Hon. Victoria A. Graffeo, senior associate judge of the Court of Appeals, is the 2014 recipient of the Excellence in Public Service Award, given by the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Attorneys in Public Service. The award recognizes public sector attorneys who demonstrate a “higher calling” by an extraordinary commitment to service, honor … Continued

Muhammad Usman Faridi, a Manhattan attorney who has combined his passion for human rights with a successful legal career, has been awarded the State Bar Association’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award for 2014. The award, presented by the association’s Young Lawyers Section, honors attorneys in practice for fewer than 10 years who have demonstrated outstanding service … Continued

Fiona Sampson of Toronto, executive director of the Equality Effect, is the 2014 recipient of the Distinction in International Affairs Award, given by the New York State Bar Association’s International Section. The award recognizes those who have made a major contribution to international peace, understanding and democracy. Sampson received her award on January 29 at … Continued

Jeremy A. Cohen of Manhattan, an associate at Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel, is the recipient of the 2013 Distinguished Service Award, given by the Law, Youth and Citizenship Committee of the New York State Bar Association. The award was presented to Cohen at the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City on … Continued

Darryl Gibbs of Manhattan, lead director and associate general counsel at AXA, is the recipient of the Diversity Trailblazer Award, given by the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion of the New York State Bar Association. Gibbs received his award on January 27 during the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. The award … Continued

Rochester attorney Connie O. Walker is the 2014 recipient of the Kay Crawford Murray Award, given by the Committee on Women in the Law of the New York State Bar Association. The award, which Walker received on January 28 during the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City, recognizes an attorney who enhances diversity in … Continued

Seven newly appointed section chairs of the New York State Bar Association will take office during the State Bar’s Annual Meeting this week. The 25 sections of the association publish material dealing with their fields of expertise, much of which is not available through commercial publishers. They also sponsor conferences, seminars and institutes, monitor legislation … Continued

Educating tomorrow’s lawyers and helping practicing lawyers adapt to changes in the rapidly evolving legal profession are the focus of the New York State Bar Association’s 2014 Presidential Summit. The summit, the centerpiece of the association’s weeklong Annual Meeting, will be held Wednesday, January 29, from 2 to 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom West … Continued

The New York State Bar Association’s 137th Annual Meeting in New York City will feature discussions on legal education, the future of the legal profession, social media and Internet security and the need for greater civics education. More than 4,000 attorneys are expected to attend the weeklong conference at the New York Hilton Midtown in … Continued

New York State Bar Association President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) wrote to Governor Andrew Cuomo on January 22, 2014 about the critical need to enhance civics education in New York’s schools. Text of the letter is below.  Dear Governor Cuomo: Recently, many members of the Legislature wrote to you to express urgent … Continued