Special Event: NYCLA to Honor Outstanding Public Sector and Public Interest Attorneys at 2026 Public Service Awards

NYCLA to Honor Outstanding Public Sector and Public Interest Attorneys at 2026 Public Service Awards on November 17, 2026

Awards Recognize Excellence, Leadership and Commitment to Public Service

September 30, 2026, New York, New York – The New York County Lawyers Association will present awards to dedicated public sector and public interest attorneys at their awards ceremony and reception on November 17, 2026, at 6:00 P.M. at the U.S. District Court Southern District of New York at 500 Pearl Street. Hon. Raymond Lohier, Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will be the special guest speaker and the awards will be presented by the event chair and past NYCLA President Catherine A. Christian, current partner with Liston Abramson LLP, and legal analyst for MSNOW.

Since 1990, NYCLA has recognized attorneys whose dedication to public service has strengthened the legal profession and advanced justice for New Yorkers. The Public Service Awards honor public sector and public interest lawyers who have distinguished themselves through exemplary leadership, innovation, and commitment to addressing complex legal challenges. These attorneys serve as role models and advocates for the public good, often making extraordinary contributions outside the public spotlight.

The awards underscore the vital importance of public service lawyering at a time when rising educational costs and economic pressures continue to present significant challenges for attorneys pursuing careers in government and public interest practice. By recognizing these distinguished honorees, NYCLA celebrates the talent, dedication, and sacrifice of lawyers who choose careers devoted to serving the public and advancing equal access to justice.

We congratulate our 2026 awardees:

• Brendan G. King

  United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York

• Donna Chiu

  Mobilization for Justice

• Gloria Garcia

  Manhattan District Attorney’s Office

• Jennifer C. Friedman

  Sanctuary for Families

• Omar Gonzalez-Pagan

  Lambda Legal

• Sylvie Levine

  Federal Defenders of New York

To RSVP to attend click here.

About the New York County Lawyers Association
The New York County Lawyers Association (nycla.org) was founded in 1908 as one of the first major bar associations in the country that admitted members without regard to race, ethnicity, religion or gender. Since its inception, it has pioneered some of the most far-reaching and tangible reforms in American jurisprudence.  For more information on NYCLA please visit nycla.org

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