Honoring a village justice

Lawrence’s village court was established in 1968, and Donald Buchalter has had a role in nearly every case adjudicated in the Village Hall courtroom, aside from vacation and sick days.

Buchalter, 81, was appointed the village’s first prosecutor, and became village justice 12 years later, succeeding Cal Polivey, the original village justice. Nov. 19, which was declared Judge Donald J. Buchalter Day in Lawrence, marked the end of era, as Buchalter retired at a ceremony in Village Hall.

The same room where he prosecuted and then presided over cases such as traffic tickets and violations of village ordinances was filled to capacity with Buchalter’s family, colleagues and village officials. The village honored him by dedicating the courtroom in his name.

Lawrence Mayor Alex Edelman joked about a $50 fine Buchalter ordered him to pay for a traffic ticket before they got acquainted. After the laughs subsided, Edelman praised Buchalter for the job he has done. “A judge has to dispense justice with humor and common sense,” Edelman said. “Judge Buchalter has consistently demonstrated prudent sensitivity coupled with well-reasoned decisions in the administration of justice. For 50 years, Judge Buchalter has been a shining example of integrity and dedication to family, community and the rule of law.”

A Brooklyn native, Buchalter also practices employment law. He moved to Lawrence with his wife, Judith, who was raised in the village. “I liked to treat everybody the same,” he said of adjudicating cases. “Whether they were rich, poor, black, white. They were all individuals, and all entitled to a fair process.”

Village Administrator Ron Goldman, who was acting village justice and village prosecutor before taking on his current job, noted his personal relationship with Buchalter. “My wife, Janet, and I were neighbors to the Buchalters for 38 years,” Goldman said. “And what makes for a good neighbor makes for a good judge.”

Also attending the ceremony were Town of Hempstead Councilman Bruce Blakeman; Lawrence’s associate justice, Simon Gluck; and the chief justice of the Nassau County Supreme Court, Thomas A. Adams. Gluck was offered Buchalter’s position, but declined because of personal and travel commitments. Village Prosecutor Gary Mandel will succeed Buchalter, but did not attend because he was traveling in Israel. Mandel will start his new job on Dec. 19.

Buchalter was first appointed village prosecutor by then Mayor Jay Gordon — who would soon become his brother-in-law. (Buchalter’s wife of 53 years, Judy, is Gordon’s sister.) The two got to know each other as they played golf together at what is now the Lawrence Yacht & Country Club. “He was a bright young local lawyer when I first met him about 54 years ago,” Gordon recalled. “In dispensing justice from this bench, he has been unfailingly fair and even-handed, honest, knowledgeable and empathetic.”

Blakeman presented Buchalter with a certificate of recognition from the town. “When I was driving as a teenager, I knew not to drive too fast though Lawrence,” joked Blakeman, who grew up in Valley Stream. “Because Judge Buchalter was a no-nonsense judge, but he was a fair judge, someone who believed in the law … It’s amazing the career you’ve had,” Blakeman added, addressing the retiree.

Buchalter posed for photos with family members, neighbors and former coworkers. His wife thanked everyone for the honors, and then joked, “Now I can’t get him out of the house on Tuesday night,” when village court is in session. “I’m overwhelmed for the honors he’s received,” Judy added. “I can’t believe it. I know he’s worked here for over 50 years, but something like this is beyond anybody’s imagination.”

Buchalter said he planned to stay active in his law practice and spend more time on the golf course. “I loved being the judge for the Village of Lawrence,” he said. “Sometimes I complained on Tuesday nights when I got back from out of town or from here or there after working hard, but I loved doing it, and I’m going to miss it.”