Syracuse Attorney Honored for Lifelong Dedication to Pro Bono Advocacy
1.9.2026
The New York State Bar Association will honor Syracuse attorney George Lowe for his many years providing pro bono representation to people in prison, tenants facing eviction, clients in complex Family Court cases and other vulnerable people.
Lowe will receive the Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award from the association’s 50+ Section on Tuesday, Jan. 13, during the association’s Annual Meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Lowe is of counsel at Bond, Schoeneck & King, with a practice focused on white collar criminal defense and complex federal civil litigation. In 2025, he dedicated more than 94 hours to pro bono service, mostly advocating in a prisoner rights case. He also mentors young attorneys, advises nonprofits navigating complex legal challenges, and volunteers for many civil legal services organizations.
“[Lowe’s] thoughtful, compassionate, and strategic approach to legal advocacy has changed lives and inspired countless others in the legal profession to follow his example,” wrote Sal Curran, executive director of the Volunteer Lawyers Project of CNY, Inc. “[He] is a tireless champion of civil legal services for those most in need. His vision, dedication, and leadership have fundamentally shaped the landscape of legal aid in Central New York and beyond.”
The New York State Bar Association has honored Lowe in the past with its Empire State Counsel® Program for his longstanding commitment to providing pro bono legal services.
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. 13 to 16 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
Highlights of Annual Meeting include the Presidential Gala celebrating the association’s 150th Anniversary. The gala is on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., at The Plaza Hotel. The association will honor Gov. Kathy Hochul – who is receiving the Gold Medal – and its past presidents at the gala.
The Presidential Summit, the marquee event of the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, is on Wednesday, Jan. 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Panelists will discuss “The Case for Constitutional Failure,” focusing on whether the three branches of government have fulfilled their Constitutional duties.
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Jack Rakove of Stanford University and Yale University Rule of Law Clinic Co-Director, former Assistant United States Attorney, and January 6 Prosecutor Sonia Mittal will lead this important, timely conversation. Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNOW television anchor and commentator, will moderate the discussion.
