October 1, 2009
ROCHESTER ATTORNEY WILLIAM G. BAUER HONORED BY STATE
BAR FOR SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO ITS LAW, YOUTH & CITIZENSHIP
PROGRAM
Distinguished Attorney Award recognizes
Bauer’s commitment to the Monroe County Sydney R. Rubin Mock Trial
Program and helping young people better understand our legal system
ALBANY—The New York State Bar Association’s
Law, Youth & Citizenship (LYC) Program will present William G. Bauer
of Rochester (Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP) with its Distinguished Attorney
Award for his tireless dedication, unbridled enthusiasm and outstanding
success in expanding the Monroe County Rubin Mock Trial Program, one of
New York State’s oldest mock trial programs for high school
students.
The award, to be conferred on October 15, 2009 at the
33rd Annual LYC Civics and Law-Related Education Conference in Lake
George, recognizes Bauer’s leadership over the course of the past
seven years. Through his efforts, hundreds of students in high
schools across Monroe Country have had a unique opportunity to sharpen
their critical thinking and speaking skills while gaining a greater
understanding of New York’s legal system and becoming active
community citizens.
The Distinguished Attorney Award recognizes New York attorneys who
make outstanding contributions to law-related education and whose
voluntary service fosters an understanding of the values of our legal
and judicial systems while educating students on the roles that the law,
the courts, law enforcement agencies and the legal profession all play
in society. The awardee also is acknowledged for his or her efforts to
stimulate a deeper sense of individual responsibility by helping
students recognize their duties, as well as their rights; to encourage
effective law-related education programs in their communities and in
their schools; and to increase communication and understanding among
students, educators and those involved professionally in the legal
system.
“As an active leader and volunteer in the Monroe County Mock
Trial Program, William Bauer has been an exemplary educator and role
model for hundreds of high school students, showing them the importance
of the law in their daily lives while encouraging them to be active and
engaged citizens,” said State Bar President Michael E. Getnick
(Getnick Livingston Atkinson & Priore, LLP of Utica and of counsel
to Getnick & Getnick of New York City). “The State Bar
Association is pleased to honor Mr. Bauer’s dedication and
guidance in shaping our future leaders and I congratulate him on winning
this outstanding honor.”
In 2002, Bauer stepped in to take over the mock trial program when
Dr. Peter W. Knapp retired after 26 years directing the program. During
Bauer’s tenure, the program has expanded to more than 180 students
in 12 high schools. “I really believe in the program. For
students, it’s as good an experience as they could possibly get in
what it’s like to be a trial lawyer,” said Bauer. “I
am always impressed by the students’ dedication and devotion and
grateful to members of the bench and bar for giving of their
time.”
Bauer is a partner in Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP’s Labor &
Employment and Litigation Departments. He concentrates his practice in
general business and civil litigation, including corporate/partnership
disputes, employment law, intellectual property, securities and federal
court litigation. A graduate of the State University of New York at
Brockport and of Albany Law School, Bauer previously served four years
as a United States Magistrate Judge for the Western District of New
York.
To nominate someone for the Law, Youth & Citizenship
Program’s Distinguished Educator and Attorney/Justice of the Year
Awards, please go to www.lycny.org. The next
nomination deadline is November 30, 2009.
The 76,000-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. Founded in 1876, State Bar programs
and activities have continuously served the public and improved the
justice system for more than 130 years.
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