Judge Farrell named to state association

F a r re l l

Amherst Town Justice Mark G. Farrell was recently sworn in as president-elect of the New York State Magistrates Association at its 97th annual conference and advanced training session held at the Nevele Resort and Country Club in Ellenville, N.Y.

Farrell will serve this year on a number of statewide committees for the Office of Court Administration and represent the interests of almost 2,000 town and village judges at the state level in anticipation of taking office as president in September 2007.

He has served as Amherst town justice since January 1994 and is currently serving his fourth term on the bench. He has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally for his involvement in therapeutic diversionary courts.

Farrell established the first suburban Drug Court in the United States in 1996, the first Domestic Violence Court in Erie County in 1997 and the first Gambling Treatment Court in the United States in August 2001.

A recipient of the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University at Buffalo, he was selected as Jurist of the Year by the Judges and Police Conference of Erie County in 2003 and was awarded the Outstanding National Contributor Award by the National Counsel on Problem Gambling at its annual meeting in June 2003.

The primary purpose and function of the New York State Magistrates Association is the maintenance, support and furtherance of a quality local judiciary through education and coordination with New York State agencies and through a close working relationship with the Office of Court Administration.