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COMMITTEE ON LEGAL AID

The Committee on Legal Aid is charged with the duty of considering methods and proposals for rendering legal aid to the poor and of maintaining a continuing study of the administration of justice as it affects the poor.  It shall make recommendations with regard to remedial measures intended to assist the poor in the protection of their legal rights, to encourage the establishment and efficient maintenance of legal aid organizations, and to cooperate with other associations and agencies, public and private, interested in these objects.

2013 President's Pro Bono Service Awards
The New York State Bar Association is pleased to call for nominations for the 23rd annual President's Pro Bono Service Awards.  Each year, the Association proudly recognizes those who have made an outstanding contribution to ensuring low-income New Yorkers have equal access to justice.  Please see 2013 President's Pro Bono Service Awards and nomination brochure for further information.

Call for Nominations-Award for Outstanding Achievements in Promoting Standards of Excellence in Mandated Representation and the Denison Ray Criminal Defenders Award.  A note from Committee Chair Norman P. Effman:

Dear Colleague:

As Chair of the Committee to Ensure Quality of Mandated Representation of the New York State Bar Association, I am pleased to ask you to consider submitting a nomination for the Denison Ray Criminal Defender Award, for the Award for Outstanding Achievements in Promoting Standards of Excellence in Mandated Representation, or both. The Denison Ray award, named in memory of a career legal activist who led legal services programs in New York and other states, recognizes the extraordinary commitment of public service attorneys who provide zealous and skilled representation to indigent criminal defendants. The Excellence Award recognizes those individuals and organizations whose commitment to surpassing the NYSBA Standards for Providing Mandated Representation to clients in criminal proceedings and Family Court is exemplary.

The nominations brochure sets forth the eligibility criteria for these awards. It may be copied or downloaded from the website at: www.nysba.org/2013CEQMRA.  Nominations may be submitted via e-mail to probono@nysba.org or by regular mail to the Department of Pro Bono Affairs, The New York State Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207.  All nominations must be received by the close of business Monday, May 13, 2013.

 If you know anyone deserving of one of these awards, I encourage you to submit a nomination.  Kindly share information about the Denison Ray and Excellence Awards with your colleagues.

Principles of Leadership and Diversity for New York's Legal Services Community
Civil legal service providers want to ensure that diversity and inclusion are a priority in how we conduct business, practice law and commect with our communities.  Please read more here about the important and valued principles and goals of diversity from New York's civil legal service providers.