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Maura Kennedy-Smith for County Judge

The Choice We Need for Tompkins County

EXPERIENCE

INTEGRITY

JUSTICE

Meet Judge Kennedy Smith

Judge Maura Kennedy-Smith, an Ithaca native and mother of two, is running as a Democrat to be the first woman elected to the Tompkins County bench in over 30 years.  See more about Tompkins County Court here.

Judge Kennedy-Smith is highly respected in the legal community for her keen legal mind and tireless work ethic.  She has served the past ten years as Principal Court Attorney for Tompkins County Court Judge Joseph R. Cassidy while at the same time serving as a judge in the Town of Lansing.

Before becoming a judge, Judge Kennedy-Smith worked for 15 years as an attorney. She has dedicated her life to public service, with a special passion for representing children, families, and other underserved populations.

Fair and compassionate, Judge Maura Kennedy-Smith is the choice we need for Tompkins County.

The Candidate With Meaningful Experience

Why I Am Running

Commitment to justice and community welfare

To serve as a County Judge is to embrace a profound commitment to justice and community welfare. A county judge makes decisions every day, decisions which can have an indelible impact on families.

Seeing people, not numbers

I weigh each of these difficult decisions with great care, understanding that what I do on the bench isn’t just a legal decision, it is a decision which impacts the lives of real people. No human being is a number to me, which is why I treat each case with the gravity and care it deserves. Whether working with families and felony defendants in county court or misdemeanor-level defendants in town court, I work hard to be prepared, fair, compassionate and kind to every person who appears in front of me.

Experienced Criminal Lawyer

I have an extensive background in criminal law, serving 11 years as a defense attorney, in the courtroom and at the appellate level. I brought cases that set important precedent in New York State and have worked on dozens of high-level felony jury trials.

Committed to Fair and Just Outcomes

Throughout my legal career, I have worked hard to address pressing issues we face, such as children’s welfare, intimate partner violence, and substance use. During my 17 years of experience in Tompkins County Court, I have witnessed the transformative impact a compassionate and skilled judge can have. That is the Judge I strive to be, a judge committed to due process for all to ensure fair and just outcomes.

Bringing a new perspective

Recent events have shown us the importance of equal representation on the bench. Presently we have three County Court Judges. None are women. The bench should reflect the demographics of our community. Having judges with comparable lived experiences to those who appear in County Court makes people appearing in court feel represented, respected, seen and heard. As a mother, and someone who already has spent 17 years in Family Court, I know many of the cases will be hard to hear, but I would be honored to lend both my legal expertise and lived experience to this critical process.

Ready to Go

I hope you will vote to make me the first woman elected to the Tompkins County bench in over 30 years. I am ready to assume this important responsibility from day one, and believe my legal background and lived experience makes me the right woman for the job.

Commitment to justice and community welfare
Seeing people, not numbers
Experienced Criminal Lawyer
Committed to Fair and Just Outcomes
Bringing a new perspective
Ready to Go

Supporters

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Nicole Kuhn

Nicole Kuhn

Programmer

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Melissa Cronenberg

Melissa Cronenberg

Executive Director

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Patrick Wise

Patrick Wise

Manager

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Nicole Kuhn

Nicole Kuhn

Programmer

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.

Melissa Cronenberg

Melissa Cronenberg

Executive Director

Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.

Patrick Wise

Patrick Wise

Manager

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Counting Down to Election Day

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ON NOVEMBER 5, 2024, VOTE FOR MAURA KENNEDY-SMITH IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.

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