Opinion: Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary Needs More Than Lawyers

Fatherhood organizations can provide valuable real-world insight into how families experience judicial decisions in Family Court.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 6:23pm

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The author argues that the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary (MACJ), which is responsible for recruiting, screening, evaluating, and recommending candidates for city court appointments, should include representatives from fatherhood and shared parental rights organizations in addition to legal professionals. The author believes that these community-based voices can provide valuable firsthand knowledge of how families experience judicial decisions in Family Court, which can complement the legal expertise of the committee.

Why it matters

Evaluating judicial candidates requires understanding the real-world context in which judges serve. Fathers who have navigated Family Court can provide insights that legal credentials alone cannot capture, helping to ensure the MACJ recommends judges who are both legally competent and aware of families' needs.

The details

The MACJ currently has 19 members, with 9 directly selected by the mayor and 10 appointed from nominations by other entities. The mayor's executive order revitalizing the MACJ allows for a broader range of appointees, including those with experience in areas such as criminal defense, family law, and representation of parents and children in Family Court. The author argues that this distinction allows the mayor to include non-traditional but highly relevant voices, such as representatives from fatherhood and shared parental rights organizations, to complement the legal expertise on the committee.

  • In early January, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of Ali Najmi, Esq. as chair of the MACJ.

The players

Mayor Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who announced the appointment of the MACJ chair and has the ability to appoint 9 of the 19 committee members.

Ali Najmi, Esq.

The newly appointed chair of the Mayor's Advisory Committee on the Judiciary (MACJ).

Real Dads Network

A not-for-profit organization whose mission is to strengthen the institution of the family by empowering fathers through support, resources, and advocacy.

The Dad Gang

A fatherhood organization based in the Bronx.

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What they’re saying

“While legal expertise is invaluable, evaluating judicial candidates also requires understanding the real-world context in which judges serve. Fathers who have navigated Family Court can provide firsthand knowledge of how the system affects families—perspective that no resume alone can capture.”

— Leon Tulton, Member of Real Dads Network (citylimits.org)

What’s next

The mayor could invite organizations that advocate for shared parental rights to recommend candidates for some of the nine direct appointments to the MACJ. Law school deans who nominate two members could also consider recommending paralegals who work with families in court.

The takeaway

Including fatherhood and shared parental rights representatives alongside legal professionals on the MACJ would help ensure the committee recommends judges who are not only legally qualified but also fair, balanced, and aware of the realities families face daily, strengthening fairness, equity, and public trust in the city's courts.