The Working Families Party threw another monkey wrench into the race for Rensselaer County Family Court judge by endorsing East Greenbush attorney Geri Pomerantz.
The county’s Democratic Party earlier endorsed Troy attorney Richard Hanft, which was soon followed by the revelation that Troy attorney Beth Walsh, a former councilwoman, is also seeking the nod and has requested that she be appointed to the spot by Gov. David Paterson.
The position became vacant with the retirement of Judge Linda Griffin.
“Ms Pomerantz’s background uniquely demonstrates her commitment to access to justice for all families,” said Karen Scharff, co-chair of the Capital District Working Families Party.
Pomerantz was a supervising attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, a staff attorney with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley and Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York. She also was the first director of the AIDS project at Harlem Legal Services and served as a commissioner for the City of Kingston Human Rights Commission.
“Family Court Judge is a natural progression from my career as a public interest lawyer, focusing on family law for the past 10 years” she said in a statement.
In 2007, Pomerantz opened her own law office on Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush.
“I am delighted by the vote of confidence in me by the Working Families Party,” Pomerantz said.
She is also seeking a spot on the ballot for the Democratic Primary on September 15.
Pomerantz is a 1987 graduate of Northeastern University School of Law, and obtained her bachelors degree at Empire State College in 1984. She and her domestic partner reside in the Town of Schodack. They have three grown children and one grandchild.