Out of Many, One: A Theme of Unity for Law Day
5.1.2025
The Great Hall at the Bar Center in Albany was filled to capacity for the 2025 Pro Bono awards, which bring judges and lawyers from across the state to celebrate service to others. Law Day is celebrated annually on May 1 to recognize those attorneys committed to doing legal work for no compensation.
The theme for Law Day 2025 is “Out of Many, One.” In opening the event, New York State Bar Association President Domenick Napoletano reminded the crowd that we are a nation of immigrants, creating a mosaic of cultures and languages that give the nation its enduring strength.
“I am a proud first-generation Italian American and as Americans we are united by the belief that all people are created equal and entitled to liberty,” he said. “Our justice system was built on that vision, where due process and equal justice under law provide equal standing between the wealthy and the indigent defendant.”
Napoletano then called attention to the government’s recent attacks on the judiciary.
“Any threat to our judiciary imperils its independence and impacts our democracy,” he said. “This is not a partisan issue. For democracy to work, judges need to be free to decide cases and issues without fear for their safety or that of their families.”
President Napoletano was joined by Attorney General Tish James and Chief Judge Rowan Wilson who also honored the pro bono award recipients.
Chief Judge Rowan Wilson spoke of the example of service given by late Pope Francis and his tireless work for social justice and the needs of the poor. Wilson praised the pro bono recipients saying “You are living out Pope Francis’ vision, working for those in need, those without power. You are building an equitable society.” He encouraged all those present to find the joy that can be experienced in helping others.
Attorney General Tish James attended the event to make a special presentation to Karina Roiuk-Yu, the young attorney honored for her pro bono work at the Pace Women’s Justice Center.
“Karina promotes a vital state interest, especially those who are in underserved communities,” she said. “Thank you for your good work, your kindness and your talent in serving the least of God’s children.”
The event closed with the presentation of the Attorney Professionalism awards. Jean-Claude Mazolla, chair of the Attorney Professionalism Committee of the New York State Bar Association, praised both award recipients for their commitment to mentorship.
Harvey Besunder is known as the “dean of Suffolk law” for his decades of service to the bar community in Suffolk County. At 81, Besunder works full-time at the firm Egan and Golden, serves on committees and continues to write. He has been devoted to mentoring young lawyers during his 58-year legal career. Colleagues praise him for his integrity, civility, and work ethic.
In accepting the award, Besunder thanked the state bar association for supporting the legal profession.
“The bar association is a champion of diversity. It fights racism and antisemitism and offers important events like the civics convocation,” he said. “The government is attacking lawyers for doing what is right, and the bar association is defending the rule of law and standing up for us.”
Sharon Brown is the diversity partner at Barclay Damon, where she balances her corporate finance practice with building and strengthening the workforce at her firm. Brown expanded the summer associate program, building a diverse group of young lawyers who went on to join the firm and further diversify its ranks. She has built a culture of mentorship with her kindness, positive energy and commitment to others.
“I am indebted to my own mentors who taught me how to serve justice and the public good,” she said. “They instilled in me a commitment to fairness and respect. I accept this award with humility.”
Here is a full list of this year’s President’s Pro Bono Award recipients:
First Judicial District (Manhattan)
Claire James is an expert in corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions as the Head of New York Private Equity at Freshfields. Her pro bono with Volunteers of Legal Services includes helping mothers who are incarcerated, asylum seekers and the homeless. She also counsels non-profits on maintaining good governance practices.
Third Judicial District (Albany, Columbia, Rensselaer, Greene, Schoharie, Sullivan and Ulster counties)
Victoria Esposito is a professor at Albany Law School and was the first advocacy director for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York. Her pro-bono work includes access to housing and public benefits. She was also instrumental in helping pensioners of the former St. Clare’s Hospital in Schenectady.
Fourth Judicial District (Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Montgomery, St. Lawrence, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington counties)
Kaitlyn McClaine balances her insurance and transportation law practice in the capital region with a passion for pro bono work on behalf of women and immigrants. McClaine prevailed in a zoning case on behalf of an elderly widow in Warren County, saving her client from fines of $750,000.
Fifth Judicial District (Herkimer, Jefferson, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego counties)
Sharon Ames of Syracuse is the director of the Regional Immigration Assistance Center, region 2, which covers the region from Lake Ontario to Delaware County. She trains lawyers on the consequences for clients who are not citizens that may result from a plea bargain. Ames also manages her own immigration law practice.
Sixth Judicial District (Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Madison, Otsego, Schuyler, Tioga, Tompkins counties)
Bruce J. Beckman volunteers with the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York, helping clients in Binghamton City Housing Court. In addition to housing and estate planning services, Beckman also trains new lawyers on how to best serve pro bono clients in city housing court.
Seventh Judicial District (Cayuga, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Seneca, Steuben, Wayne, Yates counties)
Khalid Vrede’s passion for pro bono work started at Cornell Law’s Asylum Clinic and has followed him throughout his career. Now working in Rochester, Vrede is active in the JustCause Pro Bono Program.
Eighth Judicial District (Allegheny, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Niagara, Orleans, Wyoming counties)
Mark Nesbitt takes time away from his corporate law practice to staff the Attorney of the Morning program through the Erie County Bar Association’s Volunteer Lawyers Project. Nesbitt is also active in the Buffalo Immigration Program.
Ninth Judicial District (Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Westchester counties)
Alexandra Manes is a volunteer at Legal Services of the Hudson Valley in its Virtual Housing Advice Clinic. Manes balances full-time motherhood with pro bono housing assistance for low-income families in her region.
Tenth Judicial District (Nassau and Suffolk counties)
Margarett Williams is a decorated attorney and leader at Touro University, while still taking cases for clients of Legal Services of Long Island. Williams involves law students in her pro bono work and volunteers as a divorce mediator for couples who cannot afford mediation services.
Eleventh Judicial District (Queens County)
Barton Resnicoff is a decades-long volunteer with the Volunteer Law Projects in both Queens and Nassau counties, focusing on family law cases. He says nothing feels better than helping someone through a difficult time.
Young Attorney: Karina Roiuk-Yu started volunteering for the Pace Women’s Justice Center Walk-in Clinic as soon as she passed the bar exam. She helps survivors of domestic violence with family law and protection orders. Her fluency in three languages is a benefit to all her clients.
Senior Attorney: John McQueen was one of the first volunteer attorneys at the Volunteer Legal Services Project of Monroe County, now called JustCause. He is a 42-year volunteer there, first handling Social Security cases, then moving on to civil record expungement, and tax cases. McQueen moved to senior status at Nixon Peabody 13 years ago, while continuing his pro bono work.
Law Student: Michael Perrone’s journey to law school took him from London to Louisiana to a career in the U.S. Army. While attending SUNY Buffalo School of Law, Perrone focused his pro bono work on helping clients facing deportation housed at the Batavia Federal Detention Facility.
Small Law firm: Leason Ellis is committed to pro bono work as part of its work culture and making the world a better place. The firm focuses on education, physical and mental wellbeing, and animal rights.
Large Law Firm: Davis Polk and Wardwell devotes tens of thousands of hours to pro bono cases. Its people are dedicated to corporate social responsibility and volunteer work in communities around the world.
