Buffalo, N.Y. — Following weeks of anticipation, Phillip Dabney Jr. has officially been appointed the new judge of Buffalo City Court’s Housing Court. Judge Dabney, 55, brings substantial experience, having served as a temporary judge in Housing Court multiple times earlier this year, an experience he and others feel have well-prepared him for his new role.
Judge Kevin Carter, from the Eighth Judicial District, shared high praise for Dabney’s earlier assignments in Housing Court. He highlighted Dabney’s serious approach and eagerness for the position, both of which played a key part in determining the recent appointment. Bringing forth his background as a lifelong resident of Buffalo, Dabney previously practiced as a private attorney for 17 years and provided legal counsel for the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority for two years before being initially appointed to the City Court by then-Mayor Byron Brown in December 2020.
In a recent twist to his judicial responsibilities, Judge Dabney started presiding over a specialized lead court in April, dealing with housing violations specifically related to lead paint, as cited by the Erie County Department of Health. This addition to his judicial duties underscores the pressing issues facing many in housing situations that still suffer from outdated health and safety standards.
Dabney succeeds Patrick Carney, who retired earlier this month after three decades of commendable service, including 14 years focusing solely on Housing Court cases. Carter applauded Carney’s dedication and emphasized his commitment to always striving for judicial fairness, despite criticism from some quarters concerning the prolonged duration of cases and the reluctance to impose fines on property owners with violations.
Further, Carter expressed his intentions to reinstate the Housing Court advisory council, dormant for almost 30 years. He remains optimistic about Judge Dabney’s involvement with the advisory council, which would oversee the court’s operations and offer recommendations.
Judge Dabney’s personal life is also interwoven with public service, as he is married to Crystal Rodriguez-Dabney, a former deputy mayor and chief of staff in the Brown administration. After leaving the city government, she served as the vice president and chief diversity officer at Roswell Park and was also appointed as Buffalo’s representative on the board of the Western Regional Off-Track Betting Corp.
Significantly, Judge Dabney has not been without controversy. He faced lawsuits for malpractice from two former clients in 2015, both alleging inadequate representation. In these cases, the clients accused him of failing to effectively communicate and missing crucial filing deadlines that led to negative outcomes in their respective situations.
Despite attempts to reach them for comments, both Dabney and Carney were unavailable. As Buffalo’s Housing Court embraces a new chapter with Judge Dabney’s leadership, the community watches with a blend of hope and scrutiny, expecting bold steps towards addressing longstanding issues within the city’s housing framework.
Lastly, readers should note that this article was automatically generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Concerns or requests for corrections can be directed to [email protected].