Articles

Profile of the Honorable Valerie Brathwaite Nelson

By Michael Goldsmith

Newly elected Civil Court Judge Valerie Brathwaite Nelson brings a wide range of well rounded experience to the Queens County judiciary.

Judge Nelson was elected to the Civil Court of the City of New York in November 2002. Prior to being elected to the bench, Judge Nelson practiced law for more than twenty years and was engaged in private practice for most of those years.

Judge Nelson grew up in Queens County. She graduated from Andrew Jackson High School where she was a booster for the basketball team and enjoyed track and field. “I was active in student government, and have good memories of my friends from high school,” said Judge Nelson.

After graduating high school, Judge Nelson then attended Syracuse University, where she majored in political science. “It was a culture shock coming to Syracuse,” recalled the Judge. “I could not believe the amount of snow and cold there. It was so cold, that during Halloween, it did not appear that there were any children outside for Trick or Treat.” “However, despite the challenging weather, I found the experience very enjoyable,” said the Judge. “In my last year of college, I resided at a dormitory which was a townhouse on what used to be ski slopes. It was very scenic.”

While at Syracuse University, the future judge belonged to the political science and sociology honor societies. She was also active in student government and sat on the University Judicial Board. Judge Nelson pledged to the sorority Alpha Kappa Kappa, and graduated in 1975, after only three years of study.

After receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree, Judge Nelson headed for a warmer climate, attending law school at George Washington University National Law Center in Washington, D.C.

Judge Nelson was excited to be in nation’s capital, and “really appreciated the position of the city in our nation’s history and government.”

In 1977, her senior year at G.W.U., the future judge interned with United States Representative, Hon. Shirley Chisholm. Judge Nelson stayed with the Brooklyn Congresswoman for a year after she graduated. “I helped with day to day legal activities. Congresswoman Chisholm was active on the Labor and Education Committees, and at that time, I developed an interest in labor law,” said Judge Nelson.

From 1979 to 1980, Judge Nelson served as a staff attorney for a member of the commission at the Occupational Safety Health and Review Commission. This agency acts as an appeals court for OSHA decisions. Commission members are appointed by the President and approved by the Senate. Judge Nelson would assist the commission member in the review of lower body decisions and help in drafting decisions.

From 1980 to 1986, Judge Nelson served as counsel to two presidential appointees at the National Labor Relations Board. In 1983, she transferred back to the regional office in Manhattan, and was engaged in trial work. In her capacity as trial counsel, Judge Nelson investigated charges and litigated claims filed by employees, unions, etc. alleging violations of the National Labor Relations Act. This was a very exciting time for the Judge, who was involved with significant issues and she also gained a vast amount of trial experience.

In 1986, Judge Nelson entered into private practice and worked for a firm which engaged in the practice of labor law litigation in Manhattan.

Approximately two or three years later, Judge Nelson was appointed by the office of the New York State Governor to the Department of Labor. At that position, Judge Nelson served as Deputy Counsel for the New York State Labor Department.

In 1990, Judge Nelson started her own private practice on Montague Street, in Brooklyn. The practice had a significant case load involving labor and employment law. She also engaged in real estate and matrimonial practice. Judge Nelson stayed in private practice up until her election to the Civil Court in November, 2002.

Toward the end of her law practice, Judge Nelson handled cases for federal agencies and quite often defended federal agencies in labor and employment matters.

In one of her last cases as a private practitioner, Judge Nelson prevailed in the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C. in one of the first successful cases involving a federal agency defending itself for actions taken against an employee who engaged in workplace violence. “I was proud to end my private practice on a high note”, said Judge Nelson. Prior to that particular case, there was no clear standard for the government to take action against a federal employee who engaged in workplace violence.

“I was pleased and proud to have the opportunity to actually practice law,” said Judge Nelson. “Now that I am a judge, I certainly know what attorneys go through in their daily practice. I know how difficult it is to represent clients in the manner that you wish, given the daily demands on the private practitioner. I also know how challenging it is for attorneys to appear in different parts on the same day. To make the system successful, there needs to be cooperation between the bench and the bar, and I certainly know how it is to be a member of the bar.”

“I enjoy my position very much,” said Judge Nelson. “I am fascinated by the cases and issues that come before me, and thrilled to meet the attorneys coming into my part. I have a very well-rounded background and am pleased to observe that most attorneys in Queens County do an excellent job in providing representation to their clients.”

Judge Nelson is very active in many diverse organizations. She is a former member of a State Youth Board and a County Economic Development Advisory Board. She also formerly served as a section vice-president of the National Bar Association, vice-president of the York College Community Advisory Council, a member of Community Board Twelve in Queens, attorney for the Episcopal Diocese Long Island, Chairperson of the NAACP Jamaica Branch Legal Redress Committee, Girl Scout Troop Leader and a board member of a youth camp. Judge Nelson is a member of the Queens County Bar Association, the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association and the Queens Women’s Bar Association.

In March 2002, the New York City Council acknowledged Judge Nelson’s extraordinary accomplishments and contributions by bestowing upon her the prestigious Women of Achievement Pacesetter Award, during a ceremony and celebration at City Hall. Judge Nelson has been the recipient of a host of other honors and recognitions including, United States Congressional Awards, a New York State Senate Award, New York State Assembly Awards and New York City Council Outstanding Service Awards. She has been featured in various articles and publications and her distinguished record of service was recently profiled in New York Newsday

In her very limited spare time, Judge Nelson enjoys riding her bike, and being active with the Girl Scouts.