January 22, 2013

RETIRED JUSTICE SONDRA MILLER RECEIVES
STATE BAR’S KAY CRAWFORD MURRAY AWARD

Sondra Miller, retired associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, is the recipient of the Kay Crawford Murray Award, given by the Committee on Women in the Law of the New York State Bar Association.

The award, which Miller received on January 22 during the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City, recognizes an attorney who enhances diversity in the profession and advances the professional development of female attorneys. It is named for Kay Crawford Murray, a past chair of the Committee on Women in the Law.

“Justice Miller had a history of firsts throughout her distinguished career. From being a member of Harvard Law School’s first class of admitted women to her historic appointment in the Second Department, she has risen to every occasion and served with grace and integrity,” said Sharon M. Porcellio of Rochester (Ward Greenberg Heller & Reidy), co-chair of the Committee on Women in the Law. “We are delighted to present this award to a true trailblazer.”

“During her six decades of law practice, Sondra Miller has achieved extraordinary success and inspired lawyers with her dedication to justice. She has helped many attorneys find their passion and achieve their goals,” said Anna S. Park of Manhattan (Zeichner Ellman & Krause), co-chair of the Committee on Women in the Law. “It is fitting that we recognize her achievements.”

Miller served as a Family Court judge in Westchester County from 1983 to 1986. She was elected to the state Supreme Court, Ninth Judicial District in 1986. Four years later, she became the first woman in the Ninth Judicial District to be appointed to the Appellate Division, Second Department.

From 2004-2006, she chaired the New York State Unified Court System Matrimonial Commission, which provided a blueprint for divorce reform in the state. She later served as director of the Office of Family Services of the Office of Court Administration. She retired from the bench in 2006 and is now chief counsel at the law firm of McCarthy Fingar in White Plains.

Within the State Bar Association, Miller is a past recipient of the Ruth G. Schapiro Award and the Howard A. Levine Award for Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare.

Kay Crawford Murray, for whom the award is named, is former general counsel for the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice. She chaired the State Bar’s Committee on Women in the Law. She directed a report that proposed a model sexual harassment policy for law firms. 

The 76,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

-30-