Assigned Counsel Association of Queens Family Court installs new board of directors

Assigned Counsel Association of Queens Family Court installed its new officers and board of directors Wednesday. Image via Zoom

By Rachel Vick

The Assigned Counsel Association of Queens Family Court celebrated the induction of its new board of directors on Wednesday with a virtual ceremony officiated by Family Court Judge Gilbert Taylor.

More than 50 members of the legal community, including Director of the Office for Attorneys for Children, Appellate Division, Second Department Harriet Weinberger and Queens County Bar Association President Cliff Welden, logged into Zoom to celebrate family law attorney Helen Bua’s induction as president.

“I'm so very honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve in this new way,” Bua said. “I’m confident in the support and creativity you have shown me and each other in my two years on this panel.”

Bua acknowledged the uncertain and potentially difficult path ahead, but said she believed in the power of persistence, turning to the words of past leaders Harriet Tubman and President Calvin Coolidge. 

Attorney Joel Serrano, who made sure the event was able to happen despite restrictions, will serve as vice president. Madelyne Mostiller is secretary, Rebecca Sodhi is treasurer. Maria de la Cruz, Lesley Lanoix, and past president Sarah Tirgary were installed as directors.

The newly installed board will be a group “with all the leadership and experience to build upon what is already in place,” Tirgary said, expressing her faith and excitement in an emotional goodbye.

She was thanked for her tireless service as president and efforts through the transition to virtual  court with a plaque – presented to her in person by her husband and a picture shown to viewers through screen sharing.

“Amid everything that is happening in our world today I’m grateful that we can gather and celebrate each other and the work we do in family court,” Taylor said. “Thank you for your diligence, for your advocacy, for your commitment, for your patience, your compassion and most of all for your service.”