January 23, 2018 – New York Federal Judge Honored by State Bar Association for Enhancement of Diversity in the Profession

By Communications Department

January 23, 2018

January 23, 2018 – New York Federal Judge Honored by State Bar Association for Enhancement of Diversity in the Profession

1.23.2018

By Communications Department

The Honorable Lisa Margaret Smith, United States magistrate judge for the Southern District of New York, is the 2018 recipient of the Kay Crawford Murray Award presented by the Committee on Women in the Law of the New York State Bar Association.

“Judge Smith’s contributions as a jurist, coupled with her commitment to mentoring and advancing the next generation of women lawyers, embodies the ideals of the Kay Crawford Murray Award,” said Susan L. Harper (Bates Group), chair of the Committee on Women in the Law.

Smith, who sits in White Plains, was originally appointed in 1995 as a magistrate judge. From 2006 to 2008, she served as chief magistrate judge for the Southern District.

Before her appointment to the bench, Smith was an assistant U.S. attorney in the Southern District of New York from 1987 to 1995. She also served as an assistant district attorney in Kings County where she worked her way up to supervising senior ADA in the Appeals Bureau. She also spent time as an assistant Attorney General in the Appeals and Opinions Division.

Smith frequently lectures at CLE and Bar Association programs, with a particular focus on e-discovery and evidence.  She is a regular participant in events that educate children about the courts, including Take Your Children To Work Day, an annual program of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association.

Smith received her award on January 23 during the Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. The award recognizes an attorney who enhances diversity in the profession and advances the professional development of women attorneys. The committee created the award in Murray’s honor in 2008.

Murray, who passed away earlier this month, is the former general counsel to the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice and was active with the State Bar Association for many years, including serving as chair of the Committee on Women in the Law.

About the New York State Bar Association

The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. Since 1876, the Association has helped shape the development of law, educated and informed the legal profession and the public, and championed the rights of New Yorkers through advocacy and guidance in our communities.

###

Contact: Christian Nolan 

Senior Writer

[email protected]

518-487-5536

Six diverse people sitting holding signs
gradient circle (purple) gradient circle (green)

Join NYSBA

My NYSBA Account

My NYSBA Account