Commercial and Federal Litigation Section Celebrates Female Attorneys With Scheindlin Award and Kaye Scholarships
11.21.2025
The New York State Bar Association recently honored several distinguished woman attorneys at the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section’s Taking the Lead Program.
The program started with a showcase of women commercial litigators as they reenacted an actual civil business dispute in a mock trial. Prominent members of the judiciary critiqued the trial performances.
Carolyn Pokorny, former First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, received the Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin Award for Excellence in the Courtroom. The award is named in honor of retired Judge Shira Scheindlin, and recognizes distinguished female litigators who have shown a commitment to mentoring young attorneys. Seth Levine, partner at Levine Lee, praised her as “gifted…credible beyond challenge… tough as nails without arrogance … always scrupulously prepared… simply devastatingly effective.”
The Judith Kaye Commercial and Federal Litigation Scholarship was presented to the following honorees:
- Mary Serene Carino, associate at Farrell Fritz.
- Kelly Geary, associate at Adams Leclair.
- Alyssa C. Goldrich, associate at Tannenbaum Helpern.
- Morgan V. Manley, partner at Smith, Gambrell & Russell.
- Michaela J. Mancini, associate at Bond, Schoeneck & King.
The scholarship is named in honor of the late Chief Judge Judith Kaye, and covers the registration fee for each recipient to attend the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section’s Commercial Litigation Academy. The goal of the scholarship is to increase the number of women prepared to serve as first chair in large commercial cases.
The program and awards ceremony took place at the New York County Court House in New York City.
