Meet Mojgan Lancman: Candidate for Queens County Civil Court Judge

June 20, 2014, Washington, D.C. – Mojgan Cohanim Lancman, an attorney with the Supreme Court of Queens, recently announced her candidacy for Queens County Civil Court Judge. If successful, it is believed Lancman would be the first Iranian American judge elected in New York State.

A first-generation immigrant, Lancman holds a JD from New York Law School and has nearly 20 years of experience as a court attorney, arbitrator, court referee, and law clerk. In 2014, Lancman was appointed a Referee in the Supreme Court of Queens County, presiding in a quasi-judicial capacity in the centralized motion part where virtually all civil motions are made.

In the past, Lancman has also served as a law clerk in both the New York City Civil Court in Queens and the Supreme Court of Queens County, overseeing the court calendar, drafting verdicts and conducting research. Her legal experience spans matrimonial, labor, property, commercial, negligence, and tort litigation.

“Having served in the justice system for the past 11 years I have observed the important function of the judiciary in the lives of average citizens,” Lancman told PAAIA on why she was running for office. “A judge is the ultimate authority in the given matter before him or her and has the power to ensure that justice is served. I find this responsibility to be humbling while at the same time personally and professionally satisfying.”

“Queens Civil Court hears a large variety of matters including consumer transactions, medical provider no-fault payment disputes, commercial litigation, landlord-tenant matters, and personal injury suits,” said Lancman when asked about the issues facing the county today. “Civil Court judges face the challenge of ensuring that all parties are able to present their claims or defenses to the court while at the same time bringing each case to a just resolution in an expeditious manner.”

A proponent of community service, Lancman is a member of the Queens County Bar Association, the Queens County Women’s Bar Association, the Brandeis Association, and the Iranian American Bar Association, New York Chapter, where for the past two years she has been serving on the mentoring committee.

Lancman’s campaign has gained the endorsement of the Queens County Democratic Party and other elected Democratic officials in the county. 

She currently lives in Hillcrest Queens with her husband, New York City Councilman Rory Lancman, and their three children, Jonathan, Gail, and Laura.

Click here to learn more about Mojgan Lancman and her campaign.