GILBERTSVILLE – A local woman, who has served the public court system for the last 12 years, has announced she may be leaving her position in order to pursue her candidacy for Otsego County Court Judge.
Claudette Y. Newman, Esq., made the announcement Feb. 7. She has served Chenango’s courts providing legal analysis, research and communication services as a law clerk for multiple benches.
“It is because of my desire to serve and make a difference in any way that I can that I became a lawyer. That goal has also led me to many forms of community service,” she said.
Newman said she hopes to be endorsed as the Republican party’s candidate for the position.
Newman is a member of Chenango and Otsego County Bar Associations. She is serving her second term as Chenango County Bar President, making her the first to ever serve two consecutive terms. She began her career at a private practice in Sherburne in 1994, and then, in 1996, joined the public system as a clerk for Judge Kevin M. Dowd as he moved his career from the county bench to the State Supreme Court.
Newman is also an advisor for the state’s Mock Trial Tournament, a clerk, deacon, trustee and moderator of the Gilbertsville Baptist Church. She earned a bachelor of arts degree from Binghamton University and a jurist doctorate degree from Albany Law School.
She has lived in Gilbertsville for the last 18 years with her husband and three children.
“I really do believe the system works, and I enjoy the public service. I just hope I can find a way to continue my contributions to the community. This opportunity (open judgeship) doesn’t happen often and I had to make a decision,” said Newman.
Newman is pursuing a county judgeship vacancy left by Judge Michael V. Coccoma, who won his election to the State Supreme Court last year.