Legal Services NYC on December 4th honored the work of pro bono attorneys and other volunteers throughout the Legal Services at our 2009 Pro Bono Recognition Awards Breakfast, held at Reed Smith LLP. The event included a Special Address from the Honorable Fern Fisher, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts. Above, LS-NYC Executive Director and President Andrew Scherer with John Aerni (Partner at Dewey & LeBoeuf, accepting a Visionary Award on the firm's behalf and a Leadership Award recipient himself) Jeffrey S. Trachtman (Partner at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, accepting a Visionary Award on the firm's behalf), LS-NYC Board President Mark G. Cunha, and LS-NYC Board Member and Reed Smith Partner John P. Hooper.

On June 15th, Legal Services NYC held its annual Jazz for Justice benefit to celebrate our 42nd year helping improve the lives of thousands of low-income New Yorkers.The Annual Benefit, which drew some 400 attendees from New York City's leading law firms and corporations, was held at the Allen Room at Frederick P. Rose Hall, Home of Jazz at Lincoln Center.

Jazz for Justice honored three Visionary Leaders for providing crucial help to New Yorkers at a time of economic crisis and soaring demand for legal services: Goldman Sachs Gives, The New York Community Trust, and The New York Times Neediest Cases Fund. Legal Services NYC Staff were awarded the Advocates of Justice Award.

All Photos by David B. Smith 

Legal Services NYC's 2008 Pro Bono Recognition Awards Reception, honoring the work of pro bono attorneys and other volunteers throughout the Legal Services NYC System, took place on Thursday, October 30 at Chadbourne & Parke LLP. The reception included a Special Address from Terryl Brown Clemons, Esq., then Acting Counsel to New York State Governor David A. Paterson. Ms. Clemons spoke on the Governor's behalf. 

Pictured: Legal Services NYC Executive Director and President Andrew Scherer with Terryl Brown Clemons, Esq.

The New York State Diversity Coalition held its annual Networking Event for Lawyers of Color in Legal Services, Legal Aid and Firms with a Public Interest/Pro Bono Practice on Monday, November 10th, at Ashford & Simpson's Sugar Bar. Nearly 160 attorneys attended to meet colleagues and hear remarks by the Honorable Diana Johnson and the Honorable Margarita Lopez Torres of Kings County Surrogate Court.