April 20, 2011
COURT OF APPEALS JUDGE CARMEN BEAUCHAMP CIPARICK WINS
STATE BAR’S GEORGE BUNDY SMITH PIONEER AWARD
ALBANY—Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick, senior associate judge of the
New York State Court of Appeals, is the recipient of the New York State
Bar Association’s 2011 George Bundy Smith Pioneer Award.
“Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick has enjoyed a long and
groundbreaking career in the law. She is an extraordinary judge, whose
passion for the law is equaled only by her love for people. Many
attorneys rightfully recognize her as a role model and exemplar of the
profession,” said Commercial and Federal Litigation Section Chair
Jonathan D. Lupkin of New York (Flemming Zulack Williamson Zauderer).
“We are honored to present this award to Judge Ciparick in
recognition of her jurisprudence and commitment to inspiring attorneys
of color to join the legal profession.”
Judge Ciparick made history by being the first Hispanic to serve on
New York’s highest court. She has served on the Court of Appeals
since January 1994. In 1978, she was appointed judge of the New York
City Criminal Court where she was the first Hispanic woman to serve on a
court of record in New York State while also being one of the
state’s youngest judges. In 1982, Judge Ciparick was elected to
the New York State Supreme Court where she served until her appointment
to the Court of Appeals. She graduated from Hunter College and St.
John’s University School of Law.
The award, sponsored by the Commercial and Federal Litigation
Section, recognizes lawyers who demonstrate commitment to legal
excellence, community service and mentoring.
Past recipients of the George Bundy Smith Pioneer award include:
Norman Lau Kee and Glenn Lau-Kee (Kee & Lau-Kee); Elaine R. Jones
(president and director-counsel emeritus, NAACP - Legal Defense and
Educational Fund LDF); Cesar A. Perales (president and general counsel,
Puerto Rican Legal Defense and Education Fund); and Judge Smith
himself.
The New York State Bar Association with 77,000 members is the largest
voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in
1876.
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