BIOGRAPHY

Hon. Brenda M. Freedman has been serving our community as a New York State, Erie County Family Court Judge, handling both the Youth Part and the Juvenile Delinquency part for Erie County as well as matters of child abuse/neglect, domestic violence, custody/visitation, child support violations and contested paternity. She is an outstanding jurist. She listens attentively, applies the law fairly and makes sound decisions in a timely manner. She brings both legal acuity and compassion to the bench. 

 

Judge Freedman works equally hard outside the courtroom. She was appointed the lead judge to implement the Raise the Age legislation in the 8 counties of WNY, and to represent the court system on the state-wide task force. She was appointed by the Governor as one of only two judges in the state to serve on the NYS Juvenile Justice Advisory Group (“JJAG”), which appropriates over $2 million in federal funds for juvenile justice programs. Judge Freedman has also created new local programs to support youth and families in WNY including the very successful Restorative Justice program, and the Youth Empowerment Program which celebrates successful youth where Judge Freedman brings Bills players in as a reward, as well as others. 

 

Judge Freedman has won numerous awards including the prestigious Liberty Bell Award from the Bar Association of Erie County (2020) and the Distinguished Alumnus Award from Buffalo Law Review (2023). 

 

Prior to her election on the bench in 2015, Judge Freedman was a specially appointed Court Attorney Referee hearing divorces and family matters, a law clerk to a Supreme Court Judge and a practicing attorney since 1989. 

 

Judge Freedman resides with her husband of 32 years, Marty Mutka. They have three adult children, Nate, Claire and Gabriella, and a much loved grand-dog, Mila.