Derefim Neckles.
[Election 2017]
With the Primary Day just around the corner, Transport Workers Union Local 100 this week officially endorsed Derefim Neckles for Kings County Civil Court judge in the 6th Municipal Court District, which covers all or parts of Flatbush, Midwood, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Crown Heights and Ditmas Park.
Primary Day is Tuesday, September 12th.
“Derefim has the experience, integrity, and compassion necessary to serve as Kings County Civil Court judge,” TWU Local 100 Secretary-Treasurer Earl Philips said. “She is an accomplished and respected attorney, and is completely committed to serving the people of Brooklyn. She understands the importance of mass transit and has demonstrated a strong desire to work with us to improve service for all riders. We are proud to endorse her.”
Born and raised in Grenada, Derefim Neckles says she’s always valued education and work ethics. She earned her B.A. degree, with honors, from Brooklyn College and her JD degree from the University of Miami School of Law. Admitted to the bar in New York and Florida, she has over 18 years of legal experience in public service and private practice.
“I am honored to receive this endorsement from the hard working men and women of TWU Local 100,” Neckles said. “Now more than ever, it’s absolutely critical that we have a judiciary that treats all people fairly and protects the fundamental rights that we all enjoy equally, regardless of income or social status.”
Transport Workers Union Local 100 represents approximately 42,000 bus, subway and Citi Bike workers in NYC and Westchester County. The overwhelming majority of Local 100 members operates and maintains the MTA’s subway and bus network in NYC.
For the past five years, Neckles has served as a Court Attorney Referee in Kings County Supreme Court, Civil Term. In that capacity, she has been presiding over bench trials and hearings, making recommendations and writing reports for Supreme Court Justices. In addition, Derefim served as a mediator in residential foreclosure cases.
Before that, she served for 10 years as a Court Attorney, Principal Law Clerk/Legal Counsel to an Administrative judge, Supreme Court Justice, Civil Court Judge, and Criminal Court Judge in Kings County. During that time, Neckles was involved in all aspects of bench trials, case conferences, decision-drafting, and settlements, as well as assisted the Administrative Judge in overseeing the Civil Term of Brooklyn Supreme and Civil Courts.
Prior to joining the Brooklyn Court system, she worked for three years in private practice, handling cases in the areas of immigration, employment discrimination, civil rights and criminal law.
For the past 13 years, Neckles has served as a volunteer arbitrator in the Small Claims Part of Brooklyn’s Civil Court. She has been a mentor and career advisor to high school and college students. She regularly participates in the Summer Youth Employment Program and a Women’s Imprisonment project.
Neckles has also been approved by the New York City Bar Association and the Brooklyn Bar Association.
In addition, she has been found qualified” by the Judicial Screening Committee for the Democratic Party in and for Kings County.
