Patch Candidate Profile 2023: Pollak Seeks Clarkstown Justice Post

CLARKSTOWN, NY — Election season 2023 election is here and there are plenty of races with candidates eager to serve in elected office.

Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as Election Day draws near.

Aimee Pollak is running for a seat on the Clarkstown Justice Court. Five people are vying for three seats: David Ascher, Michael Bongiorno, Howard Gerber, Pollak and Kevin F. Hobbs.

Pollak, 52, is the court attorney to the Hon. Keith J. Cornell, Surrogate and Acting Family Court Judge. Previously she worked for an appellate court judge on the second circuit court of appeals, then the New York State Attorney General’s Office as an Assistant Attorney General in the Antitrust Bureau, then as a housing attorney at the Rockland County Legal Aid Society.

A graduate of Clarkstown North High School, Yale and NYU law school, she lives in New City with her husband and two children. Her campaign website is aimeeforjustice.com

Patch: Why are you seeking this office?

Pollak I appeared in Justice Court when I was working at Legal Aid, and I was disappointed by how some of the judges treated the litigants, especially those who were not represented. Justice Court is the court people are most likely to appear in - in misdemeanor criminal cases, traffic cases, landlord tenant actions, or to bring a small claim. I believe that the judges need to be patient and thoughtful and treat everyone who comes before the court with dignity and respect. I am seeking this position so that I can make court less intimidating and confusing, while ensuring our town stays safe.

Patch: What are the major differences between you and the other candidate(s) seeking this post?

Pollak: I am the only candidate who has spent their entire career in public service. I am the only one who does not have a private practice on the side. And, of course, I am the only woman.

Patch: What is the single most pressing issue facing your constituents and what do you intend to do about it?

Pollak: Courts don’t have constituents exactly, but the biggest issue the Office of Court Administration has focused on recently is Access to Justice. I fully support any efforts by OCA to make the courts easier to use and understand, so the most people can file their claims (using electronic filing and DIY forms), attend in ways that are more convenient (like virtual appearances), and expanding the types of cases for which appointed counsel is available.

Patch: What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

Pollak: Other than court administration and access to justice, I have been focusing on the need for judges to uphold the highest standards of decorum. I have experienced courtrooms where judges did not treat all litigants fairly, especially those without private counsel. I have also seen judges condescend to women (both lawyers and litigants) and people who do not speak English fluently. I will run a courtroom where everyone will be equally respected and have the opportunity to speak and be listened to, and no one will feel like they were demeaned by the Court for who they are or what they look or sound like.

Patch: What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

Pollak: I have been working toward this job for my entire career. Every legal job I have held has helped me to build the skills to conduct arraignments and trials, negotiate settlements, and write decisions, all of which are required of Justice Court judges. My most recent job, as a court attorney, is essentially an apprenticeship in being a judge. I have written hundreds of decisions and conducted hundreds of conferences. I have helped parties settle cases and find common ground. I am also a certified mediator.

Patch: What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

Pollak: Jump into things that are scary; most of the fear is anticipation - once you are in the middle of the thing, you will be too busy doing it to be scared.

Patch: Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Pollak: I can’t wait to start serving our town!