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: Paolino Curto
Deadline: March 31, 2021
Date Presented: TBD
Eligibility:
Projects and programs designed and significantly implemented between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020 are eligible for consideration. Projects that were in place prior to October 1, 2019 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:
2018
Small Bar Association Category—Fewer than 500 Members:
Rensselaer County Bar Association – Restoration of artwork and historic artifacts at the Rensselaer County Courthouse
Medium Bar Association Category—500 – 1,999 Members:
Onondaga County Bar Association – Creation of Veterans’ Rights and Military Law Section
Large Bar Association Category—More than 2,000 Members:
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 Category—Fewer than 500 Members:
Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys – Creation of the Lawyers Committee on Racial Justice
Large Bar Association Category—More than 2,000 Members:
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 Category—Fewer than 500 Members:
The Association of Black Women Attorneys (ABWA) – Power Brunch Series
The Dominican Bar Association (DBA) – Let’s Chat Series
Medium Bar Association Category—500 – 1,999 Members:
The Asian American Bar Association of New York’s (AABANY) – Seventh Annual Fall Conference: Speak Up | Rise Up | Lift Up
The Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) – Inaugural Back-To-School Backpack Donation Drive (“Backpack Donation”)
Large Bar Association—More than 2,000 Members:
The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) – Voter Registration Project
Emerging Bar:
The Caribbean Attorneys Network, Inc. (CAN) – The Conversation:“Something Has to Give” Event
2015
Small Bar Association Category—Fewer than 500 Members:
Hispanic National Bar Association Region II (New York) – Nail and Hair Salon Business Owner’s Breakfast Clinic
Medium Bar Association Category—500 – 1,999 Members:
The LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York (LeGaL) – Hiring of a New Legal Director
2014
Small Bar Association—Fewer than 500 Members:
The New Rochelle Bar Association’s (NRBA) – Lawyer in the Classroom
Large Bar Association—2,000+ Members:
The New York County Lawyers’ Association (NYCLA) – State Central Registry (SCR) Pro Bono Project
2013
Small Bar Association—Fewer than 500 Members:
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—500 to 1,999 Members:
The Asian American Bar Association – IVA: The Myth of Tokyo Rose, Allegiance on Trial
Large Bar Association—2,000+ Members:
The Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA) – Public Education Programs
2012
Small Bar Association—Fewer than 500 Members:
The Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA) – How to Protect Your House of Worship from Liability
Medium Bar Association—500 to 1,999 Members:
The Albany County Bar Association (ACBA) – Flood Victims Program
Large Bar Association—2,000+ Members:
Monroe County Bar Association – Rochester Legal Diversity Clerkship Program
2011
Small Bar Association—Fewer than 500 Members:
Nigerian Lawyers Association – Pro Bono Legal Assistance Program
Small Bar Association—Fewer than 500 Members:
Adirondack Women’s Bar Association – The Pro Bono Domestic Violence Legal Project
Medium Bar Association—500 to 1,999 Members:
American Immigration Lawyers Association – Immigrant Assistance Program
Large Bar Association—2,000+ Members:
New York County Lawyers Association – Young Lawyers Mentoring Program
2010
Small Bar Association—Fewer than 500 Members:
The Muslim Bar Association of New York (MuBANY) – Muslim Charities Accreditation Program
Medium Bar Association—500 to 1,999 Members:
The Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA) – Lawyer Succession Registry
Large Bar Association—2,000+ Members:
The Nassau County Bar Association (NCBA) – BOLD Initiative (Bridge Over Language Divides)