New York State Bar Association Honors Lawyers Who are Steadfast in Their Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
1.15.2026
The New York State Bar Association honored trailblazing attorneys for their commitment to diversity in the legal profession, mentorship of young attorneys and devotion to community service. The awards were presented Wednesday at the Constance Baker Motley Symposium 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 diversity, equity and inclusion.
“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 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.
In accepting his award, he urged members to get involved with the bar association and find opportunities to serve. He challenged those in attendance to continue the fight for rights for those who are underrepresented.
“When DEI is challenged, it’s a moral imperative for us to reaffirm those principles,” he said.
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.
In accepting her award, Martin Owens paid tribute to those trailblazers that came before her and called the award the privilege of her career.
“The law is never neutral. Every position comes with choices as to who gets invited to be heard. Keep choosing courage over comfort in those moments and use your influence to make it easier for others,” she said.
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.
“To be mentioned with Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg in the same sentence isn’t anything I could have dreamed of,” she said in accepting the award.
Combe recalled the strength of her parents who survived the Holocaust, and thanked them for their support, which enabled her to pursue a career in law while raising a family. She encouraged others to find young attorneys to mentor, saying the investment will benefit everyone involved. She called on her fellow attorneys to stand firm in the face of resistance.
“Progress can be slow and you may feel like we are going backwards. Stay strong, be resilient. Never stop advocating and speaking for others.”
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 tenants’ rights. She was nominated for her work creating the Fair Hearings Help NY website, which guides residents applying for public benefits. In accepting her award, she thanked her mentor Susan Antos, managing attorney at the Empire Center.
“Her work is so inspiring to me. Together we remain committed to economic justice in this difficult time.”
The Impact of Madam C.J. Walker and her Trailblazing Attorney
The Constance Baker Motley Symposium featured a continuing legal education program focusing on the strength of diversity in the legal profession. The program “the Legacy of Resilience – How Diversity Drives Success” honored the life of both Madam C.J. Walker and her acclaimed attorney Freeman B. Ransom.
The program featured journalist and author A’Lelia Bundles who is the great-great-granddaughter of self-made millionaire Madam C.J. Walker. Bundles discussed how embracing diversity strengthens both the legal profession and the larger society.
