Former Superior Court Judge Torkwase Y. Sekou, Esq.

*** **. ******** ***., ***. 6G NJ 07104

Cell:973-***-**** (f) 973-821-555

Email: ad28rm@r.postjobfree.com

Summary of Qualifications

More than 30 plus years of legal experience, both as a litigator and judge. Serving seven as an Essex County Superior Court Judge, presiding over Civil, Family and Criminal cases. Served two year as a Municipal Court Judge sitting primary in Orange and as needed in at least seven additional Municipalities throughout Essex County. The breadth and scope of these matters were significant, including but not limited to Complex General Commercial Litigation, Child Custody, Murder and Drug charges. Sharp and effective communicator, with strong negotiation skills, leadership used to help expedite numerous cases by acting as a mediator in complex legal matters; many of which resulted in settlements that would have otherwise produced costly trials.

Experience

Resource Teacher (September 1, 2022- Present)

Roberto Clemente Elementary School

257 Summer Ave.

Newark, NZJ 07104

Push in Resource teach for children may have formally in a learning disability class or may need to go into a learning disability class to better address their educational needs. I have a case load of 22 students that follow through out the day to their math classes and Language Arts. I can make my assessments in their actual Language Arts class or Social Studies. If possible I I have my students seating groups of at least 4 so that I can seamlessly flow will the teacher is doing instruction. I use prepare the students (IEP) Individual Educational Plan, to determine whether present placement is appropriate or changes may be implemented in the subject at hand to help the student keep up with primary teachers lesson plans. This may require altering a test using the same objective but fewer steps in math. In reading, I encourage my students to use audible to keep up in reading assignment. For many and language arts I encourage students to use YouTube at home to polish their map skills and all my students are encouraged to use the opportunity of my tutoring after school and Saturday mornings, to prevent from falling behind or to practice test for up coming assignments. I work hand and with home teachers, both language arts and math to stay one step ahead of what will be expect on a weekly basis and make changes that are needed according to each students individual ability.

Partner in the firm of Sekou Law Group Family Law and Meditation

14 South Orange Ave.

South Orange, NJ 07079 (May 2019-May 2020)

Representing victims of domestic violence. Mediation and counseling families and relationships in crisis.

Municipal Court Judge

Orange Municipal Court, Orange NJ 12/14-1/17

Preside primarily over motor vehicle and parking violations, municipal ordinance and code violations, minor criminal type offenses and all other disorderly or petty disorderly offenses. Hearing matters concerning criminal offenses, health code violations, weights and measures, setting bails on serious criminal cases such as robbery, auto theft or assaults that may start out as complaints filed in the Municipal Court and transferred to the Superior Court on the County Level.

Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey

Essex Vicinage, Newark, NJ 05/05-05/12

•Devoted to her pledge to the Constitution of the State of New Jersey, steadfastly administered the law and assured the legal process was conducted fairly.

•Demonstrated track record of fairness in conducting arraignments, pretrial dispositions, conferences, calendar calls, jury and non-jury trials.

•Instructed juries on applicable law and directed jurors to deduce facts from evidence presented.

•Certified knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules.

•Conducted and controlled proceedings; elicited pertinent information, and focused litigants and attorneys on relevant issues.

•Presided over hearings, listening to allegations made by plaintiffs to determine whether the evidence supported the charges.

•Sentenced defendants in criminal cases according to sentencing guidelines.

•Used logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

•Identified complex problems and reviewed related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

•Appraised factual situations and make appropriate decisions promptly and in accordance with the law.

•Researched current case law as it applied to issues presented, and if needed prepared written opinions.

•Effectively managed court staff, by fostering dialogue and communication; appropriately delegated responsibilities.

•Demonstrated efficiency in docket management.

State of New Jersey Department of the Public Advocate

Office of the Public Defender- Adult Region, Newark, NJ 07/91-05/05

•Represented indigent criminal clients in New Jersey Superior Court—Essex Vicinage

•Tried 300+ criminal cases, both jury and non-jury, involving allegations of homicides, robberies, carjackings, aggravated sex assaults, drug and other illegal possessory crimes, resulted in a high percentage of favorable verdicts on behalf of clients.

•Ensured that the constitutional rights of the defendant were always protected.

•When appropriate, negotiated with prosecutors to reduce pending charges of the client.

•Assisted clients by giving instructions on how to present themselves during court proceedings.

•Performed the task of gathering information by taking consideration of the evidence and legal circumstances of the crime.

•Responsible for examining and cross-examining witnesses, both expert and lay witnesses.

•Ability to humanize defendant to the jury in spite of the charges alleged.

•Summarized charges to the jury in a clear manner.

Essex County College- Adjunct Professor

Newark, NJ 09/95-09/98

Instructed students studying for an Associates Degree in Paralegal Studies and Criminal Justice.

Superior Court of New Jersey- Law Clerk to the Honorable Shirley A. Tolentino

Hudson Vicinage, Jersey City, NJ 09/89 – 09/90

Jersey City Board of Education- Teacher, Special Education K-12

Jersey City, NJ 09/83-09/90

•Taught students, through sign language, by providing individualized instruction, based on their limited ability to communicate verbally; used innovative methods to integrate multiple learning styles.

•Worked with parents to learn to communicate effectively with their children.

•Area of expertise included but was not limited to, language instruction of autistic, deaf and hearing impaired students.

Education

Seton Hall University 1989

Newark, NJ Juris Doctor

New York University 1983

New York, NY Master of Arts, Deafness Rehabilitation

Kean College of NJ 1982

Union, NJ Bachelor of Arts, Special Education, Speech and Hearing Science

Recognitions

* Guest News Correspondence responding to the latest Criminal and Family issue

* Featured Legal Correspondent “For Your Man” and “Fatal Attraction” TV ONE

* 2015 Keynote Speaker FedCap High School

* Legal Debate Judge University High School 2015-20019

•Hall of Fame Inductee, Asbury Park High School, Asbury Park, NJ (2010)

•Influencer on Facebook “A Conversation with JudgeT”

•Instagram: JudgeT

•YouTube: Sistas and Law

•Twitter: JudgeT

•Keynote Speaker of the NAACP 100th Anniversary, Bedford County, VA (2009)

•Who's Who of Black Judges in America (2008)

•Recognized as an Outstanding Chapter Member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Rho Kappa Omega Graduate Chapter – Jersey City, NJ (2005)(2019)

•Panelist, Color of Justice – Newark, NJ (2005-2018)

Affiliations

•Essex County Bar Association

•Garden State Bar Association

•National Women Judge’s Association

•American Bar Association, Past Member.

•Jack and Jill of Greater Essex

•St. Matthew’s AME, Orange NJ

•National Bar Association, Past Member

•Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.

•National Action Network Member

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