New York State Bar Association Honors Human Rights Champion with Haywood Burns Award
4.17.2024
Named for the civil rights attorney who worked with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King and rose to prominence as New York’s first African American law school dean. The award recognizes leaders in social justice and civil rights law in New York State.
Parthasarathy is a tireless advocate for victims of intimate partner and domestic violence as the project leader of the Crime Victims Network through the Empire Justice Center. The center offers legal help to New Yorkers in need as well as legal research and training to civil legal service providers.
“Remla Parthasarathy does more than advocate and seek justice for her clients,” said New York State Bar Association president Richard Lewis. “She is working to change our culture in America from one of violence to one where all people are treated with dignity and respect.”
For nearly 30 years, Parthasarathy has worked both inside and outside the courts seeking justice for victims of violence. Her work extends to education and advocacy to raise awareness of domestic violence as a violation of human rights. In addition to her community work, Parthasarathy is an adjunct professor of social work and published author.
In presenting the award at the CUNY School of Law, New York State Bar Association President-Elect Domenick Napoletano said Parthasarathy represents a bright future for the profession in the field of civil rights.
“Remla fights injustice on multiple fronts, in the courtroom and in the classroom,” he said. “She not only helps domestic violence victims seek justice against their abusers, but teaches other attorneys and social workers how to fight gender based violence where they live and work.”
You can read the full resume of Remla Parthasarathy’s accomplishments here.
