|
Contact: Jon
Sullivan
Dept. of Media Services
jsullivan@nysba.org
518-487-5532
January 31, 2008
DAVID A. KOCHMAN EARNS STATE BAR ASSOCIATION'S
OUTSTANDING YOUNG LAWYER AWARD
28-Year Old Lawyer
Demonstrates Commitments to the Legal Profession &
Community
David A. Kochman, a 28-year old
associate of Anderson Kill & Olick (New
York ), has been selected to
receive the 2008 Outstanding Young Lawyer Award by the New York State
Bar Association’s Young Lawyer Section, Section Chair Valerie M.
Cartright - Hempstead (Law
Offices of Frederick K. Brewington) announced today. The award is
presented annually to a young lawyer who has rendered outstanding
service to both the community and the legal profession and has a
distinguished record of commitment to the finest traditions of the Bar
through public service and professional activities.
“David Kochman is a rising star in
the legal profession who demonstrates a superior legal mind and
unwavering compassion for the people he helps,” said Section Chair
Valerie M. Cartright. “Through his actions, including vital pro
bono services for the underprivileged, working on behalf of victims of
injustices, and mentoring young people, David has earned this honor. The
Young Lawyers Section is proud to celebrate this special award with Mr.
Kochman and with our entire Association.”
Devoting substantial time and
effort to pro bono issues Mr. Kochman serves as post-conviction counsel
to a prisoner on death row in Alabama, for
whom he recently won an appeal before the 11th Circuit reinstating the
client’s habeas petition. Other pro bono projects include
co-founding the Hurricane Insurance Claim Help Library, an online
resource for individual hurricane victims; serving as attorney-coach for
a Harlem high school
in the NYSBA’s Mock Trial Tournament; and defending a Tibetan
asylum applicant in removal proceedings. Last year, Mr. Kochman was
honored as a New York State Bar Association Empire State Counsel for
providing more than 50 hours of pro bono service in a single
year.
While attending law school, Mr. Kochman
co-founded the Cardozo Public Law, Policy & Ethics Journal and
served as Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor and Symposia Editor.
Previously, he also interned with the Legal Aid Society of New York City
representing criminal defendants and worked for the Deputy Speaker of
the Israeli Knesset.
Mr. Kochman received his Juris
Doctor from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and a B.A. in Philosophy
from Emory University. He is admitted to practice in New
York and before the United States
District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts
of New Yorkand
the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth
Circuit.
“To me, the law is a blanket
which envelops and connects our whole society.. A lawyer’s
job is to tend that blanket. In doing
so, a lawyer is able to positively impact the greater community by
ensuring that the law functions as it should; an embodiment of our
collective values and principles,” said 2008 Outstanding Young
Lawyer David Kochman. “I am humbled and touched by this award
and the support I’ve received.”
Award
Background
The Young Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar Association
solicits nominees for the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award every
year. To qualify for the Outstanding
Young Lawyer Award lawyers must be admitted to practice
in New
York Stateand
have practiced for fewer than 10 years. Nominees must be involved
primarily in the active practice of law as distinguished from those
engaged in business or in elected office.
Previous winners include Laurie
Giordano of Rochester (Wolford
& LeClair LLP), Michael C. Rakower of New York
City (Law Office of Michael C.
Rakower), Elissa D. Hecker of Irvington, Elizabeth A. Wolford
of Rochester (Wolford
& Leclair, LLP), Clyde J. Eisman of Manhattan and current
State Bar Association President Kathryn Grant Madigan
of Binghamton(Levene Gouldin & Thompson LLP).
###
| 
News Center
