L-R-Judge Verris Shako, Diane Clerkin, Judge John Collins, Justice Desmond Lyons
Westchester Rising, Yonkers Rising and Yonkerstimes.com endorses Judge Verris Shako, Diane Clerkin, Judge John Collins and Judge Desmond Lyons for State Supreme Court on November. 4. The four will appear on the ballot in Westchester and in the rest of the 9th Judicial District, (Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Orange and Dutchess Counties), for a 14-year term.
All are from Westchester and bring their diversity, experience, and qualifications in asking for your vote. All four have been rated Well Qualified from the Westchester County Bar Association and Highly Qualified from the Orange County Bar Association.
Leading the ticket is Yonkers City Court Judge Verris Shako. Judge Shako has quickly become a rising star in judicial circles in Westchester. A Yonkers City Court Judge since 2021, Judge Shako brings not only a wealth of judicial knowledge but also compassion and fairness to her candidacy. A mother of 2, a committed community leader, and a leading jurist in one of our state’s busiest courts, Judge Shako goes beyond Yonkers when serving as an Acting County Court Judge, which she’s done since 2024. She has also been a Raise The Age Accessible Magistrate since 2021. Overall, Judge Shako brings 15 years of experience as a criminal trial attorney and 11 years of experience as a family court attorney; she’s also served as an Attorney for the Child.
We also applaud the Westchester Democrats on their selection of Diane Clerkin. Clerkin has over 30 years of experience as an attorney specializing in Supreme Court matters, and over 20 years of experience as an attorney in public service with the New York State Unified Court System as Chief Court Attorney, Supreme Court, in the 9th Judicial District, for which she seeks to be elected a Judge.
White Plains City Court Judge John Collins currently serves on the White Plains bench, where he has served since 2019; he is also an acting Westchester County Court Judge. Judge Collins served for 17 years in the US Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York as an Assistant US Attorney from 2000 to 2017. He has significant experience with judicial clerkships & internships, including time served under renowned jurist, Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Irvington Village Justice Desmond Lyons has served on the Irvington bench since 2010, and also served as an Acting Justice in the Village of Mamaroneck since 2021, and as an Acting Justice in the Town of Greenburgh & the City of White Plains since 2022. Justice Lyons served as a Village Prosecutor in Irvington, Sleepy Hollow, and Elmsford from 2000 to 2010.
County Executive Ken Jenkins said it best, “In a time of so much uncertainty nationally, this is something you can be certain of. On November 4th, don’t miss your opportunity to ensure justice for all. Vote Shako, Clerkin, Collins and Lyons, because if Justice matters, Judges matter.”
Democrats and Independent voters are being urged not to sleep on this race for State Supreme Court.
These races for State Supreme Court in the 9th JD are important in determining who will rule on the issues of day facing Westchester residents. All four Westchester jurists deserve your vote.
