Politics

Meet Judge David M. Ascher, Candidate for Rockland County Court

Published

2 years ago

January 23, 2024

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY – Judge David Ascher seeks election to the Rockland County Court, a court that hears felony criminal matters. He currently serves as a Clarkstown Town Justice, as well as running a busy law practice in New City, NY since 2005. Judge Ascher has presided over a variety of criminal and civil cases filed in Clarkstown since becoming a Town Justice in 2015. He also previously worked as a Village Prosecutor and Assistant District Attorney, both in Rockland County.

TOWN JUSTICE – TOWN OF CLARKSTOWN, NY (January 2015 –Present)

Oversee case load of approximately 300 cases monthly
Conducts Hearings and Trials for Criminal, Civil, Landlord/Tenant and Vehicle & Traffic Matters
Manage financial aspects of Court, collect fine monies, authorizes deposits, approval of monthly financial statements

DAVID M. ASCHER – ATTORNEY AT LAW, Chestnut Ridge, N.Y.

Founder/Principal, January 2005 – Present

Created and manages legal office, including client management, finances and organizational growth
Conducts litigation including, depositions, trials and appellate arguments in State and Federal Courts
Assisted in the Creation and Filing of Condominium Plans
Manages client interests and communication for diverse clientele including Commercial, Land-Use, Corporate, Development and Criminal Clients
Represents lenders and provides financial counsel to private and commercial lenders
Drafts, negotiates and closes hundreds of real estate transactions from contract through closing
Conducts legal research, including identification of legal issues, research of statutes, and case law
Conducts persuasive presentations before Town/Village Planning and Zoning Boards
Represents Condominium Boards and Management Companies

VILLAGE PROSECUTOR – South Nyack, Chestnut Ridge, Spring Valley & Airmont N.Y. (2009-2014)

Prosecuted NYS Trooper issued Vehicle and Traffic Violations
Prosecuted and resolved Village Code Enforcement Matters
Negotiated and interacted with both individuals and attorneys for resolutions
Managed a monthly and bi-monthly Court calendar of nearly 40 cases per scheduled appearance

DORFMAN, LYNCH, KNOEBEL & CONWAY, LLP. Nyack, N.Y.

Litigation Associate, December 2003 – December 2004

Handled all aspects of law, including Complaints, Notice of Claims, Article 78 Petitions, Discovery, Motions and Appeals
Represented interests of Builder/Developer clients in all aspects of development of property from contract through Municipal Approval to Residential and/or Commercial Closing
Conducted Depositions and Jury Trials focused on Civil Rights, Land Use, Zoning, Real Estate and Property Law
Conducted presentations before Planning, Town/Village and Zoning Boards throughout Region

OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF ROCKLAND COUNTY, New City, N.Y.

Assistant District Attorney, August 2002 – December, 2003

Prosecuted all aspects of crimes in Rockland County, New York
Drafted criminal complaints, search warrants, wire-tap applications, and legal motions
Earned the earliest jury trial conviction for a new assistant in the 2001/2002 class
Managed case-load of 400 active cases throughout the county

Conducted numerous bench trials, jury trials and Grand Jury presentations
Oversaw and Managed Interns and Hiring Process

NEW YORK STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL – ORGANIZED CRIME TASK FORCE, White Plains, N.Y.

Legal Intern, June, 2000 – December, 2000

Prepared petitions and orders on Civil Forfeiture cases to New York State Supreme Courts
Drafted and edited attorney and law enforcement affidavits
Conducted legal research regarding criminal issues including Wiretap and Pen Register Law
Analyzed wiretapped phone conversations
Assisted New York State Police in undercover criminal investigations

EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE

PACE UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF LAW, White Plains, N.Y.

Juris Doctorate: May, 2002
Pace Law National Moot Court Team Member
Dean’s List
Criminal Justice Society (Founding Member and Officer)

UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND, Kingston, R.I.

Bachelor’s Degree, Political Science: December, 1998
Minor(s) Spanish Language Studies and Human Development & Family Studies
Dean’s List

COMMUNITY & PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

Rockland County Magistrates Association
NYS Magistrates Association
Clarkstown Soccer Club Coach
Clarkstown Girls Softball League Coach
Make-a-Wish, Hudson Valley
Rockland County Bar Association – Co-Chair Real Estate Committee; Mock Trial Committee
Host of RCBA Mock Trial Competition
Leadership Rockland Speaker on NYS Court System
Teen Leadership Rockland Mock Trial Host
New City Rotary Member

Politics

Brett Yagel Announces Candidacy for New York State Assembly in 96th District

Published

3 months ago

January 19, 2026

Rockland Report Editor

ROCKLAND COUNTY, NY — Brett Yagel, the former Mayor of the Village of Pomona has officially announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly in the 96th District.

Below you can read Yagel’s full announcement:

“I am proud to announce that I am seeking the support of the Republican and Conservative Parties as a candidate for the New York State Assembly in the 96th District.
I am not a career politician. I am a problem solver. As Mayor and as a professional working for one of the world’s largest defense contractors, I have spent my career focused on results, accountability, and getting complex jobs done the right way. Leadership and responsibility are not abstract concepts to me. They are values I have lived every day in public service and in the private sector.

Albany is broken. It is dominated by career politicians who create problems, expand government, and then ask for more power to fix the very messes they created. The people of the 96th District deserve better than politics as usual.

Our district needs a leader with real world experience, common sense, and the courage to challenge the status quo. I am ready to bring accountability, fiscal responsibility, and practical,
results driven solutions to Albany. Most importantly, I will be a strong and independent voice for the hardworking families of the 96th District.

If you are tired of excuses and ready for real results, I would be honored to earn your support.”

Yagel will running against incumbent Assemblyman Patrick Carroll.

Politics

Congressman Mike Lawler Announces Bid for Reelection to Congress, Will Not Run for Governor

Published

9 months ago

July 23, 2025

Rockland Report Editor

Rockland County, NY — Congressman Mike Lawler, a lifelong Rockland County resident and graduate of Suffern High School, officially announced today that he will seek reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives, putting to rest speculation that he might enter the race for Governor of New York.

Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, said his decision to remain focused on Congress reflects his commitment to continuing the work he’s started on behalf of Hudson Valley residents. Since taking office in January 2023, Lawler’s office has closed over 6,000 constituent service cases and successfully returned more than $27.2 million to residents throughout the district.

One of his signature achievements has been his leadership in reforming the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction cap. Under Lawler’s advocacy, the SALT cap was quadrupled to $40,000, providing significant tax relief to middle-class families across the region for the next ten years.

Lawler’s decision not to run for governor preserves his role as a key Republican voice in a competitive swing district, and positions him for what is expected to be a closely watched race in 2026.
About Congressman Mike Lawler:

New York’s 17th Congressional District, includes Rockland and portions of Westchester and Putnam County.