Crown Heights Attorney on The Ballot For Civil Court Judge

Born and raised in Crown Heights, attorney Aaron D. Franklin is on the ballot this Tuesday, November 3, for Judge of the Civil Court, 4th Municipal Court District, Kings County. Early voting is underway through Sunday, November 1.

Franklin grew up in a Chabad home and studied in Chabad yeshivas before attending Yeshiva University’s Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He trained at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office and was admitted to the New York bar in 2017. He went on to work as an associate at the Israeli firm Naschitz, Brandes, Amir & Co., before opening his own practice, Franklin Law, at Eastern Parkway and New York Avenue, in the heart of the Shchunah.

Most of his career has been spent in Brooklyn’s civil courts, handling civil litigation, commercial disputes, landlord-tenant and housing matters, and personal injury cases.

Franklin is one of three candidates for two open seats in the district, and is running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Asked by the New York Law Journal what drives his candidacy, Franklin pointed to the Rebbe’s call to use one’s talents to improve the world. “Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson encouraged his followers to constantly try to improve the world and to use their skills to help people in both large and small ways,” he said. “That inspired me personally to go out there, run for office, and see whether I could be of service to my community and to others to the best of my abilities.”

He describes his approach as fair, balanced and open-minded, with an emphasis on treating everyone who comes before the court with dignity. “We grew up in New York, which is a true melting pot, and serving the public means serving all different types of people,” he said. “People are very perceptive about how they’re treated in court.”

Franklin has also stressed the importance of helping voters understand a court system that many people rarely think about. “The judicial system should help people and inspire confidence,” he said. “It shouldn’t be something people feel disconnected from.”

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Polls are open 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Early voting continues through Sunday, November 1.