Hon. Jhilmil "Jill" Ghaleb
Candidate for the
Otsego County Court

• I am running for Otsego County Court Judge for the same reason that I sought and obtained the judicial appointment: to make a positive difference in the lives of those who turn to the court for enforcement of the law and resolution of problems. I was rated "highly qualified" for the appointment by the NYS Judicial Screening Committee, and have been on the bench since May. As Otsego County Court Judge, I preside over three courts: Family Court, Surrogate's Court, and County Court with its criminal and civil divisions. The types of cases that I handle as a judge are a continuation of the types of cases I handled as an attorney for seventeen years. I represented family law clients on all sides of the courtroom, including over 700 children as their law guardian. I have extensive experience and training in Treatment Court. I did estate work both at a firm and in my solo practice. Additionally, I defended numerous persons on misdemeanor and felony charges. Thus, transitioning from attorney to county judge felt natural to me. The bulk of the caseload that I handle as a judge, 70-80%, is in Family Court. This is a great match for me as family law has always been my passion.

• Democrat
• Working Families

• New York Law School, J.D., 1990
• Utica College of Syracuse University, B.S., 1986

• New York 1991

• Otsego County Court Judge

• Otsego County Court Judge, May 2008 - present.
• Solo practitioner, 14 years.
• Assistant Otsego County Attorney, 12 years.
• Associate, Kalil & Kalil, P.C., 3 years.