February 2, 2010
BAR ASSOCIATION OF ERIE COUNTY RECEIVES NYS
CONFERENCE OF BAR LEADERS LARGE BAR ASSOCIATION AWARD OF MERIT
Award given for efforts to help veterans and
service members with legal needs
NEW YORK—The New York State Conference of Bar Leaders today
announced that the Bar Association of Erie County has received its 2010
Award of Merit for Large Bar Associations (2,000 members or more). The
awards honor local bars for their public service and innovative
programming that enhance the public’s understanding of the law.
Recipients were honored at a January 29 breakfast during the New York
State Bar Association’s 133rd Annual Meeting at the Hilton New
York in New York City.
The Bar Association of Erie County was honored for creating the
standing Committee on Legal Issues of Veterans and Service Members to
help meet a growing need for coordinated legal services and resources
for service members returning from Afghanistan and Iraq. The committee
organized its efforts into three categories: education, coordination of
local resources and representation. The committee organized monthly
meetings with attorneys and community groups that deal with veterans and
active duty personnel to discuss related legal topics of interest. The
committee also held regular meetings with local agencies and programs
that serve veterans and active duty military in order to increase
awareness and coordinate resources. For example, the committee
coordinated with the Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project
and the Veterans Consortium and National Veterans Legal Services Project
in Washington, D.C. to arrange for free training for attorneys who agree
to represent a veteran before the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans
Claims on a pro bono basis.
“Local bar associations from Long Island to Buffalo play an
important role in educating the public and improving their access to the
justice system with innovative and timely programs that meet real
community needs,” said New York State Bar Association President
Michael E. Getnick (Getnick Livingston Atkinson & Priore, LLP of
Utica and of counsel to Getnick & Getnick of New York City).
“The State Bar is pleased to honor all the honorees for their
terrific work in helping the public. I thank the Bar Association of Erie
County for their excellent efforts on behalf of our military men and
women.”
“The Bar Association of Erie County’s work has given our
service members and veterans the opportunity to find the vital legal
help they need including pro bono representation in critical
instances,” said Linda J. Clark of Albany (Hiscock & Barclay
LLP), chair of the Conference of Bar Leaders. “It is an honor and
privilege to present them with our Award of Merit for their outstanding
work for western New York military men and women who have sacrificed so
much for all of us.”
Awards were given in three member categories—small, medium and
large bar associations in New York. They recognize outstanding programs
sponsored by local, ethnic, specialty, minority and women’s bar
associations. The awards program also serves to inform bar leaders
across the state about new activities and programs that promote public
welfare, public understanding of the law, and attorneys’
professional responsibilities.
Formed in 1979, the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders provides
a forum to exchange information about activities and issues among local
bar leaders, as well as between the state bar and local bar leaders.
Founded in 1876, the 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is
the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the
largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. State Bar
programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved
the justice system for more than 130 years.
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