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For Release: Immediate
September 19, 2012
Contact: Lise Bang-Jensen
Director, Media Services and Public Affairs
Lbang-jensen@nysba.org
518-487-5530
TWO NEW YORK CITY ATTORNEYS RECEIVE THE STATE BAR ASSOCIATION CITATION
FOR SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT IN PUBLIC SERVICE
Two New York City attorneys were honored today by the New York State Bar
Association’s Committee on Attorneys in Public Service (CAPS) for
their outstanding contributions to their communities. Jonathan A.
Darche, an assistant district attorney in Queens County, and Karen J.
Freedman of Lawyers For Children each received the 2012 Citation for
Special Achievement in Public Service.
An assistant district attorney in the Narcotics Investigations Bureau
of the Queens County District Attorney’s Office, Darche has
volunteered for five years at the Youth Court of Queens County, where he
teaches legal theory and practical courtroom skills to high school
students. Working with advisers like Darche, the students are then
assigned cases involving children who are diverted from Family
Court—some of whom, inspired by the process, subsequently enroll
in the program. Darche also participates in STARTrack, a program
dedicated to educating at-risk youths about the dangers of gun
violence.
Freedman is the founder and executive director of Lawyers For Children
Inc. (LFC). Since 1984, the nonprofit organization has provided legal
and social services to vulnerable young people in the foster care
system, including: lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning
youth; victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence; young immigrants;
and those who are mentally ill, require specialized educational advocacy
or are aging out of foster care. Under Freedman’s leadership, LFC
has participated in important class action cases on behalf of youth in
foster care. The organization also has a division devoted to impact
litigation and child welfare policy.
“We are pleased to honor Jonathan Darche and Karen Freedman. They
understand how guiding a child through traumatic legal issues can make a
difference and alter the course of his or her life,” said New York
State Bar Association President Seymour W. James, Jr. (The Legal Aid
Society in New York City).
“Jonathan Darche and Karen Freedman share an admirable commitment
to helping young people. We congratulate them and wish them continued
success as they work to shape the future of countless young people in
New York City,” said CAPS Chair Catherine A. Christian (assistant
district attorney, New York County).
The CAPS award recognizes special achievements of public service
attorneys who have a significant positive impact on the community. This
year’s award ceremony took place in New York City.
The 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest
voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in
1876.
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