractice litigation.
Elected to the Civil Court bench in November 2006, Judge Williams said she was initially assigned to Kings County Criminal Court, where she presided over arraignments, all-purpose part proceedings, and trial parts.
She said her decisions covered various legal issues, including vehicle and traffic law matters, motions to dismiss, hearsay objections, and other evidentiary challenges.
Anthony ‘Chidi’ A. Eze, Esq.
Nigerian-born Brooklyn resident Eze is running for Kings County Civil Court Judge because his “life’s work has been about standing up for fairness, justice, and the people of Brooklyn.”
“From the day I opened my law office in Downtown Brooklyn more than 20 years ago, I have dedicated myself to defending homeowners against unjust foreclosures, fighting for workers facing discrimination, and protecting civil rights in our courts,” he told Caribbean Life.
“I know what it means to come to Brooklyn with nothing but a dream and a determination to serve,” added Eze, whose wife is Grenadian-born. “I have represented individuals facing employment discrimination and civil rights violations in over 100 federal cases; taken on big banks to protect our neighbors’ homes; and played a role in passing the Foreclosure Abuse Prevention Act, legislation that has already saved thousands of families across New York.
“My commitment has always been to those who don’t have the means to fight back alone,” he continued. “I will bring that same dedication to fairness, compassion, and integrity to every case before me, ensuring that our courts are a place where justice is not reserved for the powerful, but belongs to every Brooklyn resident.”
As he continued his campaign, Eze said his platform centers on restoring trust and accessibility in the courts.
“I believe justice should be efficient, transparent and truly serves the people,” said Eze, stating that means: “Expanding access to justice by supporting pro bono initiatives and ensuring that all Brooklyn residents, regardless of income, race, or immigration status, are treated fairly; protecting homeowners and tenants from predatory practices that threaten their stability and their right to remain in their communities; (and) upholding fairness in employment and civil rights cases, ensuring that every worker and every citizen has equal protection under the law.”
He also said justice should promote community engagement by working with local organizations “to improve legal awareness and empower residents with knowledge of their rights.
