Mineola, NY—October 1, 2024—The Judiciary Committee of the Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA) screens candidates for judicial office and has made the following determination for candidates on the ballot in Nassau County in the November 5, 2024, election:

Family Court Judge
Joseph Nocella, Jr. Well Qualified

District Court Judge (District 2)
Ryan E. Cronin Well Qualified
Veronica Renta Irwin Well Qualified
Andrea C. Phoenix Well Qualified

District Court Judge (District 4)
Michele M. Johnson Well Qualified
Charles McQuair Well Qualified

The NCBA Judiciary Committee consists of 21 members who have performed outstanding service to the public and to the Bar, and who are recognized as persons of leadership and integrity. The Committee membership reflects a broad range of political participation and professional experience. The Committee determines whether candidates are “Well Qualified” for the judicial office they seek or, in the event of a negative conclusion, that the candidate is “Not Approved at this Time” for such office.

“The Committee provides this important public service to educate our community,” said NCBA President Daniel W. Russo. “Many lay people are not very familiar with the judicial candidates on the ballot and are looking for guidance. The candidates are screened by local attorneys who practice in Nassau County courts who can evaluate the candidates’ qualifications and their judicial temperament.”

Not all candidates on the ballot are screened by the Judiciary Committee and non-Nassau County candidates may be referred to the NCBA at the request of another bar association where there is a conflict of interest. In accordance with the NCBA Bylaws, District Court judicial candidate Lisa A. LoCurto was screened by the Suffolk County Bar Association and found Well Qualified. Supreme Court judicial candidates Andrew A. Crecca, Alfred C. Graf, Paul E. Hennings, Paul M. Hensley, James F. Matthews, Jr., and Deanna D. Panico were screened by the Suffolk County Bar Association and in accordance with their bylaws, found Qualified.