Dear Tonawanda Voters,

In anticipation of the upcoming 2025 election cycle, I write to ask for your vote for Tonawanda City Court Judge.   I have been presiding as part-time City Court Judge since January of 2014. I have spent my eleven years on the bench adding to the legal and courtroom experience which makes me more than qualified for the full-time position. 

My first judicial experience came early in my career, when I was appointed as a Hearing Officer in Buffalo City Court. Due to Buffalo’s high volume of small claims filings, qualified attorneys were appointed on a per diem basis, once per month, to preside over a full day’s small claims cases. From my first year of practice in 2005 through 2007, I independently presided over hearings, received testimony and evidence from each side, and rendered binding opinions. This early experience, over nineteen years ago, greatly influenced me toward my ultimate career goal. I now ask for your support in achieving that goal. 

Prior to my appointment in 2014, I spent nearly ten years of my career practicing as an attorney in local courts throughout Erie and Niagara County. Both day and night, I appeared in front of numerous judges, all with differing styles and legal experience. This exposure to varying judicial temperaments had a key influence on me in developing my own balance and approach to justice. One of my most impactful legal jobs was staff attorney for the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo. Stationed in Buffalo City Court (BCC), this office of twenty attorneys (at the time) handled the majority of BCC’s nearly 20,000 criminal cases filed annually. New attorneys had to quickly adapt to the high level of professional standards expected of this office in a limited amount of time. After working four intense years at Legal Aid, I felt like I received the equivalent of ten years of typical legal experience. 

After leaving the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo I was appointed as Tonawanda Deputy City Attorney in 2010 and also returned to private practice. My duties included working with the City Attorney on drafting local ordinances, advising the Mayor and City Council, and preparing all of the necessary legal documents for city-wide delinquent tax foreclosure proceedings.

Also, among my duties, I served as a City Prosecutor representing the “People” in the prosecution of violation level offenses. This role as prosecutor was my first experience directly working on criminal matters from a complainant/victim perspective.

I now had been responsible for outcomes from all three standpoints of the legal system.

I was born and raised in the City of Tonawanda. I grew up on Steiner Avenue, and have been a lifelong resident. I attended Highland School and graduated from Tonawanda High School in 1993.

After passing the bar, and getting sworn into practice I became active in local politics in the spring of 2005. I am a member and past president of the Bar Association of the Tonawandas.

I am a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club of the Tonawandas.  I maintain membership in the Historical Society of the Tonawandas and was appointed to the City Cemetery Committee in 2023.

Additionally, I am a member of the Sons of the American Legion Post 264, (through my father’s service), where I also volunteer for Lenten fish fry dinners.

I have spent my nearly twenty-year career in preparation for the duties and challenges that this highly honored and crucial office requires. I look forward to meeting with you on the campaign trail and I appreciate your time and consideration for your vote for Tonawanda City Court Judge.

Sincerely,

Dean E. Lilac, Jr., Judge 

Tonawanda City Court