New York State Bar Association Honors Westchester Attorney for Promoting Diversity in the Legal Profession
10.11.2024
Jacqueline Hattar was presented with the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award in a virtual ceremony on Oct. 9.
Hattar, a partner at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, advises individuals, small businesses, and property owners on tort liability, wrongful death, construction accidents and labor law matters. She has spearheaded diversity efforts at her firm including advancing the well-being of female attorneys. Hattar also has served on her firm’s national Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee since 2011.
A longtime member of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association, Hattar has taken on numerous leadership roles in the organization, including co-chairing its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She mentors law students and new attorneys and presents programs that promote diversity.
The New York State Bar Association’s Trial Lawyers Section gives the award to a trial lawyer who has made extraordinary efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.
“Jacqueline is an extremely worthy recipient of the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award,” said Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association. “She has made diversity in the legal profession her personal mission. Many of her colleagues told us about her work ethic, her integrity, and the positive impact she has made on her community. In her work to empower the next generation of lawyers, she has embodied the late Justice Ginsburg’s ideals of advocacy and equality.”
Sherry Bishko, president of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association, nominated Hattar for the award. In her nomination letter, Bishko wrote, “Jacqueline provides a wealth of support, advice and ‘roll-up-your-sleeves’ work to our Westchester Women’s Bar Association and embodies her commitment to our community and its diversity.”
Hattar volunteers her time reading to children in Yonkers Public Schools where she was born and raised and is the Westchester Women’s Bar Association liaison for the Read Across America program. She also volunteers with the Pace Women’s Justice Center, Feeding Westchester and the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
“I am very honored and humbled to receive this award named after Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who continues to inspire me to fight for equality for all,” Hattar said in her acceptance speech. “One of the most meaningful ways for me to promote equity, diversity and inclusion has been by collaborating with others on programs and initiatives. Through these collaborations with others, we have had open and candid dialogues about how we can create a more equitable, inclusive and just society by promoting the fair treatment of all people. This includes collaborating with the folks at my firm, through the bar associations that I’m privileged to volunteer for… I am so grateful to each and every one of the people that I have worked with during my career.”
