 |
February 2, 2009
NYS CONFERENCE OF BAR LEADERS RECOGNIZES LOCAL BAR
ASSOCIATIONS WITH AWARDS OF MERIT
The New York State Conference of Bar Leaders has
announced the winners of its 2008 Awards of Merit for local bar
associations. The awards honor local bars for their public service and
innovative programming to enhance the public’s understanding of
the law.
Recipients were honored at a breakfast during the New
York State Bar Association’s 132nd Annual Meeting on January
30 at the Marriott Marquis in New York
City.
Awards were given in three member
categories—small, medium and large bar associations
in New York. They
recognize outstanding programs sponsored by local, ethnic, specialty,
minority and women’s bar associations. The awards program also
informs bar leaders of new activities and programs that promote public
welfare, public understanding of the law, and attorneys’
professional responsibilities.
“Our awards showcase the terrific work that our
local bar associations do every day to make an impact in their
communities,” said Linda J. Clark of Albany(Hiscock
& Barclay LLP), chair of the Conference of Bar Leaders. “I am
pleased to honor this year’s recipients’ exceptional efforts
to help the greater good and improve the public’s confidence in
the justice system.”
Awards were presented to:
- Oneida County Bar Association(small bar association—fewer than 500 members) for its
comprehensive two-part program focused on promoting public awareness of
the issues of wrongful convictions, their causes, consequences, and
cures. More than 700 people attended the Art of Innocence event in
November and helped raise awareness of wrongfully convicted Steven
Barnes, who was exonerated on November 25, 2008.
- American Immigration Lawyers Association –
New York Chapter (medium bar
association—500-1,999 members) for its work with the Executive
Office for Immigration Review in providing pro bono intake and
representation to juveniles who have been apprehended by Immigration and
Customs Enforcement.
- New
York County Lawyers Association (large bar
association—more than 2,000 members) for its Best Practices for Judges in
the Settlement and Trial of Cases Involving Unrepresented Litigants
in Housing Court. The Best
Practices provide guidelines for judges
faced with an exponential increase in unrepresented litigants in housing
cases and guidelines for a more active role for judges in these
cases. When utilized by judges, the Best
Practices will help unrepresented
litigants gain significantly greater access to the judicial
system.
Formed in 1979, the New York State Conference of Bar
Leaders provides a forum for the exchange of information among local bar
leaders, as well as between the state bar and bar leaders.
The 76,000-member New York State Bar Association is
the official statewide organization of lawyers in New
Yorkand 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.
###
|
News Center
