Chinyelu Udoh, one of the four candidates for the 6th Municipal District Civil Court bench seat, currently works as a law clerk to an Acting Supreme Court Justice in New York County (Manhattan).
In this role for the past nine years, she has served as a liaison to the judge in communicating with attorneys and self-represented litigants while conferencing, negotiating, and settling cases. Udoh’s experience has allowed her to gain intricate knowledge in the areas of matrimonial and family law, criminal, landlord and tenant matters, small claims court, consumer and credit card debt actions, and all other general civil litigation matters.
“What sets me apart from and above the other candidates, is my depth and breadth of legal experience in the civil, criminal and family court practices. I am qualified to serve in the courts in any capacity on day one,” said Udoh, who previously served as Small Claims Court Arbitrator in Kings County Civil Court, hearing everyday disputes between New York City residents, and bringing them to resolution.
Udoh received her Bachelor of Science degree in economics and social policy in 1997, and her Juris Doctorate in 2000. She began her career as a junior law clerk with a New York State Supreme Court Justice, and then moved on to join as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of New York City Criminal Defense Division.
Rising to senior staff attorney during her several years at Legal Aid, Chinyelu litigated numerous criminal matters, misdemeanors and felonies, for several years before returning to her roots as a law clerk in the courts. She has been a member of various professional legal organizations, including previously serving on the executive boards of the Network of Bar Leaders and the Nigerian Lawyers Association.
Udoh has chaired many committees and programs, and currently is a board member of Brooklyn Community Board 3 in Bedford Stuyvesant, as well as Vice President & General Counsel of the Vanguard Independent Democratic Association in Brooklyn, New York.
Udoh has been deeply committed to public service and her Brooklyn community, where she has lived for many years, with her parents as her first role models, learning as she watched them plant roots as immigrants in the United States. She credits her parents’ example of hard work and their dedication to family, friends, and community as the driving force in her life to follow in their footsteps, continuing the commitment of service and justice.
Udoh has benefited from the numerous educators, mentors, extended family and friends, and colleagues and neighbors who have continuously supported her journey. She is a member of Our Lady of Victory Roman Catholic Church, Brownstoners of Bedford Stuyvesant, Do The Right Thing Way Block Association, the Junior League of Brooklyn, and a lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
