The NYS Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives joined the American Bar Association Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service to sponsor annual National Pro Bono Celebration Week from October 22-28, 2023. The NYS Unified Courts Office for Justice Initiatives, Access to Justice Division, held a Pro Bono Awards ceremony to honor volunteers for their outstanding pro bono service throughout the year!
Pro Bono Trainings
During Pro Bono week, October 22 - 28, 2023, the New York State Courts Office for Justice Initiatives trained attorneys to provide free legal services in its Access to Justice Division’s Consumer Debt Volunteer Lawyer for the Day pro bono program. In this program attorneys and law students will provide limited scope representation to consumer debtors in New York City’s Civil Courts.
Pro Bono Awards Night
The NYS Unified Court System Office for Justice Initiatives, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), and the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) co-sponsored a pro bono volunteer recognition event on Thursday, October 19th. The annual awards ceremony joined events across the country to promote and recognize pro bono service and spotlight the difference lawyers can make in their communities. The Honorable Edwina G. Richardson-Mendelson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives, Adrienne Koch, President of the New York County Lawyers Association, and Rezwanul Islam, co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s President’s Committee on Access to Justice presented the awards.
The event honored 21 volunteers who received plaque awards for their outstanding pro bono service. Additionally, 135 volunteers received certificates recognizing their distinguished service in the New York State Courts Office for Justice Initiatives' Access to Justice and Attorney Emeritus programs.
Special recognition was given to Court Attorney Angela Britton who was honored with the NYS Courts Office for Justice Initiatives Circle of Excellence Award for her outstanding contributions to the New York City Family Court Volunteer Attorney Program. Her extraordinary work in coordinating successful and longstanding pro bono partnerships with over 40 New York City law firms and corporate law departments has advanced access to justice for the many thousands of litigants in NYC Family Court that have been served by the program. During the Covid-19 pandemic, her indefatigable efforts in launching a virtual pro bono platform for the program were a critical tool in expanding pro bono resources to assist Family Court litigants.
Video Montage
Past Celebrations
Every October, the NYS Courts Access to Justice Program holds events to celebrate Pro Bono service in the New York State Courts. Click the links below to see information about past celebrations.
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2022
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2021
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2020
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2019
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2018
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2017
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2016
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2015
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2014
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2013
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2012
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2011
National Pro Bono Celebration Week 2010
