We urgently call for the immediate suspension and eventual removal of the following from the practice of law:

• New York City matrimonial Judge Kathleen Waterman Marshall
• Clerk David Collins
• Clerk Ira Liffman
• Clerk Madeleine Robinson

Judge Waterman Marshall and her clerks manage one of the five "parts" handling divorce cases in NYC. This petition arises from numerous allegations of unethical rulings and misconduct that have caused irreparable harm to families, from incarceration of parents to ignoring harm to children. These allegations have been covered by NBC News.

The Evidence

In August 2024, Emmy Award-winning journalist Sarah Wallace aired two segments highlighting some of the alleged misconduct:

• Claims of judicial misconduct
• Uncovering claims of judicial misconduct

In September, nearly 100 prominent NYC matrimonial attorneys published articles defending the judge:

• The ‘Bad Actor Syndrome’ in Matrimonial and Family Law: The Misbehaving Spouse or Parent
• Confidentiality Orders in Divorce Have Teeth
• Bad Things Happen in the Dark: Attorneys Must Speak Up When Misleading News Reports Target Our Judiciary

In response, two advocacy groups, WeSpoke and Waterman Watch, rebutted the attorneys’ claims: 

• The Urgent Need for Transparency in Matrimonial and Family Court
• An Eerie Silence: The Real Bad Actors In New York Family Law

Why This Matters

These stories are all too familiar. Divorcees often feel powerless when a judge appears biased. Too many times, these litigants are dismissed as “bitter,” while the judge claims impartiality.

However, families in Judge Waterman Marshall's court have noticed a troubling pattern: decisions seemed to favor the powerful – typically, wealthy spouses or prominent law firms. This raises questions about the defense by the attorneys since some of these law firms were reportedly involved in the very cases under scrutiny.

The Call for Action

In April 2024, litigants began filing complaints with the Commission on Judicial Conduct (CJC) and court administrators. But as of November 2024, Judge Waterman Marshall and her clerks continue to manage cases, allegedly continuing to cause further harm.

We are requesting:

1. Immediate suspension of the part controlled by Judge Waterman- Marshall, pending a full investigation.
2. Full transparency into the disciplinary process.

The Impact

Judge Waterman Marshall and her clerks have been accused of bias, lack of impartiality and unprofessional behavior, resulting in unjust custody decisions, unfair financial rulings and emotional distress. Their alleged conduct shows a disregard for families’ well-being.

We should not allow individuals who have allegedly failed to uphold justice to continue making life-altering decisions. We must stand up for fairness and protect the rights of all involved, especially the children.

If you or someone you know has been affected by the actions of Judge Waterman Marshall, please get in touch at watermanlitigants@proton.me. Your experience could play a crucial role in the fight for justice.

Please share this petition with your network. Together, we can show that unethical conduct in family court cannot go unchallenged. 

Thank you for supporting this cause.

Stephanie Ross

Update

Judge Kathleen Waterman Marshall was reassigned, but we still need your support.

https://www.nycourts.gov/legacypdfs/courts/1jd/supctmanh/PDF/Judicial-Assignments.pdf

In January 2025, less than two months after this petition was launched, Judge Kathleen Waterman Marshall was transitioned away from the matrimonial part. This means she no longer handles divorce and family law cases. This is a significant step in the right direction, confirming the validity of our concerns. 

The serious allegations of unethical rulings, bias, and disregard for due process are not erased by a change in assignment. We are still seeking transparency into the disciplinary process and a full investigation of the claims.

So, please continue sharing this petition. Let's ensure our call for her complete removal from the bench is heard.