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Mayor Appoints Phillip Dabney To City Court

Mayor Byron Brown appointed Phillip Dabney Jr. as a Buffalo City Court Judge on December 31. "Mr. Dabney is a knowledgeable, fair and skilled lawyer. Throughout his years of public service and experience in private practice, he has demonstrated a deep commitment to community, and a belief in justice for all. I am confident that Mr. Dabney will be a leader in our continuing pursuit of a more equitable and just City of Buffalo as a City Court Judge," said Brown.”

Dabney, Jr. Begins Tenure

On the first day of Judge Phillip Dabney Jr.’s tenure as Buffalo City Court Judge, he refletced on being appointed by Mayor Brown and sworn-in by Chief Judge Craig Hannah at City Hall on New Year’s Eve. Dabney took the oath of office on his late-father’s bible, held by his wife Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney. Dabney’s mother, Jessie May Dabney, and his children attended the socially distanced ceremony. Judge Dabney has more than 15 years of legal experience which includes service to the community as a litigator, criminal defense attorney, and prosecutor. Dabney was born and raised in the Trinidad neighborhood of Buffalo’s East Side. He is the oldest in a family of six siblings and a proud graduate of Bennett High School, Canisius College, and the University at Buffalo Law School. His commitment to advocacy, justice and equity began at an early age, nurtured by his father’s ministry. As a child, Phil loved engaging in philosophical and theological conversations with his father and grandfather, both beloved pastors of Church of God in Christ in local churches. Dabney also credits his high school sophomore English teacher, Paul S. Feinstein for inspiring in him the confidence to pursue a legal education. Phil had not imagined that a kid who looked like him could successfully manage academic rigors of earning a law degree. It was Mr. Feinstein who directed Phil academically, placing him in several Judge Dabney with his wife, Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney and his daughters Tia Dabney and Nadia Lane

Buffalo’s newest City Court Judge, Phillip Dabney, Jr. with Mayor Byron Brown and Chief Judge Craig Hannah after Thursday’s socially distanced swearing-in ceremony ALL PHOTOS BLANC PHOTOGRAPHIE

advanced placement courses. Mr. Feinstein would later write Phil's letter of recommendation for law school. After graduating from Bennett High School, Phil achieved his first degree from Erie County Community College as he supported his young family while attending college and earning an Associate of Arts degree in paralegal studies, only to be followed by his undergraduate education at Canisius College, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. It was during this time that Phil and his first wife unexpectedly lost their seventeen-month-old son, Phillip Brandon Dabney, affectionately known as Philby. Phil and his first wife worked hard to care for each other and their children, Tia and Jeremy, in the wake of their heartbreaking loss. Phil entered law school in 1999, and worked at a retail store as he pursued his education at the University at Buffalo Law School in 2000, as he continued to provide for his family. He graduated in 2002 and went on to build a successful legal career which has included serving as Assistant District Attorney in Niagara County in, an administrative law judge with various New York State Dabney being sworn in on his father’s Bible, held by his wife and best friend, Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney

agencies including the State Liquor Authority and Office for People with Developmental Disabilities. Dabney also served a hearing officer in Small Claims Court in Buffalo City Court and Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority-Occupancy. However, the core of his private practice is most notable in criminal defense work which best seasons him for his recent judicial appointment from Mayor Byron Brown. Chief Judge Craig Hannah took the opportunity to thank Mayor Brown "for having the foresight to appoint such a diverse bench. Diversity and inclusion is so important in these trying Continued Page 17

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