NYC Bar Association 'Approves' one Queens DA candidate
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Queens Criminal Courthouse. Eagle photo by David Brand
By David Brand
The New York City Bar Association “approved” one of two Queens district attorney candidates Monday, eight days ahead of the Nov. 5 general election — but with early voting already underway.
The bar association gave the “Approved” rating to Democratic nominee Melinda Katz, the Queens Borough President — just as it did in the lead up to the Democratic primary earlier this year. Republican nominee Joe Murray, a criminal defense attorney based in Kew Gardens, was rated as “not approved,” by the bar association. Murray, a criminal defense attorney, said he “declined to participate” in the application process by the New York City Bar Association or the Queens County Bar Association.
“To ensure the thoroughness and integrity of the ratings process, the City Bar cannot comment beyond what is provided in this release,” the NYC Bar told the Eagle in June. A spokesperson declined to comment on the ratings Monday.
The NYC Bar rates candidates as “Approved” or “Not Approved,” but declines to share specific information about their decision-making — including whether or not a candidate submitted an application and attended an interview. The policy of only approving candidates if they submit an application automatically disqualified Murray from an “Approved” rating.
Murray said his record as a defense attorney speaks for itself.
“I have tried felony cases in Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx and federal court in the Eastern District of New York,” he continued. “I don’t need the city bar to tell me I’m qualified.”
Murray also criticized the bar association for giving Katz an “approved” rating when she has not worked cases in criminal court. Katz responded to similar criticism from her opponents in the Democratic primary. She did not respond to requests for comment for this story.
“I’ve written laws and shaped policies that have changed thousands of lives across our city and state,” Katz told the Eagle in June. “The District Attorney’s office has immense responsibility and our next DA will need the sound judgement that only comes with decades of legal experience to steer it in the right direction.”
“The Bar Association is confident in my background, and I’m proud to have their approval,” she added.
