Adrienne B. Koch Presents the Kostelanetz Presidents Award to Daniel K. Wiig, Amicus Curiae Podcast Host

Remarks of Adrienne B. Koch
on the Presentation of the Boris Kostelanetz President’s Medal to Daniel K. Wiig

Presenting the Boris Kostelanetz President’s Medal is technically my last official act as NYCLA’s president. I was so sad that I wasn’t able to do it at the annual meeting, and I’m so grateful that you’ve let me come back for this little encore to do it here with all of you. It is my pleasure and honor to present the Medal to NYCLA’s great friend, Daniel Wiig.

The official description of this medal says that it’s conferred upon a NYCLA member whose record of dedication to the Association and the legal profession comports with the highest standards.

So, with that in mind, let me share why I chose Dan for this year’s medal.

Dan has a long history of service to the Association. He’s served on NYCLA’s Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors of the NYCLA Foundation; he served on NYCLA’s Executive Committee, chaired its Membership Committee, and co-chaired its Young Lawyers Section

But beginning in 2021, Dan did something singular: he launched NYCLA’s Amicus Curiae podcast. Over 80 episodes later, the podcast is still going strong thanks to Dan’s extraordinary talent and hard work.

Dan’s guests have included judges, public officials, authors, professors, and lawyers from all walks of the profession.

They’ve shared their insights on a wide range of topics, including gubernatorial succession, access to justice, diversity and inclusion, cannabis, artificial intelligence, ethics, administrative law, environmental conservation, journalism and the First Amendment, healthcare – and so much more.

Dan guides these conversations with a warmth and respect that always draws a positive response from his guests. He has a truly winning way.

And thanks to him, NYCLA gets to publish these podcasts under its auspices

NYCLA has got to provide this varied, educational and deeply interesting programming to our members and to the community at large.

This literally puts NYCLA on the map with populations I’m quite sure we wouldn’t reach otherwise. A great service to NYCLA itself.

But it’s also an enormous service to NYCLA’s mission, which includes educating lawyers and the public at large about developments in the law.

Dan’s work has become so important to NYCLA that for the last few years his podcasts have had their own page in NYCLA’s Annual Report. A whole page, showcasing the excellent, important, and impactful work of one member.

Who better to receive the President’s Medal?

Dan, please accept it with my thanks and the thanks of your bar association