September 16, 2010
STATE BAR SEEKS NOMINEES FOR KAY CRAWFORD MURRAY
AWARD
Award honors attorney committed to diversity in
the legal profession and mentoring women attorneys
ALBANY—The New York State Bar Association is seeking nominees
for the 2011 Kay Crawford Murray Award. Sponsored by the Committee on
Women in the Law, the award honors an attorney who recognizes the value
of diversity in the legal profession and who has dedicated his or her
time to advancing the professional development of women attorneys. The
award will be presented at the Committee on Women in the Law luncheon on
Tuesday, January 25, 2011 at the State Bar’s Annual Meeting in New
York City.
“Kay Crawford Murray’s proud legacy of excellence and
mentoring other women has made a profound and tangible difference within
the community and the legal profession. Through this award, we honor
Kay’s many achievements and shine a light on those working so hard
to enhance both diversity and the status of women in the legal
profession,” said Taa R. Grays of New York (MetLife), co-chair of
the Committee on Women in the Law. “By honoring those who are
setting a terrific example by helping others, we also hope that other
attorneys will follow them in this vital work.”
Committee Co-chair Sharon M. Porcellio of Rochester (Ward Greenberg
Heller & Reidy LLP) added, “Kay is a trailblazer who continues
to exemplify only the highest ideals in enhancing diversity in the legal
profession and advancing the professional development of women
attorneys.”
During Ms. Murray’s tenure as chair of the Committee on Women
in the Law, she raised awareness of women’s issues, spearheading a
report that urged the State Bar to propose a model policy for childbirth
and parenting as a guideline for law firms.
Nominees can be attorneys who have had a distinguished legal career
or who are a rising star in the profession. Nominees must: be active
members of one or more bar associations for the purpose of advancing the
professional and personal development of women attorneys; be active
mentors to women attorneys; and be substantial contributors to
increasing the value of diversity in the legal profession.
The deadline for nominations is October 8, 2010. Nomination forms are
available at www.nysba.org/MurrayAward2011. Nominations
should be directed to the Committee on Women in the Law, New York State
Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207, faxed to
518-463-8527, or e-mailed to tmessenger@nysba.org.
Past recipients include Kay Crawford Murray, retired general counsel
of the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice; Marissa C. Wesely
of New York (Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP); and Prof. Jenny Rivera
(City University of New York School of Law).
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. 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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