--- title: "Brenda M. Freedman | KnowJudges" canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brenda-m-freedman" page_type: "judge_profile" updated: "2026-08-02" --- # Brenda M. Freedman Erie County Family Court · Family Court Judge ## Profile - Court: Erie County Family Court - State: New York - Role: Family Court Judge - Service status: active - Last verified: 2026-07-26 ## Summary Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge. ## Biography ### Professional career - Judge, Family Court, Erie County (Youth Part), 2022 to Present - Judge, Family Court, Erie County, Elected, 2016 to 2025 - Family Court Judge (Erie County) — Elected in 2015; re‐elected in 2025 - NYS Unified Court System, Court Attorney-Referee, 2006 to 2014 - NYS Unified Court System, Principal Law Clerk to Justice Vincent Doyle, 2004 to 2006 - Buffalo & Amhurst School District, Teacher, 1995 to 1997 - Freedman & Freedman, Partner, 1993 to 1995 - Spadafora & Verrastro LLP., Associate, 1991 to 1993 - Hodgson Russ LLP., Associate, 1989 to 1991 - Former law clerk to NY Supreme Court Justice Vincent E. Doyle Jr - Creator of Youth Programs — Developed Restorative Justice and Youth Empowerment initiatives in WNY ### Education ### Additional information - Buffalo Council on World Affairs, Executive Director, 1997 to 2000 - Judge Brenda M. Freedman serves in the Erie County Family Court within New York’s 8th Judicial District. - Youth Part Judge — Handles juvenile delinquency, PINS matters, and serious youth felony cases - The record notes that nYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group Member — One of only two judges statewide appointed by the Governor - She has become a central figure in juvenile justice reform, particularly through her leadership in the Youth Part, which handles serious cases involving 16‐ and 17‐year‐olds ## Before you appear - Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed. - Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance. - Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding. ## Courtroom Rules ### recording and photography Scope: statewide New York statewide rules require permission before photographing, filming, videotaping, audiotaping, broadcasting, or telecasting in court facilities, including courtrooms. Evidence excerpt: Taking photographs, films or videotapes, or audiotaping, broadcasting or telecasting, in a courthouse including any courtroom, office or hallway thereof, at any time or on any occasion, whether or not the court is in session, is forbidden, unless permission of the Chief Administrator of the Courts or a designee of the Chief Administrator is first obtained [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ### evidence presentation control Scope: statewide The official Guide to New York Evidence identifies court control over presentation of evidence as a statewide evidence topic; counsel should expect the assigned judge to control the mode and order of proof. Evidence excerpt: 1.07. COURT CONTROL OVER PRESENTATION OF EVIDENCE [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) Source checked: 2026-07-26 ## Sources - [Official profile](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=b7peoOam2fdiY45/N4KbcA%3D%3D) - [Official roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=b7peoOam2fdiY45/N4KbcA%3D%3D) - [New York State Unified Court System Judicial Directory official judicial roster](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=b7peoOam2fdiY45/N4KbcA%3D%3D) - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true) - [Guide to New York Evidence: Article 1, General Provisions and Court's Role](https://www.nycourts.gov/judges/evidence/1-GENERAL/1-generalprovisions.shtml) - [Judicial Directory: Hon. Brenda M. Freedman](https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=b7peoOam2fdiY45/N4KbcA%3D%3D) ## JSON-LD ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebPage", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brenda-m-freedman", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brenda-m-freedman", "name": "Brenda M. Freedman | KnowJudges", "description": "Brenda M. Freedman, Erie County Family Court. Source-linked judicial identity, courtroom procedures, and presentation guidance.", "dateModified": "2026-08-02", "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/#website" }, "mainEntity": { "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brenda-m-freedman#judge" } }, { "@type": "Person", "@id": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brenda-m-freedman#judge", "name": "Brenda M. Freedman", "url": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/brenda-m-freedman", "jobTitle": "Family Court Judge", "worksFor": { "@type": "GovernmentOrganization", "name": "Erie County Family Court" }, "sameAs": [ "https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/judicialdirectory/Bio?judge_id=b7peoOam2fdiY45/N4KbcA%3D%3D" ] }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "KnowJudges", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "New York", "item": "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/state/new-york" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Brenda M. 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[Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26. - [Part 29: Electronic Recording and Audio-Visual Coverage in Court Facilities and of Court Proceedings](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-34fe480ab82f22fa3c31d257) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim. Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.nycourts.gov/rules/part-29-electronic-recording-and-audio-visual-coverage-court-facilities-and-court-proceedings?from_node=15921&topic=386&wrapped=true). Collected 2026-07-26.