My Partner, My Enemy

The problem of domestic violence and partner abuse knows no bounds, can affect anyone, and when kept silent and in the dark can become deadly. Hon. John Leventhal presided over the Brooklyn Felony Domestic Violence Court, the first felony domestic violence part in the nation, since it opened in June 1996 until he was elevated to the appellate court January 2008. While domestic violence has greater social and legal visibility today then it did in the past, the problem still remains a massive and ongoing crisis. My Partner, My Enemy brings truth and reality to a matter that desperately needs to be addressed. So how do we help reduce and eliminate intimate partner abuse, especially when the public knows so little and much goes unreported? By exploring the severity of the problem through true case studies of violent and abusive men, and their motivations, Leventhal successfully brings to light the problem and ways to help.

Hon. John Michael Leventhal, Associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Second Department from 2008 to the present. Justice Leventhal was first elected to the Supreme Court, Second Judicial District in November 1994 and re-elected in 2008, during which time he presided over the nation’s first felony Domestic Violence Court. Prior to his election to the bench, Justice Leventhal was in private practice from 1982 until 1994 specializing in criminal and civil litigation and appeals. Justice Leventhal is a frequent lecturer on evidence, domestic violence, elder abuse, guardianship and other topics before Bar Associations, law schools, civic groups, court administrators and governmental agencies. He has been given the New York State Bar's Annual Vincent E. Doyle, Jr. Award for Outstanding Judicial Contribution in the Criminal Justice System (2017), Brooklyn Bar Association’s Annual Award For Outstanding Achievement in the Science of Jurisprudence and Public Service (2015), the Brooklyn Law School Alumni of the Year Award (2009), the Distinguished Achievement Medal from the New York State Free and Accepted Masons (2008), the Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Beatrice M. Judge Recognition Award (2008) for outstanding service to the women of the Bar, to the community and the law, the New York Board of Rabbis and Dayenu Voices of Valor Elijah Award (2008) for male leadership in ending Domestic Violence, and the National College of District Attorneys Stephen L. Von Riesen Lecturer of Merit Award (2008) in recognition of exceptional service in the continuing professional education of all individuals who work on behalf of domestic violence survivors, their families and our communities. Justice Leventhal has authored or co-authored twenty-three articles relating to criminal and civil law. His work as a judge dealing with domestic violence cases has been featured in a number of newspaper and magazine articles including a profile in Public Lives of the New York Times on April 25, 2001 as well as on MSNBC.