Judge E. Loren Williams is running for New York State Supreme Court Justice in the ninth judicial district. The space was left vacant after the passing of Justice Steven Milligram, who passed away from the novel coronavirus [COVID-19].

Williams has a long history with upstate New York’s legal system. He started out in the District Attorney’s office prosecuting cases. Then, Williams transferred to the Legal Aid Society. Moving from Albany, Williams eventually found himself in the City of Newburgh.

Williams initially worked for years as a prosecutor and Legal Aid Attorney. When Former Newburgh City Court Judge Bolivar Harold Ramsey, the first African American judge in Orange County, retired, Williams took on the then vacant position of Newburgh City Court Judge. Williams had been appointed to the position by the Newburgh City Council.

Williams has always had a connection to upstate New York. Growing up in Batavia, Williams lived in government housing with his mother and siblings. His father had passed away in a car accident.

“My mother really taught us there’s no substitute for hard work,” said Williams.

Williams was the first in his family to go to college and law school.

“I think that my upbringing, which I appreciate very much, was really kind of the thing that kept me going throughout life,” said Williams.

Williams said that at times he had to work harder than others to get to where he is now. He said in the end it all worked out.

Williams is a life-long Democrat, and the father of two girls.

Williams is a full-time city court judge who presides over commercial, civil, and criminal matters. He also presides over landlord and tenant related issues.

Williams currently presides over the opioid treatment court, the drug treatment court, the domestic violence court, and the veterans court. He also is an acting Orange County Judge.

Williams finds some legal cases difficult to navigate.

“Sometimes those cases are difficult because there’s no clear answer,” said Williams. “A crime has been committed, whether there’s a victim or a general crime against society.”

“They’re crimes,” said Williams. “But what’s the reason for it? Why was the crime committed? Was the person addicted to substances and if they are, then we gotta get them some help.”

Williams doesn’t agree with going directly to incarcerating a person.

“If we got them treatment, instead of that, and stopped the cycle,” said Williams. “Because listen, if you put someone in jail when they’re addicted to a substance or have mental health issues, that problem exists once they get out of jail and the likelihood that they reoffend is tremendous.”

Williams’ work with the city’s drug treatment court program has brought acclaim for its compassionate approach to substance addiction.

“Giving them treatment up front and letting them go through a program,” said Williams. “Giving them counseling, guidance brings them and their families out of that cycle, downwards cycle of crime and incarceration.”

Williams’ favorite feeling from working as a judge is seeing people change.

“When I see people really take that opportunity to embrace the healthy things and to change their lives, and to see them unite with their family at [drug court] graduation and turn the page in their lives,” said Williams. “Becoming productive citizens of our community once more, and really because, it affects that person for the rest of their life, getting the treatment they really need.”

“They change, because they change,” said Williams. “They will have a positive effect on children, on loved ones, and that really; the impact is felt there.”

Williams enjoys seeing the ultimate result of when people seek help.

If Williams becomes the ninth judicial district’s supreme court justice, he wants to help foster a more objective and inclusive legal system. He said he believes that people often struggle with implicit bias.

“Judges are often encouraged to look into that implicit bias themselves, and make sure it’s not applied in making their decisions,” said Williams. “I think that a broader conversation can be had, you know, obviously with the judges, the legal system, lawyers.”

Williams wants “to continue the conversation” on the need for increased sensitivity and inclusivity. He wants the conversation to be regular and not just necessary when certain situations happen.

“This should be a conversation that’s had all the time,” said Williams. “Because people talk about these issues, we can resolve them. Really, implicit bias is really checked when you’re aware of it.”

Williams believes that his legal background, personal experiences, and commitment to compassion and inclusivity make him qualified for the New York State Supreme Court.

“These are very difficult times in our country and our community,” said Williams. “I think that someone who’s had a wide variety of experiences in their lifetime [and] a well rounded legal background is someone that our community as a whole can embrace on the bench.”

Williams was recently endorsed by the Orange County Democratic Committee. The ninth judicial district spans five counties: Westchester, Rockland, Dutchess, Putnam and Orange. The Ninth Judicial Convention will take place on August 10 and the general election will take place on November 3.

A candidate must be endorsed by the entire ninth district at the Ninth Judicial Convention to proceed to the general election.