| The award, named in memory of Denison Ray, a career legal activist who led legal services programs in New York and other states, is intended to recognize the extraordinary commitment of public service attorneys who provide zealous and skilled representation to low income and disadvantaged clients. Two awards will honor staff attorneys at nonprofit entities that provide civil legal services and two awards will be presented to staff attorneys employed by Public Defender, Conflict Defender, and/or Legal Aid Offices that represent indigent defendants in criminal court proceedings.
Established in 2006, an award also will be presented to a director of a civil legal services, criminal defender, or pro bono program. In addition, an award will be presented to a non-profit organization that provides, or facilitates the provision of civil legal services to low income and/or disadvantaged clients.
Each individual attorney award recipient will receive a recognition award plaque, a cash award of $250, and a one-year, free membership in the New York State Bar Association. The nonprofit organization honoree will receive a cash award of $1000 to be used to increase the organization’s capacity to serve people in need of legal services through pro bono efforts. |
