March 6, 2009
NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION SEEKS NOMINEES FOR
ROOT/STIMSON AWARD
Prestigious award recognizes substantial
contributions lawyers make to society
ALBANY - The New York State Bar Association is seeking nominees for
its 2009 Root/Stimson Award, which is presented annually to a lawyer who
has demonstrated a significant, positive impact in the community, state
or nation, unrelated to the practice of law.
To be considered for the prestigious award, nominees must be a member
of the New York Bar and should personify the spirit of community
altruism. They should demonstrate selfless dedication in donating their
time and skills to activities that enhance the community and the
public’s opinion of the legal profession. The 2009 Root/Stimson
Award winner will be announced at the State Bar’s June meeting of
the House of Delegates in Cooperstown.
“Lawyers have always had an outstanding tradition of community
service, but there are a select few that continually go above and beyond
the call of duty. From improving public education to developing new
programs for disadvantaged children, they make a profound difference in
their communities by helping the public,” said Committee on Annual
Award Chair G. Robert Witmer, Jr. of Rochester (Nixon Peabody, LLP).
“We are pleased to again honor those committed to improving the
lives of others.”
“Each year, the Root/Stimson Award winner inspires us to better
serve our communities,” said Subcommittee on the Root/Stimson
Award Chair Paul Michael Hassett of Buffalo (Brown & Kelly, LLP).
“We look forward to honoring yet another great role model for
lawyers and the community at large.”
The Root/Stimson Award, created in 1974, was named for distinguished
lawyers Elihu Root and Henry Stimson to honor their commitment to public
service. Root served in Theodore Roosevelt’s administration as
Secretary of State and was a 1912 Nobel Peace Prize laureate; while
Stimson served in the Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration as
Secretary of War during a time of national crisis.
Past award recipients include: Charles C. Russo of Hauppauge (Russo,
Karl, Widmaier & Cordano, PLLC ); Stephen J. Dannhauser of New York
City (Weil, Gotshal & Manges); Arnold B. Gardner of Buffalo
(Kavinoky & Cook); Michael P. Leone of Rochester (Harris, Chesworth,
O’Brien, Johnstone, Welch & Leone); Wayne D. Wisbaum of
Buffalo (Kavinoky & Cook); and the late Hanna Cohn of Rochester
(Volunteer Legal Services Project).
Nomination forms, which must be postmarked by Friday, April 17, and
application instructions are available for download at www.nysba.org. Completed forms should be mailed to Susan
Fitzpatrick, Department of Media Services & Public Affairs, New York
State Bar Association, One Elk Street, Albany, NY 12207.
The 76,000 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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