These awards recognize how bar associations adapt to the needs of their members and the community at large by introducing new programs, ideas and methodologies that benefit everyone involved.
Contact: Kim McHargue
Updated Deadline: June 5, 2023
Date Presented: As scheduled with each winning bar association.
Categories for Nomination:
Awards are presented to associations in each of the categories listed below:
• Smaller Bar Associations (fewer than 500 members)
• Medium Bar Associations (500 – 1,999 members)
• Larger Bar Associations (2,000 members or more)
• Emerging Bar Associations (Officially Incorporated 10 years or less)
Eligibility:
Projects and programs designed and significantly implemented between January 1, 2022, and December 31, 2022, are eligible for consideration. Projects that were in place prior to January 1, 2022, are also welcome for consideration if innovations were made to the existing project that enhanced its scope and impact. Nominated programs should:
- Involve or affect most of the members of the sponsoring association (or)
- Make a significant contribution to the bar and the public.
The criteria for evaluation of the nominations are:
- Effect of the project on the bar and/or the public
- Ingenuity and creativity in planning the project
- Overall quality of the project
Examples:
- Innovative Law Day Programs
- Pro Bono Projects
- Public Service Programs
- Youth and Adult Day Law Regulated projects
- New Member Services
Prize Awarded: Plaque
PAST RECIPIENTS:
2021
Small Bar Association
Central New York Women’s Bar Association | Read Across America program in Syracuse
Medium Bar Association
Westchester County Bar Association | Public Service and Community Outreach Task Force
Large Bar Association
Asian American Bar Association of New York | Anti-Asian Violence Task Force
2020
Small Bar Association
Dominican Bar Association | Donating and delivering $10,000 worth of essential foods to at-risk families in the South Bronx
Muslim Bar Association of New York | Collaborating on programming for their members and communities most affected by COVID-19
Medium Bar Association
Metropolitan Black Bar Association | Collaborating on programming for their members and communities most affected by COVID-19
Onondaga County Bar Association | Bond, Schoeneck & King Series on Race and Justice in Central New York
Large Bar Association
Asian American Bar Association of New York | A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence Against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19.
New York County Lawyers Association | COVID-19 Resource Center for lawyers
2019
Small Bar Association
Rochester Black Bar Association | J.U.S.T. L.A.W program
Medium Bar Association
Asian American Bar Association of New York | Pro Bono Legal Advice and Referral Clinic program
Large Bar Association
New York County Lawyers Association | Veterans Discharge Upgrade Pro Bono program
Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York | The Promotion Project
2018
Small Bar Association
Rensselaer County Bar Association | Restoration of artwork and historic artifacts at the Rensselaer County Courthouse
Medium Bar Association
Onondaga County Bar Association | Creation of Veterans’ Rights and Military Law Section
Large Bar Association
Suffolk County Bar Association | “Another Night” Video Project
Emerging Bar
Caribbean Attorneys Network Program | “What the Health: Mental Health Among Professionals of Color
2017
Small Bar Association
Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys I Creation of the Lawyers Committee on Racial Justice
Large Bar Association
New York County Lawyers Association | Pro Bono Program on Certificates of Relief from Civil Disabilities / Certificates of Good Conduct and New York’s New Sealing Law
2016
Small Bar Association
The Association of Black Women Attorneys | Power Brunch Series
The Dominican Bar Association | Let’s Chat Series
Medium Bar Association
The Asian American Bar Association of New York’s | Seventh Annual Fall Conference: Speak Up / Rise Up / Lift Up
The Metropolitan Black Bar Association | Inaugural Back-To-School Backpack Donation Drive (“Backpack Donation”)
Large Bar Association
The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) | Voter Registration Project
Emerging Bar
The Caribbean Attorneys Network, Inc. | The Conversation:“Something Has to Give” Event
2015
Small Bar Association
Hispanic National Bar Association Region II (New York) | Nail and Hair Salon Business Owner’s Breakfast Clinic
Medium Bar Association
The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York | Hiring of a New Legal Director
2014
Small Bar Association
The New Rochelle Bar Association’s | Lawyer in the Classroom
Large Bar Association
The New York County Lawyers’ Association | State Central Registry (SCR) Pro Bono Project
2013
Small Bar Association
The Network of Bar Leaders | Rapid response providing assistance to Superstorm Sandy victims by partnering with the Federal Bar Association, New Orleans Chapter, and sharing resources and information
Medium Bar Association
The Asian American Bar Association | IVA: The Myth of Tokyo Rose, Allegiance on Trial
Large Bar Association
The Brooklyn Bar Association | Public Education Programs
2012
Small Bar Association
The Metropolitan Black Bar Association | How to Protect Your House of Worship from Liability
Medium Bar Association
The Albany County Bar Association | Flood Victims Program
Large Bar Association
Monroe County Bar Association | Rochester Legal Diversity Clerkship Program
2011
Small Bar Association
Nigerian Lawyers Association | Pro Bono Legal Assistance Program
Adirondack Women’s Bar Association | The Pro Bono Domestic Violence Legal Project
Medium Bar Association
American Immigration Lawyers Association | Immigrant Assistance Program
Large Bar Association
New York County Lawyers Association | Young Lawyers Mentoring Program
2010
Small Bar Association
The Muslim Bar Association of New York | Muslim Charities Accreditation Program
Medium Bar Association
The Monroe County Bar Association | Lawyer Succession Registry
Large Bar Association
The Nassau County Bar Association | BOLD Initiative (Bridge Over Language Divides)