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2026 New York General Election

2026 New York Primary Election

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Working Families

Janice Purvis is from Bel Air, Maryland. She has a bachelor 27s degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from New York Law School. She lives in Crown Heights with her daughter and rescue cats.

Who are the judges on your ballot? A guide to Brooklyn's judicial ...

Janice Purvis has a bachelor's degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota and a law degree from New York Law School. She is a mother.

Janice is a court attorney referee at Kings County Supreme Court. She also serves as a special referee on uncontested matrimonial matters. She previously worked in the Law Department of Kings County Supreme Court for 19 years. 

Janice Purvis for Civil Court Judge- Kings County

Janice is a court attorney referee at the Kings County Supreme Court. She previously worked as a litigation associate for a private law firm.

Janice is currently a court attorney in Brooklyn Civil Court. She has spent over 20 years working in the New York City Law Department and as a court attorney.

Judicial Candidate Resource Guide

As a Court Attorney Referee, she hears and decides cases related to custody and orders of protection, serves as a legal expert in early civil litigation, and assists individuals in navigating court procedures at the Kings County Help Center.

As a member of various legal associations, including the Court Attorneys Association of New York City and the Brooklyn Bar Association, Purvis is actively engaged in the legal community.

Member of various legal associations, including the Court Attorneys Association of New York City and the Brooklyn Bar Association.

As a litigation associate at a private law firm, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in state and federal corporate securities actions and commercial litigation.

- As a Court Attorney Referee, she hears and decides cases related to custody and orders of protection, serves as a legal expert in early civil litigation, and assists individuals in navigating court procedures at the Kings County Help Center.
- Member of various legal associations, including the Court Attorneys Association of New York City and the Brooklyn Bar Association.
- As a litigation associate at a private law firm, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in state and federal corporate securities actions and commercial litigation.

Legal Experience

For Candidate Janice P. Purvis on Issue judicial-philosophy:  
Commits to maintaining fairness and impartiality while treating all individuals with respect, dignity, and professionalism.

Commits to maintaining fairness and impartiality while treating all individuals with respect, dignity, and professionalism.

- Commits to maintaining fairness and impartiality while treating all individuals with respect, dignity, and professionalism.

Judicial Philosophy

For Candidate Janice P. Purvis on Issue judicial-administration: Advocates for mandatory training for judges and court staff on LGBTQ issues and resources, emphasizing the importance of addressing the specific needs of the LGBTQ community.

Advocates for mandatory training for judges and court staff on LGBTQ issues and resources, emphasizing the importance of addressing the specific needs of the LGBTQ community.

Aims to collaborate with court staff to improve access to justice.

- Advocates for mandatory training for judges and court staff on LGBTQ issues and resources, emphasizing the importance of addressing the specific needs of the LGBTQ community.
- Aims to collaborate with court staff to improve access to justice.

Judicial Administration

As of June 18, 2026, Janice P. Purvis’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Ethics & Conduct

Lives in Crown Heights, serves as vice president of her block association.

Serves as vice president of her block association in Crown Heights, New York.

- Serves as vice president of her block association in Crown Heights, New York.

Community Involvement

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Janice P. Purvis

Janice is from Bel Air, Maryland. She attended the University of Minnesota. She has a bachelor's degree in philosophy, with a minor in classical languages, from the University of Minnesota. She has a juris doctor degree from New York Law School.

Janice is a Court Attorney Referee at the Kings County Supreme Court, where she also serves as a Special Referee on Uncontested Matrimonial Matters.

Janice P. Purvis's campaign for Civil Court Judge is her first entry into politics.

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Buket Urgen

Emphasizes fairness and impartiality in judicial conduct.

Serves as a member of the Crown Heights North Association, former Board member of Friends of Brower Park, Vice President of The Block at Prospect Place Association, and Board member of Bushwick Street Cats, Inc.

Michelle is from Brooklyn, New York. She attended the University at Albany, State University of New York. She has a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Japanese studies from the University at Albany, State University of New York. She also has a juris doctor from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She lives in Canarsie. She attends God’s Battalion of Prayer Church.

Guyanese-born Attorney Michelle DeSouza-Forte seeks seat on ...

Michelle DeSouza has a bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in Japanese studies from the University at Albany and a law degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She attends her local church.

Michelle currently serves as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the New York City Law Department. She previously served as an Associate Attorney for a law firm and as a solo practitioner.

Operated her own law practice, providing guidance on wills, trusts, estates, real estate, immigration, contracts, and civil disputes.

As a solo practitioner for over seven years, she provided guidance on wills, trusts, estates, real estate, immigration, contracts, and civil disputes.

As an Associate Attorney at Grimaldi & Yeung Law Group, handled estate planning and administration in a fast-paced legal environment.

As an Associate Attorney at Grimaldi & Yeung Law Group, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in estate planning and administration.

As an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department, represented the City in litigation, managing trials, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, while mentoring junior attorneys and supervising interns.

As an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department, she represents the City in litigation, managing trials, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, while mentoring junior attorneys and supervising interns.

Founding member of the Caribbean American Lawyers Association (CALA), which supports Caribbean-American legal professionals and expands access to legal resources.

Founding member of the Caribbean American Lawyers Association (CALA), which seeks to support Caribbean-American legal professionals and expand access to legal resources.

- As a solo practitioner for over seven years, she provided guidance on wills, trusts, estates, real estate, immigration, contracts, and civil disputes.
- As an Associate Attorney at Grimaldi & Yeung Law Group, she researched, drafted, and filed legal documents, and provided defense and counsel to clients, specializing in estate planning and administration.
- As an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department, she represents the City in litigation, managing trials, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, while mentoring junior attorneys and supervising interns.
- Founding member of the Caribbean American Lawyers Association (CALA), which seeks to support Caribbean-American legal professionals and expand access to legal resources.

Commits to fairness, integrity, and equal justice for all.

- Commits to fairness, integrity, and equal justice for all.

As of June 18, 2026, Michelle Desouza’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Actively involved in community service through education and faith-based initiatives, including serving on Community Education Council 18, supporting a church's shelter ministry and soup kitchen, and holding leadership roles in a Christian academy. Recognized with the Caribbean Life Impact Award in 2018 for her dedication to community service.

Previously served on Community Education Council 18, an education policy organization.

As Board President of Battalion Christian Academy and a continuing board member, she has "played a key role in supporting educational opportunities for young people."

- Previously served on Community Education Council 18, an education policy organization.
- As Board President of Battalion Christian Academy and a continuing board member, she has "played a key role in supporting educational opportunities for young people."

Michelle Desouza

- Claims to be committed to fairness, integrity, and equal justice for all.

- As an Assistant Corporation Counsel with the New York City Law Department, she represents the City in litigation, managing trials, motion practice, discovery, and settlement negotiations, while mentoring junior attorneys and supervising interns.
- Founding member of the Caribbean American Lawyers Association (CALA), which seeks to support Caribbean-American legal professionals and expand access to legal resources.

Michelle Desouza is from Guyana. She has a bachelor 27s degree in political science from the University at Albany, State University of New York, and a law degree from Western Michigan University Thomas M. Cooley Law School. She currently resides in Canarsie, Brooklyn, and is actively involved with God 27s Battalion of Prayer Church.

Michelle is an attorney. She previously operated her own law practice, providing guidance to individuals and families on matters such as wills, trusts and estates, real estate, immigration, contracts, and civil disputes. She later worked as an associate attorney at Grimaldi & Yeung Law Group, where she handled estate planning and administration.

Michelle is currently an assistant corporation counsel with the New York City Law Department.

- The New York Civil Court has jurisdiction over civil cases involving amounts up to $50,000 and other civil matters referred to it by the Supreme Court.
- It includes a small claims part for informal dispositions of matters not exceeding $10,000 and a housing part for landlord-tenant matters and housing code violations.
- There are 120 judges elected to the Civil Court, but only about 50 sit in it. The remaining judges sit in other courts, such as the Criminal Court or Family Court.
- Judges are elected to 10-year terms in partisan elections.
- They are paid a salary of $216,400.

Judge who handles majority of civil cases in New York

Kings Civil Court Judge, District 6, Democratic Primary

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Legal Experience

Judicial Philosophy

Judicial Administration

Ethics & Conduct

Community Involvement