We write as members of New York’s trusts and estates community to express our opinion of Surrogate Lee Holzman. He is, and has long been considered, a shining example of what a judge should be. He is a renowned expert in the field; he is unfailingly courteous and gracious to attorneys and litigants; he is fair and impartial in the administration of justice; he runs a friendly and efficient court; and most important, he has earned a well-deserved reputation for an impeccable character and unquestioned integrity. We cannot let pass without comment the recent article describing the charges against this fine judge before the Commission on Judicial Conduct.
The undersigned know Surrogate Holzman in a variety of settings: as colleagues on numerous volunteer committees, commissions, seminars, etc.; as practitioners in his court; or as members of the trusts and estates bar well acquainted with the judge’s reputation for honesty and dedication. We are a diverse group. Indeed, there may be no other subject upon which we could ever expect to find common ground except this one, our profound and unreserved respect for Lee Holzman as an ethical person and as a conscientious judge.
