Four Attorneys Honored for Commitment to Diversity, Mentorship and Community Service
1.13.2026
The New York State Bar Association will honor four trailblazing attorneys for their commitment to diversity in the legal profession, mentoring young attorneys and devoting their time and talent to community service.
Four attorneys will receive awards at the Constance Baker Motley Symposium on Wednesday Jan. 14 during the association’s Annual Meeting at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. The event recognizes lawyers who are role models and trailblazers in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion in the legal profession.
“We know the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion are under attack. These four attorneys are courageously doing the work to create new opportunities for all people in our profession. The New York State Bar Association will continue to support and defend the value of diversity in all that we do,” said Kathleen Sweet, president of the New York State Bar Association.
John Higgins Diversity Trailblazer Award: Vince Chang and Deborah Martin Owens
Vince Chang is a leader both in his litigation work at Davis Polk and the New York State Bar Association. He is a mentor to many attorneys and an expert on diversity issues. He was co-chair of the Task Force on Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate and a key player on the association’s Task Force on Advancing Diversity, formed following the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action in higher education.
Colleagues call Deborah Martin Owens “a proven architect of systemic change” for her work creating diversity programs and strengthening the law school to firm pipelines for students of color. Her innovative programs at the New York County Lawyers Association and several of New York’s largest law firms are a model for others to follow.
The Higgins Award recognizes exceptional efforts to promote the full and equal participation of diverse people at all levels of the legal profession.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Beacon Award: Daniela Combe
Daniela Combe is a powerhouse attorney for IBM who navigates with ease the most complex legal deals involving supercomputing and microelectronics. In addition to her practice, Combe mentors and trains women and those from underrepresented backgrounds in the legal profession, so that all have an opportunity to be heard.
The Beacon Award was created following the 2020 death of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. It honors an individual who is honest, direct and courageous in the face of opposition and is an outspoken advocate for those less privileged.
Young Lawyer of the Year: Haley Kulakowski
Kulakowski is a supervising staff attorney at Empire Justice Center in Rochester with a focus on access to public benefits, affordable housing and tenant’s rights. She was nominated for her work creating the Fair Hearings Help NY website which helps guide residents applying for public benefits.
The Impact of Madam C.J. Walker and her Trailblazing Attorney
The Constance Baker Motley Symposium features a continuing legal education program focusing on the strength of diversity in the legal profession. This year’s program “the Legacy of Resilience – How Diversity Drives Success” honors the life of both Madam C.J. Walker and her acclaimed attorney Freeman B. Ransom.
It features journalist and author A’Lelia Bundles who is the great-great-granddaughter of self-made millionaire Madam C.J. Walker who will discuss how embracing diversity strengthens the legal profession and society at large. Bundles will explore how diversity, equity, and allyship drive both client success while improving the lives of community members.
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.
