New York State Bar Association Recognizes Three Judges for Commitment to the Court and Community
1.7.2025
The New York State Bar Association is honoring Judge James P. Murphy of Onondaga County, Judge Lawrence S. Knipel of Kings County and Justice Douglas J. Hayden of Nassau County at the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City.
The three judges will receive the Outstanding Jurist Award for their contributions to the legal profession, their communities, and in the field of torts, insurance, and compensation law. The Torts, Insurance, and Compensation Law and the Trial Lawyers sections of the association are giving out the awards during a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 16.
Judge Murphy is the deputy administrative judge for the courts outside New York City. His appointment in 2019 followed 14 years as a New York Supreme Court justice in the Fifth District. He also served three terms in the Onondaga County Legislature. He is a member of the association’s Executive Committee.
Judge Knipel served as administrative judge for civil matters, Second Judicial District, from 2013 to 2024. Knipel stepped aside after a year of milestone achievements in the Brooklyn Civil Term. Under Judge Knipel’s leadership, there were more cases resolved, including jury trials and motions decided than any other county court in New York state. He now steps down from his administrative duties to focus on commercial litigation cases, paving the way for new leadership.
Justice Douglas J. Hayden, Village of Floral Park justice, is recognized for his service to his community as a village justice for more than 25 years. He has rendered exceptional service to the New York State Bar Association as a member of the Judicial Section. Justice Hayden balances his judicial and community work with a full-time career as president of Wright Public Entity, with over 200 employees on Long Island and in Albany.
“Each of these men has demonstrated a deep commitment to the court system and to the mentoring of others in the legal profession,” said New York State Bar Association President Domenick Napoletano. “We honor their dedication and the humility they exhibited in decades of public service to their communities.”
Honoring attorneys who render extraordinary service to the public and the profession is part of NYSBA’s Annual Meeting tradition. This year’s event promises to be dynamic and informative, featuring a wide range of sessions and activities tailored to the diverse interests and needs of lawyers practicing in New York. Annual Meeting takes place Jan. 14 to 17 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Highlights of Annual Meeting include the Presidential Gala, where retired Associate Justice Stephen Breyer of the Supreme Court of the United States will receive the association’s most prestigious award, the Gold Medal. The gala is on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at The Plaza Hotel. Justice Breyer will speak about his career, judicial philosophy and his recent book during a fireside chat at the gala.
The Presidential Summit, the marquee event of the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, is on Wednesday, Jan. 15, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The summit, entitled “Securing Justice: Addressing Sexual Violence and the Weaponization of Individuals and Groups During Conflicts and Wars,” will focus on justice for the victims of wartime human trafficking and sexual violence.
Distinguished guests include Dr. Cochav Elkayam-Levy, international human rights law expert and founder and chair of the Civil Commission on October 7th Crimes by Hamas Against Women and Children; Susana SáCouto, director of the War Crimes Research Office of the American University Washington College of Law; and Abid Shamdeen, advocate for Yazidi genocide survivors and co-founder of Nadia’s Initiative.
In addition, former Chief Justice of the Michigan Supreme Court Bridget McCormack will present on the impact AI has had on the legal profession, and how lawyers are navigating changing regulations related to privacy and data security.
