The Trial Lawyers Section 5th Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard 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.

Co-Keynote Speakers

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

Program Chairs:

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