The Trial Lawyers Section 5th Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award and CLE Program

The Trial Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar Association invites you to join the celebration of the 5th Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award and CLE program, which coincides with the observance of National Diversity Day. The virtual program is scheduled for October 9, 2024, and is complimentary, offering 1.0 Credit in Diversity, Inclusion, and the Elimination of Bias.

The Trial Lawyers Section's Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award recognizes a Trial Attorney who has shown exceptional dedication to addressing and raising awareness about issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

This year, the Trial Lawyers will honor Jacqueline Hattar from Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP during their 5th Annual Awards Ceremony.
Jacqueline was nominated by the Westchester Woman's Bar Association for their exceptional dedication to advancing and raising awareness about issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Congratulations, Jacqueline!   

Learn more about this award, the program, and previous winners, here:  https://nysba.org/trial-lawyers-section-justice-ruth-bader-ginsburg-vanguard-award/

About the Award:

The Trial Lawyers Section's Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award recognizes a Trial Attorney who has shown exceptional dedication to addressing and raising awareness about issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Inspirational figures like Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg serve as guiding lights in the pursuit of equality. A passionate advocate for justice, she has become a cultural icon, particularly in the realms of women's and minority rights. Throughout her tenure in the Supreme Court, Justice Ginsburg tirelessly advocated for diversity and equity, extending her efforts to benefit women, the BIPOC community, individuals with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. 

Justice Ginsburg's approach was marked by bold risk-taking and unwavering conviction. Her most impactful cases resonated with diverse groups, spanning from combating voter discrimination to championing women's rights, ensuring the free exercise of religion, and upholding the separation of church and state. At the core of her work was a profound acknowledgment and elevation of the voices of historically marginalized communities. 

Harnessing her position of power and influence, Justice Ginsburg pioneered equitable policies, swinging open the doors of opportunity for millions of Americans, irrespective of their gender, ethnicity, beliefs, self-identities, or sexual preferences. Today, as we celebrate National Diversity Day, we draw inspiration from her legacy and honor those who continue to advance the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion within the legal profession. 

Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was a fervent advocate for equality who became a culture icon in the fight for women’s and minority rights. During her time in the Supreme Court, she championed diversity and equity for women, the BIPOC community, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. Her approach was to take bold risks and use her voice with conviction. Her most memorable cases were those that impacted diverse groups. She fought against voter discrimination, while fighting for women’s rights, the free exercise of religion and the separation of church and state. The core of her work was recognizing and uplifting the diverse voices of previously marginalized communities. Justice Ginsburg used her position of power and influence to pioneer equitable policy and open the door of opportunity for millions of Americans regardless of their gender, ethnicity, beliefs, self-identities or sexual preferences.

Award Qualifications 

1. Legal Practice Excellence: The nominee boasts a significant and impactful career as a trial lawyer, demonstrating substantial practice in state (or federal) courts within New York State. 

2. Dedication to Diversity and Inclusion: The nominee showcases a steadfast commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the legal profession, actively contributing to creating a more equitable and representative legal community. 

3. Allyship and Advocacy Impact: The nominee has left a lasting impact on the legal community by embodying the principles of allyship and advocacy. Through mentoring and providing valuable opportunities, they have proven to be a catalyst for positive change, empowering others within the legal sphere.

Co-Keynote Presenters

Hon. Jenny Rivera, Associate Judge, Court of Appeals
Hon. Edwina Richardson, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives

Panelists

Hon. Betsy Barros, Associate Justice, New York State Appellate Division, Second Department
Hon. Kris Singh, Administrative Judge of the 4th Judicial District, Montgomery County Surrogate

Hon. Ramon E. Rivera, NYS Court of Claims Judge, New York State Unified Court System

Angélicque M. Moreno, Esq., Chair of the Trial Lawyers Section, Co-Chair, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee of the Trial Lawyers Section  
Katherine A. Buckley, Esq., Co-Chair Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, Trial Lawyers Section

This program is co-sponsored by the Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and the Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Sections.