Noach Dear Appointed to New York State Supreme Court

The Honorable Noach Dear was appointed to the New York State Supreme Court this past Thursday. The announcement was made by the administrative judge of the state courts of New York. Judge Dear served in the civil court system for the past two years.The decision to appoint him to the New York State Supreme Court was made by Her Honor Ann Pfau, the Chief Administrative Judge. Judge Pfau was appointed to her position by Judge Judith Kaye. Judge Dear was appointed as an Acting Supreme Court Justice.

Dear served for over twenty years as a city councilman for his Brooklyn constituents and was elected two years ago as a judge to the civil court. The appointment was made because of Judge Dear’s impressive activities in consumer debt court. The consumer debt court is the first dedicated court of its kind in the United States which deals specifically with the issues of consumer debt collection.

With the rising unemployment and the devastating economy of recent years, consumers are often at a disadvantage when dealing with credit card companies who often utilize technicalities and loopholes to increase fines, fees and percentage rates to people already facing some financial difficulties. Indeed, well close to a half a million people New Yorkers have found themselves as defendants in consumer-debt lawsuits in the past four years alone.

“Judge Dear has been a leader in creating an environment where pro se consumer debt defendants experience due process of law,” said David Tipson, director of New York Appleseed to the Five Towns Jewish Times. New York Appleseed is the New York branch of a national non-profit organization that focuses on systemic change and structural reform in a broad range of legal issues.

Plaintiff debt collectors always have high powered attorneys representing their interests. The average consumer does not nor can he or she readily afford one. Often they receive grossly unfair settlements and judgments against them because of their lack of proper representation.

Judge Dear was effective not only in the courtroom itself but was also frequent contributor to the prestigious New York Law Journal on issues of debt. Many of his articles are referenced in legal opinions by judges throughout New York and around the country.

The Supreme Court appointment allows Judge Dear to hear cases beyond small claims and non-equity cases. This appointment will allow Judge Dear to preside on cases that deal with mortgage foreclosures as well as real estate equity issues. He will continue presiding over consumer debt cases as well. New Yorkers have won big with this appointment.

{Five Towns Jewish Times}

{Matzav.com Newscenter}

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