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Contact: Brandon Vogel
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February 6, 2008

NOMINEES SOUGHT FOR 2008 LEVINE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN JUVENILE JUSTICE AND CHILD WELFARE

ALBANY--The New York State Bar Association is seeking nominations for the 2008 Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare.

The award is sponsored by the Association’s Committee on Children and the Law and will be presented in the spring at the State Bar Center.  The award recognizes individuals who have done outstanding work to improve New York’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

The Committee on Children and the Law developed the award in 1986.  It is named for Court of Appeals Judge Howard A. Levine, who was the first chair of what was then called the Special Committee on Juvenile Justice.  He has been a strong proponent of the juvenile justice and child welfare systems and a leader in fostering improvements.

“This award publicly acknowledges the dedication of those individuals working to give a voice to the most fragile and vulnerable members of our society,” said Committee Chair Hon. Edward O. Spain, Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department.   “It’s our privilege to honor their selfless contributions and tireless efforts."

Award subcommittee co-chairs are Prof. Merril Sobie of White Plains (Pace University School of Law), and George E. Reed, Jr. of White Plains

Nominees must have worked in the area of juvenile justice and child welfare.  Nominations should include a narrative describing the individual’s efforts to improve New York’s child welfare and juvenile justice systems.  Supporting materials, such as letters in support or letters of reference, should be sent to Committee on Children and the Law, New York State Bar Association, One Elk Street , Albany , NY 12207.  The deadline for nominations is February 28, 2008.

The 2007 recipients were Sarah H. Ramsey, Professor of Law at Syracuse University and Director of the Family Law and Social Policy Center, and Mishi Faruqee, Director of the Juvenile Justice Project at the Correctional Association of New York.   Other past recipients include Justice Spainand Prof. Sobie, Hon. Joseph M. Lauria (New York City Family Court), Hon. Sharon S. Townsend (Erie County Supreme Court), the Hon. Eugene F. Pigott, Jr., NYS Court of Appeals, the Hon. Judith S. Kaye, Chief Judge, NYS Court of Appeals, and Matilda Cuomo, former First Lady of New York State.

The 74,000 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, NYSBA programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years.

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