Haitian heritage judge Cassandra A. Johnson campaigns for Queens Surrogate’s court

Judge Cassandra A. Johnson, who says she proudly resides in Southeast Queens, and has been active in the community professionally and civically, is ready to sit on the bench of Queens Surrogate’s Court, as the first person of color to hold the seat if she is elected on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, after the ballots are counted.

Judge Johnson told Caribbean Life at a recent Autism awareness walk in Smokey Park, Queens, “it’s an honor to be here for autism awareness walk with like-minded people. It’s close to home for me as well, so it’s important to be here to support the cause, I am excited to see changes being made,” she said.

“I am also running to be your next Surrogate’s Judge. I am the first woman, and first person of color here in Queens country, which is amazing, and it’s amazing to have the support of the community.”

“Surrogate Court is a place where you go after someone passes away. It’s also that adjudicate guardianship and adoption, so I look at it as a compassionate court. It’s important to have someone on the bench who can deal with people at times when they’re grieving in a way that’s compassionate, and to deal with cases expeditiously,” Johnson added.

Dedicated to the law, Johnson, who was raised by her parents in a Haitian-American family with a strong passion for justice and civic engagement, followed in her mother’s footsteps, choosing a career in law and public service, added that there is one surrogate in Queens County, “so your vote matters to change the face of the surrogate’s court for the next 14 years.”

She ultimately went to work in her mother’s law firm. “I started my legal career working for my mother while in high school. She has an office in Brooklyn and Queens, and I worked with her through college,” she said, noting that she continued to work at her mother’s practice, where she focused on trust and estates, adoption matters and real estate litigation.

Johnson, who began her judicial career as a Civil Court judge, in what is known as the People’s Court, presiding over civil matters, including jury and bench trials and many cases involving self-represented litigants added, “It was an eye-opening experience; you’re dealing with sensitive matters, dealing with the surrogate court and state proceedings and guardianship matters,

As a jurist, she is committed to ensuring that people are heard, have equitable outcomes, and feel that the system works for the people of Queens while upholding the tenets of competence, justice, and fairness.

She serves as a justice of the Queens Supreme Court, where she presides over a general civil part, which includes matters involving real estate transactions, contracts, labor law, premises liability, mother vehicle accidents, foreclosures, and general negligence.

Judge Johnson, who obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and her Juris Doctorate from St. John’s University and SJU Law respectively, while studying, participated in the elder law clinic, representing low-income elderly Queens residents in cases involving deed thefts and other deceptive business practices pro bono.

According to news outlets, Johnson explained that her time as a court attorney and referee piqued her interest in becoming a judge. She ran for civil court in Queens, and, in 2021, she became a civil court judge. Her time as a civil court judge meant she presided over all the parts of the civil court, including commercial, housing, and no-fault.

She explained that her time as a court attorney and referee piqued her interest in becoming a judge. She ran for civil court in Queens, and, in 2021, she became a civil court judge. Her time as a civil court judge meant she presided over all the parts of the civil court, including commercial, housing, and no-fault.

Johnson, who was endorsed by Congressman Gregory Meeks, who chairs the Queens County Democratic Party, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, State Senator Leroy Comrie, Assemblyman David Weprin, and many other lawmakers, promised, if elected, she could foresee the surrogate working with other legal entities in Queens. She added that it was important to build relationships with local bar associations and organizations, to gain awareness about the issues they have, and foster a more supportive environment.

She also reminded voters to make “your voices heard. It’s important that we get out early and share the information.”

Early voting is June 15 – June 23, and Tuesday, June 25, 2024, is election day. Polls open from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m.