Meet Abayomi Whint, the first Nigerian-American judge in New York
Meet Abayomi Whint. A Nigerian born lawyer who arrived in Brooklyn at six years old and has just taken the oath of office as a judge of the Kings County New York Civil Court. Her story blends resilience, family values, legal excellence and a deep belief that justice must serve everyone fairly.
“I am overwhelmed with joy. This is a tremendous honour,” she said during her swearing in at Brooklyn Law School, surrounded by family and friends dressed proudly in white and green.
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An immigrant journey shaped by service
Born in Nigeria, Whint was inspired by her grandfather, a respected magistrate and chief, who instilled in her a passion for justice and leadership. Her father, a nurse, and her mother, an educator and advocate for children, reinforced the belief that community service is a calling.
Those values followed her into the American school system. She graduated cum laude from Connecticut College with distinction in psychology and later earned her law degree from Rutgers School of Law Newark, becoming an associate editor of the Race and the Law Review and a committed advocate for racial justice.
A career built on fairness and community
Whint brings more than 20 years of public sector experience into her new role. Most recently, she served as a legal enforcement attorney in the New York City Fire Department, where she also championed diversity and inclusion initiatives as president of CONNECT, the department’s first affinity group dedicated to civilian staff. She currently sits on the Fire Commissioner’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the Taskforce on Racial Equity and Inclusion.
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Her career spans assistant corporation counsel at the New York City Law Department, deputy managing attorney and administrative law judge at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings and years running her own law practice handling bankruptcy, real estate, family law and civil rights matters. She has also served Brooklyn for more than a decade as a volunteer arbitrator in Small Claims Court.Her colleagues describe her as a tireless advocate for fairness.
“How do we begin to say thank you to someone who has given so much of herself,” said Frank Seddio, retired surrogate court judge. “This is the beginning of a great career in the judiciary.”
Justice that people can feel
Whint’s judicial philosophy is clear. Courts must ensure that every voice is heard. “The legal system should serve everyone equally,” she explained. “When people leave court, they should feel they have been given due process and a fair opportunity to be heard.”
She believes judicial decisions shape the lives of families and neighbourhoods. Her compass remains grounded in restorative justice, mediation and community building. As a certified mediator, arbitrator and restorative circle keeper, she works actively to heal harm, resolve conflict and uplift those who feel excluded from the justice system.
Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, chair of the Brooklyn Democratic Party, celebrated the significance of Whint’s appointment.
“Her journey speaks volumes about the resilience and determination that fuel so many immigrant families,” she said. “With faith and perseverance anything is possible.”
Breaking barriers and inspiring many
Elected as one of eight new judges in Brooklyn in the November 2024 ballot, her elevation has been widely celebrated within New York’s Nigerian community. The Nigerian Consul General, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, hosted a reception in her honour, describing her achievement as a victory for representation and community service.
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Whint describes the role not as a career milestone, but as a purpose. “This is not just a career choice. This is my calling.”
Her arrival on the bench signals a profound message to young immigrants, women in law and communities in search of hope. Whint has vowed to work every day to make Brooklyn “a more just and equitable place for all.”
