brooklyn legal services corporation a annual partnership ......2015 annual partnership awards...

2015 annual partnership awards benefit 1

brooklyn legal services corporation a

annual partnership awards benefitthursday, october 29, 2015weylin b. seymour’s

2 brooklyn legal services coproration a

Final Size: 8.5" x 11" • Ratio: 1” = 1’ • Resolution: 300 DPI • Color: CMYK 256405 Brooklyn Legal Service Ad_2015-Viacom bleed

FORALL.

Community. Opportunity. Justice.

Congratulations, BillAs a board member and colleague, it’s been our privilege to witness your extraordinary commitment to helping others. Viacom joins Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A in honoring our friend for bringing fair and equal assistance to those in need.

©2015 Viacom

Inc. All rights reserved.


Program

6:00 P.M.Cocktails & Dinner

7:15 P.M.Welcome from the Master of Ceremonies

Deborah NorvilleInside Edition

Welcome Remarks

Martin S. Needelman, Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

Paul J. Acinapura, Co- Executive Director & General CounselBrooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

James H.R. WindelsDavis Polk & Wardwell LLPBoard Chair, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

Guest Speaker

Eric L. AdamsBrooklyn Borough President

Introduced by Geraldo RiveraFox News, Senior Correspondent

7:30 P.M.Award Presentations

Judge Harold R. Tyler Award

William SchwartzCadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Presented by Philippe DaumanPresident and CEO, Viacom Inc.

Sargent Shriver Award

Yolanda CocaBushwick Housing Independence Project

Pro-Bono Service Awards

8:20 P.M.Closing Remarks

Deborah NorvilleInside Edition


Dear Friends of Brooklyn A,Welcome to Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A’s Annual Partnership Awards Benefit.

For over 25 years we have hosted this Event reflecting upon the accomplishments of the past year, and recognizing key supporters and community partners who have helped further our mission. Your attendance here tonight helps make it possible for us to provide high-quality neighborhood-based legal services, and we deeply appreciate your contin-ued support and commitment. With your assistance, we are able to protect some of our community’s most vulnerable members, preserve and expand affordable housing, and promote locally-directed sustainable community and economic development.

Tonight, we honor some very special leaders who have been critical in making our system of justice work, empowering our community, and preparing our next generation of leaders.

We recognize William Schwartz of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP with the Judge Harold R. Tyler Award, for his extraordinary career in the practice of law as well as in edu-cating generations of lawyers and law professors. We also are proud to recognize Yolanda Coca of Bushwick Housing Independence Project with the Sargent Shriver Award for her unwavering engagement in community advocacy, tenant organizing, and mentorship of future advocates.

The work we do at Brooklyn A is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the communities we serve. We partner with an incredible network of neighborhood-based not-for-profit community organizations to develop and sustain the infrastructure of those neighborhoods with truly affordable housing, friendly and nurturing senior centers, com-munity health centers, and day care centers and schools. Our partners also include tenant and community organizers fighting battles to prevent harassment, mistreatment, and displacement of our residents. We help protect homeowners’ equity and prevent families from being evicted. Most of all, we constantly look for ways to expand our reach and effect positive, lasting change in the communities we serve.

Part of ensuring lasting change is to know that there will be talented individuals that can carry on our work. This is why Brooklyn A is committed to nurturing and developing the next generation of leaders of our public interest law practice who are devoted to the neigh-borhoods that we serve. Each year, Brooklyn A welcomes exceptional interns, externs, and Fellows; who bring fresh new energy and a desire to learn how they can leverage their skills to have a meaningful impact making justice a reality in our world. This year we launched the Young Professionals for Justice (YPJ), a group of dedicated friends and alumni of Brook-lyn A who have volunteered their time to helping sustain and grow Brooklyn A’s work. These devoted individuals are already leaders for their generation, and with the right guidance they will have an even greater impact on the communities they serve.

This next generation of public interest lawyers and community advocates needs role models to look up to, people that show us that our dreams of change for the better are achievable. Tonight we honor two great people for their investment of themselves to the greater good, their dedication to strengthening communities, their advocacy for bringing social change for the better and empowering the next generation to do the same. They have gone above and beyond what is expected of the average person. They are an inspira-tion to us all.

Thank you to each of our Honorees for your commitment to creating stronger, better communities and a more just world, and to each of you here tonight for your support. Whether you partner with us in a large or small way, your help is invaluable to us, our cli-ents, and the communities we serve. We extend our deepest gratitude to you for standing with us and continuing to support our mission of building communities, ensuring opportu-nities and achieving justice.

Martin S. Needelman Paul J. Acinapura


2015 Honorees

JUDGE HAROLD R. TYLER AWARD

William Schwartz Of Counsel

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

SARGENT SHRIVER AWARD

Luz Yolanda CocaCommunity Organizer

Bushwick Housing Independence Project, Catholic Migration Services


Bill divides his day into four segments. During the first portion, he actively practices law as Counsel to Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, the nation’s oldest law firm.

During the second segment, he is currently University Professor of Law at the Cardozo Law School. He has served as Dean of the Boston University School of Law and Director of its Center for Estate Planning and as Yeshiva University’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, the university’s Chief Academic Officer. Bill is the author of more than 65 law journal articles and 18 scholarly books. He graduated first in his class from the Boston University School of Law and did post-graduate Special Legal Studies at Harvard Law School. He holds his Masters from Boston University and Doctorates in Humane Letters from Hebrew College and Yeshiva University. Bill is a member of Phi Beta Kappa. While a young law professor at Boston University, he drafted a proposal, “A Modern Ministry of Justice”, which led to the creation of one of the nation’s pioneering and model legal education clinics.

The third part of his day is devoted to corporate and business activities. Bill is a Director of Viacom, where he serves as Chairman of the Governance and Nominating Committee and as a member of the Executive Compensation Committee. He previously served as a di-rector of the Sperry and Hutchinson Company, Chairman of the Board and Director of UST Corporation and General Director (CEO) of The Association of Trial Lawyers of America. He was a member of the New York Stock Exchange’s Legal Advisory Committee.

The last portion of his day is dedicated to public and community service. Bill has been Chairman of the Legal Advisory Panel of the National Commission on Medical Malpractice, a Representative to the NGO of the United Nations, and Chairman of the Blue Ribbon Com-mission on Police Procedures of the City of Boston. He is Honorary Chairman of the Fifth Avenue Synagogue. Bill is an Honorary Member of the National College of Probate Judges and a Fellow of the American College of Trusts and Estates Counsel. He serves as a member of the Board of Overseers of the Syms School of Business and the Board of Governors of Touro College and was a trustee of Salve Regina College.

A native of Rhode Island, Bill married Bernice Konigsberg in 1957 and they have lived in New York City since 1988 when Bill became counsel to Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP. Bill and Bernice are the proud parents and grandparents of two children and four grandchildren.

JUDGE HAROLD R. TYLER AWARD

William Schwartz Of Counsel, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Judge Harold R. Tyler AwardJudge Tyler was a prominent lawyer

and a former Deputy Attorney

General and federal judge, as well as

a named partner at Patterson, Belk-

nap, Webb & Tyler. For Judge Tyler,

the practice of law was always about

public service. He constantly devot-

ed himself not just to private clients

but also to any number of projects

that benefited the world at large.

He understood the vital function

that civil legal service organizations

provide in communities throughout

the United States.


Luz Yolanda Coca was born in the Dominican Republic and raised in a very strict conser-vative family. In those days a woman was expected to be seen but not heard. It would be years before she was able to find the voice which would turn her into a community advo-cate and organizer. She looked to her family as role models for the work she would one day do. Her father was a community leader, who was always committed to the town she grew up in. Yolanda also looked to her mother for her generosity, honesty and dignity.

In 1981 Yolanda moved to New York City, where she was able to find her true self and pursue the life she always envisioned. Her vision for this life always included an education, but in the Dominican Republic she did not have the opportunity to pursue one. Thus, shortly after arriving in the United States, she began seeking formal and informal education-al opportunities, starting with attending English language classes. Education for Yolanda was a bridge to opportunity for a better life.

Her first job in New York was working in a garment factory, where she earned only $3.35 an hour, but it did not take long to for her recognize this was not the right work for her. In order to advance herself, she obtained her GED, and in 1995 she earned her Associate Degree in Art from Boricua College. During this time she became more involved in her com-munity, joining the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in 1992 as a community activist. As a member of ACORN she attended meetings with her two children alongside her to advocate for social justice issues such as affordable housing. In addition to this, Yolanda remained active in her Catholic Church both as a place to worship and to give back to others.

The work she had begun to do in the community, combined with the drive to better her-self through education, did not go unnoticed. In 1997, a friend of hers who worked for the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), a not-for-profit group in South Brooklyn working to advance

SARGENT SHRIVER AWARD

Luz Yolanda CocaCommunity Organizer, Bushwick Housing Independence Project,

Catholic Migration Services

Sargent Shriver AwardSargent Shriver was a founder of

the National Legal Services program

and a dear friend of Brooklyn A. His

passion and profound commitment

to the founding mission, not only to

bring justice to low-income neigh-

borhoods, but also to join with them

as their advocate in rebuilding and

sustaining themselves, continues to

inspire. Sarge’s vision for the legal

services program focused on provid-

ing much needed legal representa-

tion to low-income and marginalized

individuals and families, and also

supporting community-based or-

ganizations that provide services to

their neighborhoods.


economic and social justice, encouraged her to apply for an open AmeriCorps*VISTA volunteer position. Though she hesitated at first, she ultimately decided to apply and was offered the position. She later said “I thanked God that I followed through, because it turned out to be exactly what I wanted to do.” She spent two years with FAC in the vol-unteer VISTA position. After completing the two-year term, FAC was so impressed that they created a paid staff position for her as a Housing Organizer. Yolanda worked with FAC for the next eight years. During that time, she also earned her Paralegal Certificate from Long Island University in 2004.

In 2005, Yolanda felt compelled to return to St. Joseph’s Patron, her communi-ty church in Bushwick. This is when she began her work with the Bushwick Housing Independence Project (BHIP), which was one of the church programs that advocated for low-income and immigrant tenants in Bushwick. Shortly after starting at BHIP she reconnected with Marty Needelman of Brooklyn A, whom she had already known for many years. Marty described Yolanda as being “humble, deeply religious and committed to serving the long-term, low-income residents of Bushwick.” Brooklyn A and BHIP would work together over the course of a few years organizing and representing Bushwick tenants associations. Yolanda helped grow the partnership between BHIP and Brook-lyn A, making referrals for legal cases, as well as helping to form tenant associations to address issues in the community and empower its members. Over time, this partnership has evolved and expanded to represent a greater variety of organizations, and persists to this very day.

BHIP was largely supported through the generosity of church donations and a dedicated team of volunteers. However, during 2014 they faced financial hardship and could no longer afford to offer Yolanda a paid position. But her dedication to BHIP was so strong that she continued to provide the same quality work for the organization as a volunteer. At the same time, she started to experience severe health issues and was ultimately diagnosed with stage three ovarian cancer. After a long and difficult recovery process, all while still working for BHIP, she is now cancer-free. Simultaneously, BHIP also received the help it needed: Catholic Migration Services, a social justice not-for-profit corporation affiliated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, stepped in, enabling BHIP to keep running. These experiences only served to strengthen and reinforce Yolan-da’s faith, and continue to encourage her to keep dedicating herself to those in need in the Bushwick community.

Luz Yolanda Coca hopes that through her work she can be a unifying force between churches, community organizations, and community leaders, to build stronger support in the fight for social justice and creating meaningful changes for those most in need. In helping to establish the relationship between BHIP and Brooklyn A she built a lasting partnership based on mutual respect and trust. Yolanda believes that the work we do cannot stop, and it is therefore important to pour into the next generation the same de-sire for public service. In her own words, she says the “leaders of today need to encour-age and motivate our new generation to build towards our future in this country.”


Jeffrey C. Bank

Wilson, Sonsini, Goodrich & Rosati

Miriam A. Buhl

Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP

Wenli Cai

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Whitney M. Costin


Sarah M. Elliott


Courtney E. Finerty

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Seth Goodchild


Stacey Harkey


Maryam Jazini

Siegel Teitelbaum & Evans LLP

David S. Mader

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP

Kimberley Piro

Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP

Zachary H. Saltzman

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Norman Siegel

Siegel Teitelbaum & Evans LLP

Gustavo Silva Cano


Tiffanye S.M. Threadcraft

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

JoAnna C. Tsoumpas

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Frederick B. Warder III

Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Mina M. Wood

Jackson Lewis LLP

Vincent Zhou


Jason A. Zoldessy

Jackson Lewis LLP

2015 Pro Bono Service Awards


For the past three decades, Eric L. Adams has served the residents of the city of his birth as a police officer, state senator and coalition builder. In November 2013, he was elected to represent all of Brooklyn as borough president. Born in Brownsville and educated in the City’s public school system, Eric is committed to ensuring Brooklyn’s bright future by help-ing each and every Brooklynite reach his or her full potential.

Throughout his career, Eric has been an effective advocate for Brooklyn, bringing people and communities together to create progressive change, and working with both the private and public sectors to invigorate the borough’s economy by encouraging job growth and investment in every neighborhood. Whether his beat was on the street or in the New York State Capitol, Eric has always looked out for Brooklyn’s working families and sought to protect our most vulnerable residents. His tenure as borough president will continue to build upon his career-long commitment to the key pillars of affordable housing, quality public education, and preventative health issues. Eric believes that government works best when everyone has a chance to be heard, and he has resolved to use his office to provide an opportunity for diverse groups to work together for the common good.

In his career as a police officer with NYC Transit and the NYPD, Eric made the kind of life-and-death decisions that reflect his insight, expertise, and poise under fire, resulting not just in his promotion to captain, but earning him the reputation for going above and beyond the call of duty. In 1995, he co-founded 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care, an initiative that not only improved NYPD/community relations, but raised funds for worthy causes throughout the city.

From 2006 until his election to borough president in 2013, Eric represented the 20th Senate District – which includes Borough Park, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Sunset Park, and Windsor Terrace, working tirelessly to address a broad range of issues affecting constituents, from civil rights and public safety to transparency in government and quality of life. He organized support against the NYPD’s controversial “Stop and Frisk” policy, and led efforts on behalf of gun control. As a legislator, Eric’s record in the New York State Senate is one that underscores his strong commitment to the rights of those from every walk of life, from protecting the right to privacy, marriage equality, a woman’s right to choose, students’ and workers’ rights, and animal rights to preventing ra-cial profiling, gender discrimination, domestic violence and elder abuse. He also proposed legislation to reform campaign financing, address inequities in sentencing depending on the crime, restrict outsourcing, and improve the availability of quality health care and affordable housing. Throughout his legislative career, Eric championed community and economic development in his district and borough-wide.

Eric graduated from Bayside High School, New York City Technical College and John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and earned his Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Marist College. He lives in Prospect Heights, where he has resided for 20 years, and is the proud father of Jordan, a student at American University and an aspiring filmmaker.

GUEST SpEAkER

Eric L. AdamsBrooklyn Borough President

Former Guest Speakers2013 Glenn Lau-KeePartner, Kee &Lau-Kee, President of the New York State Bar Association (2014-2015)

2012 Samuel W. SeymourPartner, Sullivan & CromwellPresident of the New York City Bar Association (2010-2012)

2011 James J. SandmanPresident, National Legal Services Corporation

2010 Stephen P. YoungerPartner Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP; President of the New York State Bar Association (2010-2011)

2009 Judith S. KayeOf Counsel, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and AffiliatesRetired Chief Judge of the State of New York (1993-2008) and Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals (1983-2008)

2008 Michael A. CardozoPartner, Proskauer Rose LLPFormer Corporation Counsel for the City of New York


mASTER Of cEREmONIES

Deborah NorvilleAnchor, Inside Edition

Deborah Norville is a two-time Emmy© winner and New York Times Best Selling author. She is known to millions as anchor of Inside Edition, the na-tion’s top-rated syndicated newsmagazine. Norville is also author of a number of books including the New York Times Best Seller, Thank You Power: Making the SCIENCE of Gratitude Work for YOU, which was followed by The Power of Respect, detailing the measurable benefits that result from respectful behavior.

A lifelong crafter and seamstress, she markets the Deborah Norville Yarn Collection. The line of high-quality yarn for knit and crochet enthusiasts has grown 678% in sales since its introduction five years ago. Norville is a Director of the Viacom Corporation where she serves on the Compensation Commit-tee. She regularly addresses business and community groups and is active with a number of charities including the Broadcasters Foundation of America. She is a 4.0 summa cum laude graduate of the University of Georgia. She can be reached via her website www.DeborahNorville.com


Geraldo Rivera is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning journalist and host of “Geraldo Rivera Reports,” a rotating co-host on FOX News Channel’s The Five and provides regular reports and commentary on Fox and Friends, Hannity, The Kelly File and The O’Reilly Factor.

A native New Yorker, Rivera began his 45-year career as a television reporter at WABC-TV in New York. He is the winner of more than 170 journalism awards, including the Robert F. Kennedy journalism award, and the Peabody Award.

Rivera is a graduate of the University of Arizona and Brooklyn Law School, author of seven books, a philanthropist and is married to Erica Michelle Levy and father to five children.

SpEcIAL GUEST

Geraldo RiveraSenior Correspondent, Fox News


Michael D. Fricklas has served in senior man-agement of Viacom’s legal department since 1993; since 1998 he has been General Counsel and Secretary, Via-com’s most senior legal position. Mr. Fricklas is responsible for the legal affairs of Viacom, home to the world’s premier entertainment brands across television, motion pictures, online and on

mobile platforms. Viacom’s iconic brands include MTV, VH1, Nickelodeon, BET, Comedy Central, Spike, TV Land, CMT, Para-mount Pictures and many others.

At Viacom, Mr. Fricklas plays an integral role in guiding complex transactions and resolving disputes, in coordinating the company’s legal and business affairs activities, in corporate governance and in leading Viacom’s Law Department. He is a frequent panelist and lecturer on corporate governance and on the law and business of entertainment.

Mr. Fricklas received a B.S.E.E. from the University of Colorado’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences in 1981 and a J.D., magna cum laude, from Boston University School of Law in 1984.

Mr. Fricklas serves as a member of the planning committee for the Tulane Corporate Law Institute, and a member of the board of advisors of the Center on Civil Justice at New York Uni-versity School of Law, as well as on the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, as a Fellow of the American Bar Foun-dation, on the Board of Creative Future, and on the advisory committee of the New York Legal Aid Society. He is secretary and a member of the Board of Trustees of Jazz at Lincoln Center, a member of the Board of Overseers at Boston University, and co-chair on UJA-Federation of New York’s Entertainment, Media & Communications Division Executive Committee. He is the recipient of the Raising the Bar Award from The Hollywood Reporter, the Counsel of the Year Award from the Association of Media and Entertainment Counsel, the Legal 500 2014 Entertain-ment Individual of the Year, the Excellence in Corporate Practice Award from the Association of Corporate Counsel, and the Jazz for Justice Award from Legal Services NYC, among numerous other awards.

cO-HOST

Michael D.FricklasExecutive Vice President, General Counsel

and Secretary, Viacom Inc.

Betsy Plevan is a partner in Proskauer’s Labor & Employment Law De-partment. She handles a broad range of labor and employment litigation, and provides counseling to clients on sensitive em-ployment and partner-ship matters. In addition to maintaining her active practice, Betsy is a senior member of Proskau-er’s Diversity Steering Committee, and a key

member of the steering committee for Proskauer’s Women’s Alli-ance. Betsy is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, a Fellow of the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers and a Member of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Betsy is also involved in many public service activities. She is a member of the Chief Judge’s Task Force on Access to Justice and serves as Chair of the Magistrate Judge Selection Panel of the Southern District of New York. She is also a former Co-Chair and currently Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

In 2004, Betsy became the second woman to serve as Pres-ident of the New York City Bar Association. While in office, she helped establish the Office of Diversity to provide law firms and corporate law departments with tangible ways to increase gen-der diversity throughout their ranks and in leadership positions. She earlier served as Co-Chair of Committee on Gender Bias of the Second Circuit Task Force on Fairness in Courts

As City Bar President, Betsy also focused on pro bono legal services, helping to brand the City Bar Justice Center and work-ing with the Committee on Pro Bono to develop a list of pro bono principles for law firms.

Betsy was recently selected by The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law as its 2014 Whitney North Seymour Award winner, and received the New York Law Journal’s 2014 Lawyers Who Lead by Example Lifetime Achievement Award for her accomplishments in paving the way for women in law. Betsy was also recently honored at the Legal Aid Society’s 38th Annual Awards Dinner with the Servant of Justice award for her work for and commitment to the mission of equal access to justice for all within the legal community.

cO-HOST

Bettina B. PlevanPartner, Proskauer Rose LLP


2014

Judah Gribetz, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP

Sonya D. Johnson, Nationalgrid

Paloma Hernandez, Urban Health Plan, Inc.

2013

Michael Cooper, Sullivan & Cromwell

Marty Markowitz, Brooklyn Borough President

David Lopez, Community Activist & Poet

2012

William F. Cavanuagh, Jr., Patterson, Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Mariadele Priest, Capital One Bank

Diana Reyna, Deputy, Brooklyn Borough President, Former New York City Council Member for the 34th District

2011

Sargent Shriver (1915-2011) (posthumously), Special Olympics International

Daniel A. Nissenbaum, Urban Investment Group of Goldman Sachs Bank

Harvey Lawrence, Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center

2010

Thomas Moore and Judith Livingston, Kramer, Dillof, Livingston and Moore

Steven Flax, M&T Bank

Mildred Tudy Johnston (1921-2014), Crispus Attucks Community Counsel

2009

John D. Feerick, Fordham University School of Law

Eileen Auld, Citi

Father John Powis, Bushwick Housing Independence Project

2008

Bettina B. Plevan, Proskauer Rose LLP

Vincent F. Palagiano, DIME Community Bancshares, Inc., Dime Savings Bank

Luis Garden Acosta, El Puente

2007

Paul J. Curran, (1933-2008), Kaye Scholer LLP

Brendan J. Dugan, St. Francis College

Maria Contreras-Collier, Cypress Hills Child Care Center

2006

Robert C. Sheehan, Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom LLP & Associates

Terri Thomson, Thomson Strategies LLC

Barbara Schliff, Los Sures (Southside United Housing Development Fund Corporation)

2005

John M. Callagy, Kelly Drye & Warren LLP

Thomas Early, Elderplan

Dr. Claude Offord, Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center

Former Annual Partnership Awards Benefit Honorees

TOP: 2008 APAB, Left to right: Martin S. Needelman, Bettina Plevan (Honoree), Paul J. Acinapura; 2ND DOWN: 2005 APAB, Left to right: Reverend Peter Ma-honey (former BKA board chair), Paul J. Acinapura, Dr. Claude Offord (Honoree), John M. Callagy (Honoree), Thomas Early (Honoree), Martin S. Needleman; THIRD DOWN: 2014 APAB, Left to right: Martin S. Needle-man, Judah Gribetz (Honoree), Sonya D. Johnson (Honoree), Jessica Rose, Paul J. Acinapura; BOTTOM: 2013 APAB, Left to right: Martin S. Needleman, Michael A. Cooper (Honoree), Roma Torre (Master of Ceremo-nies), David Lopez (Honoree), Paul J. Acinapura


2004

Evan A. Davis, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP

Maureen Bateman, Evercore Trust Company

Michael Rochford, St. Nicholas Neighborhood Preservation Corp.

2003

James F. Gill, Bryan Cave LLP

Frederick W. Hill, Retired, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co.

Jeffrey E. Dunston, Northeast Brooklyn Housing Development Corp.

2002

Zachary W. Carter, New York City Law Department

MacDara Lynch, Pfizer Global Manufacturing

Sister Peggy Walsh, Southside Community Mission

2001

Barbara Paul Robinson, Retired, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Marilyn G. Gelber, President Emerita, Brooklyn Community Foundation

Maurice A. Reid, Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center

2000

Frederick A. O. Schwarz, Jr., Cravath, Swaine & Moore LLP, Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law

John M. Imperiale, JPMorgan Chase & Co.

David D. Pagan, Los Sures (Southside United Housing Development Fund Corporation)

1999

Patricia M. Hynes, Allen & Overy LLP

Frances A. Resheske, Con Edison

Adbur Rahman Farrakhan, Oceanhill-Brownsville Tenants Association

1998

Barry H. Garfinkel, Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom LLP & Associates

Magda N. Yrizarry, Verizon

John F. Mulhern, Nuestros Ninos Child Development School

1997

Conrad Harper, Retired, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

Michelle Neugebauer, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation

1996

Henry L. King, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Angela M. Battaglia, Ridgewood Bushwick Senior Citizens Council, Inc.

1995

Judge Harold T. Tyler, Jr., (1922-2005), Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Joseph K. Francois, (1931-2003), Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center

1993

Sargent Shriver, (1915-2011), Special Olympics International

Sally Hernandez-Piñero, East Harlem Business Capital Corporation

Vito J. Lopez, New York State Assemblyman

Philip A. Wheeler, United Auto Workers, Region 9A

1987*

Robert MacCrate, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Charles J. Hynes, New York State Medicaid Fraud Prosecutor

David Trager, (1937-2011), Brooklyn Law School

Sally Hernandez-Pinero, East Harlem Business Capital Corporation

* An additional event in 1987 honored over 40 community leaders.

2013 APAB


Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) provides

high-quality legal services to low-to-moderate income individuals and

not-for-profit community-based organizations (CBOs) in Brooklyn and

throughout New York City.

For over 47 years we have devoted our legal services to advocacy

that protects housing, strengthens families, provides access to educa-

tion and health care, and safeguards subsistence income for our city’s

most vulnerable residents. We have successfully represented and ad-

vised thousands of families in varied and multi-faceted legal matters;

this past year alone, we directly served over 2,000 families, impacting

more than 400,000 New Yorkers. In addition, we represented 59 not-

for-profit organizations undertaking ambitious community develop-

ment projects that have resulted in the creation of affordable housing;

increased patient health care visits; and living wage jobs.

Our Core Programs and ClinicsConsumer and Economic Advocacy Program. We provide homeowners facing foreclosure with representation, advice, and appropriate referrals. We aggressively liti-gate against predatory mortgage schemes and discriminatory lending practices, commencing affirmative litigation challeng-ing predatory lending practices, mortgage fraud, and housing discrimination. We conduct education, counseling, and out-reach to educate the community about fair housing and lending laws, providing updates on developments and changes in the law, changes and developments in loan modification practice, and other programs intended to prevent foreclosure or loan de-fault. We also seek resources to expand our work against all forms of consumer fraud.

Community and Economic Development (CED) Program. We have provided transac-tional legal services to thousands of CBOs. Our CBO clients develop thousands of units

of affordable housing, provide hundreds of thousands of low-income individuals with essential primary and specialty health and dental care, provide child care and youth development services to children from infancy through college, and generally advocate for the rights of the communities they serve.

CED clients range in size from nascent unincorporated groups who are solely staffed by their volunteer boards to large, multi-service CBOs that have become anchors of local infrastructure and job creation in the communities where they are located.

The CED Program provides a wide range of transactional legal services to newly cre-ated not-for-profit organizations including start-up CBOs and NYCHA Tenant Associ-ations (TAs). CBOs and TAs are essential providers of social services and are an important part of the social infrastructure of low-income communities. We assist clients

About Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A)


in becoming more sophisticated in their legal and business acumen and strength-ening their capacity to positively impact the lives of low-income residents. We assist start-up not-for-profits by helping them to incorporate, obtain federal and state tax exemptions, register with the NYS Office of the Attorney General Charities Bureau, and establish workable corporate structures including governance and operational policies.

We support the growth and develop-ment of start-up not-for-profits by pro-viding ongoing assistance on an extensive range of matters including board and orga-nizational liability, employment laws, laws affecting fundraising and corporate and tax compliance issues. We also provide tech-nical assistance in drafting and reviewing contracts, including leases, loan and other financing documents, partnership agree-ments, and construction related contracts.

Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC). The LITC provides individual representation and advice to low-income families. Our at-torney represents taxpayers during audits, appeals, and in Tax Court. We engage in outreach and educational workshops to make sure those low-income families are aware of the Earned Income Tax Credit and other credits and benefits to which they are entitled. For many working families, these are lifesaving cash infusions used to pay for shelter, food, clothes, and education expenses.

Preserving Affordable Housing Program. Brooklyn A’s aggressive housing practice prevents and stops hundreds of evictions of low-income tenants and their families each year by securing repairs and essential services so that our clients are not forced into the streets because of uninhabitable living conditions; helping families obtain the benefits they need to pay rent arrears and afford future rent; and reducing future rents when they are illegally high.

We are a leading provider of essential legal services for tenant groups and low-in-come HDFC co-ops in NYC—a neighbor-hood-based approach to advocacy that focuses on community organizing and out-reach to vulnerable populations. Through our model of affirmative group representa-tion we work to preserve the affordability of the building as a whole, for our clients and future generations.

We employ aggressive legal tactics to take the management authority of an affordable building away from a landlord who is deliberately destroying or neglecting the property, and advise local community partners on how to manage, repair, and rehabilitate the building so the tenants (our clients) can return to their homes.

We form and represent tenant groups through organizing, litigation, and in-house legal counsel activities in partnership with CBOs. The core of our group housing pro-gram focuses on representing active tenant associations and low-to-moderate income HDFCs.

We pursue impact litigation that achieves lasting effects in public policy and litigation, and positively impacts large seg-ments of the community. We partner with CBOs on community planning, advocacy, and organizing efforts to prevent tenant displacement and landlord abuse and to educate the larger public about affordable housing issues and laws. We work hand-in-hand with CBOs to encourage tenants to join group efforts, educate communi-ty activists about housing laws and due process, and participate in rent strikes and demonstrations in order to maximize their capacity to address the different challenges that they face.

About Brooklyn A continued

Brooklyn A’s Williamsburg Office


OFFICERS

James H.R. Windels, Chair Partner Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Robert E. Crotty, Co-Chair Partner Kelley Drye & Warren LLP

Thomas McC. Souther, Treasurer Partner Pepper Hamilton LLP

Anne Pilsbury, Secretary Executive Director Central American Legal Assistance

MEMBERS

Robert L. Begleiter Partner, Constantine Cannon LLP

Sam Beck Senior Lecturer, Director of the New York City Urban Semester Program, Cornell University

Harold Green President, Cypress Hills Local Development Corp.

Jyotin Hamid Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton LLP

Valarie A. Hing Partner, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle

Harvey Lawrence President, Brownsville Multi-Service Family Health Center

Joseph Lipofsky Of Counsel, Zwerling Schachter & Zwerling

David Lopez Board Chair, Southside United HDFC - Los Sures

Frances Lucerna Executive Director, El Puente

Kenneth J. Mahon Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, DIME Savings Bank

Saul B. Shapiro Partner, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP

Brooklyn A Board of Directors


Martin S. Needelman, Esq. Co-Executive Director & Chief Counsel

Paul J. Acinapura, Esq. Co-Executive Director & General Counsel

Ndukwe Agwu, Esq. Senior Staff Attorney Blackshear Fellow, Consumer & Economic Advocacy Program

Sebastian Brady Legal Services Coordinator, Preserving Affordable Housing Program Individual Representation Unit, AmeriCorps*Vista

David J. Bryan, Esq. Program Director Consumer & Economic Advocacy Program

Wenli Cai, Esq. Staff Attorney, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett Extern, Community & Economic Development Program

Samuel Hamilton Chiera Brooklyn Law School Fellow Preserving Affordable Housing Program Group Representation Unit

Tamara del Carmen, Esq. Senior Staff Attorney Low-Income Taxpayer Clinic

Joshua D. Hoffman, Esq. Director of Finance & Administration

Caroline Iosso Fair Housing Advocate Preserving Affordable Housing Program Group Representation Unit

Shekar Krishnan, Esq. Program Director, Preserving Affordable Housing Program Group Representation Unit

Janna Levin, Esq. Staff Attorney, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Individual Representation Unit

Gregory E. Louis, Esq. Senior Staff Attorney, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Group Representation Unit

Mateja Luciç Development & Communications Coordinator, AmeriCorps*VISTA

Andrew Malozemoff, Esq. Staff Attorney, Consumer & Economic Advocacy Program

Leander (Lee) McRae, Esq. Program Director, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Individual Representation Unit

Adam Meyers, Esq. Staff Attorney, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Group Representation Unit

Rosemarie Peralta Intake/Reception

Maria Posner Office Manager

Gloria Ramón, M.P.P. Director of Development & Communications

Austen D. Refuerzo, Esq. Staff Attorney, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Individual Representation Unit

Charnyl Revere Legal Services Coordinator, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Individual Representation Unit, AmeriCorps*Vista

Jessica Rose, Esq. Program Director, Community & Economic Development Program

Myrna Sanabria Paralegal, Preserving Affordable Housing, Individual Representation Unit

Shimon Sieskel Reception

Christopher Sina Staff Attorney, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Individual Representation Unit

Yin Sok Development & Communications Coordinator, AmeriCorps*VISTA

Serena Stewart Development & Communications Coordinator, AmeriCorps*VISTA

Joyce Vargas Paralegal, Consumer & Economic Advocacy Program

Sara Wolkensdorfer, Esq. Staff Attorney, Poverty Justice Solutions Fellow, Preserving Affordable Housing Program, Group Representation Unit

Brooklyn A Team




October 29, 2015 Dear Friends: I am honored to extend my congratulations to Brooklyn Legal Services on the occasion of its Annual Partnership Awards Benefit, and to recognize the work the organization has done for the Brooklyn. Since its inception 44 years ago, Brooklyn Legal Services has provided high quality, neighborhood based civil legal services to low income individuals, families, community groups, and nonprofit organizations in Brooklyn. In the last year alone, Brooklyn Legal Services has helped 2,000 residents with their legal issues. Brooklyn Legal Services works to help stop evictions, litigate against discriminatory lending practices, preserve affordable housing, and make Brooklyn a better place to live and work for all of its residents. I would also like to extend my congratulations to tonight’s honorees: William Schwartz with the Judge Harold Tyler Award; and Yolanda Coca with the Sargent Shriver Award. During tonight’s benefit, we celebrate the great service that Brooklyn Legal Services has provided to our community. I look forward to working with you for many years to come. Sincerely, Daniel Squadron State Senator 26th Senate District

DANIEL SQUADRON

SENATOR, 26TH DISTRICT

THE SENATE STATE OF NEW YORK

CHAIR CITIES COMMITTEE

VICE-CHAIR SOCIAL SERVICES

COMMITTEES CODES

CORPORATIONS, AUTHORITIES & COMMISSIONS

EDUCATION HOUSING, CONSTRUCTION

& COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM,

PARKS & RECREATION TRANSPORTATION

VETERANS

ALBANY OFFICE: 515 LEGISLATIVE OFFICE BUILDING, ALBANY, NY 12247, (518) 455-2625 MANHATTAN OFFICE: 250 BROADWAY, SUITE 2011, NEW YORK, NY 10007, (212) 298-5565

BROOKLYN OFFICE: BROOKLYN BOROUGH HALL ROOM 300, 209 JORALEMON ST., BROOKLYN, NY 11201


DISTRICT OFFICE: 1669 Bedford Avenue, 2nd Floor Brooklyn, New York 11225 Phone: (718) 284-4700 Fax: (718) 282-3585 ALBANY OFFICE: Legislative Office Building, Room 608 Albany, New York 12247 Phone: (518) 284-4700 Fax: (518) 426-6856

RANKING COMMITTEES BANKS MENTAL HEALTH COMMITTEES AGRICULTURE CODES COMMERCE EDUCATION ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS

NEW YORK STATE SENATE SENATOR JESSE HAMILTON

October 29, 2015 Dear Friends, It is my pleasure to join the Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) in celebrating the contributions of the distinguished honorees of your Annual Partnership Awards Benefit. Congratulations to William Schwartz of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP, the Judge Harold Tyler Award recipient and congratulations to Yolanda Coca of the Bushwick Housing Independence Project, the Sargent Shriver Award recipient. All the evening’s honorees have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to advancing the well-being of New Yorkers. That self-same commitment to the well-being of New Yorkers has been demonstrated in Brooklyn A’s more than 47-years-long work of bringing advocacy, outreach, and support to neighborhoods across Brooklyn. The challenges Brooklyn A helps us confront are manifold, from consumer protection and affordable housing, to promoting lifelong education and economic development, Brooklyn A serves as an essential hub in a broad partnership promoting social and economic justice for Brooklynites and all New Yorkers. My best wishes for continued success in your endeavors. I extend my best wishes as well to everyone who has gathered to celebrate the contributions of this evening's honorees, whose dedication serves as a beacon to all New Yorkers. Sincerely, Jesse E. Hamilton New York State Senator 20th District


▫ Room 839, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-3053

▫ 6605 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, New York 11219, (718) 232-9565

October 29, 2015 Dear Friends, Best wishes to Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) on your Annual Partnership Awards Benefit. I am aware that for over 47 years, Brooklyn A, has been promoting justice, protecting the public interest, and empowering the communities through its quality legal assistance. As a result of its determination to preserve the communities and fight on behalf of low-income residents, Brooklyn A helps improve the quality of life for countless low-income individuals and families with issues involving discrimination and from becoming homeless. Brooklyn A’s determination is extraordinary and deserves to be honored for its tireless efforts in building stronger communities. I extend my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support. Additionally, I would like to congratulate this year’s honorees: William Schwartz with the Judge Harold Tyler Award for his dedication and commitment to public services and Yolanda Coca with the Sargent Shriver Award for her strong commitment to community advocacy. Again, my best wishes for a wonderful evening and the ongoing promotion of social and economic justice. Many thanks for your participation and support.

Sincerely,

Peter J. Abbate, Jr. Member of Assembly

PETER J. ABBATE, JR. Assemblyman 49TH District Kings County

THE ASSEMBLY STATE OF NEW YORK

ALBANY

CHAIRMAN Committee on

Governmental Employees

CHAIRMAN Subcommittee on

Safety in the Work Place

COMMITTEES Aging Banks

Consumer Affairs & Protection Labor


STEVEN H. CYMBROWITZ Assemblyman 45th District

Kings County


ALBANY

CHAIRMAN

Committee on Aging

COMMITTEES Codes

Environmental Conservation Health

Insurance

DISTRICT OFFICE: 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road, Brooklyn, New York, 11235, (718) 743-4078, FAX (718) 368-4391 ALBANY OFFICE: Room 824, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-5214, FAX (518) 455-5738

E-MAIL: [email protected] WEBSITE: www.assembly.state.ny.us

October 29, 2015

Dear Friends, It gives me great pleasure to extend warm wishes to everyone gathered here for Brooklyn Legal Services’ Annual Partnership Awards Benefit.

I would especially like to congratulate this evening’s well-deserving honorees: William Schwartz with the Judge Harold Tyler Award and Yolanda Coca with the Sargent Shriver Award. All two of these individuals exemplify a tireless commitment to public service and community advocacy, and serve as a beacon to the people whose lives they have helped transform.

As we celebrate Brooklyn Legal Services’ more than 47 years of building stronger communities, we also recognize its unwavering dedication to providing low-income residents with the information, advice, and legal representation that they may otherwise not be able to afford. Our community is better off today because of Brooklyn Legal Services’ embodiment of the true spirit of philanthropy. You have reached out to countless families and individuals in need, and vastly improved so many lives through your benevolence and compassion.

My best wishes for a wonderful evening. I wish Brooklyn Legal Services continued

success in the coming years.

Sincerely, Steven H. Cymbrowitz

Member of Assembly


632 Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248 (518) 455-4477 FAX (518) 455-4599 District Office: 619 Lorimer Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211 (718 383-7474 FAX (718) 383-1576

THE ASSEMBLY Chairman STATE OF NEW YORK Committee on Codes

ALBANY COMMITTEES

Rules Ways & Means Election Law

JOSEPH R. LENTOL Assemblyman 50th District Kings County [email protected]

Dear Friends, It is a great pleasure to welcome you to the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit hosted by Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A). I wish to congratulate Brooklyn A on its 47 years of promoting justice and empowering our community through its quality legal assistance. It deserves to be commended for its outstanding service in our community, and I wish to express my sincere gratitude. I would like to congratulate this year’s honorees: William Schwartz, who is receiving the Judge Harold Tyler Award for his dedication and commitment to public service; and, Yolanda Coca who is receiving the Sargent Shriver Award for her unweaving commitment to community advocacy.

My best wishes for a wonderful evening and the ongoing promotion of social and economic justice. Many thanks for your participation and support.

Sincerely, Joseph R. Lentol Assemblyman, 50th A.D.


DISTRICT OFFICE Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building

55 Hanson Place, Room 328 Brooklyn, New York 11217

718-596-0100 FAX: 718-596-4992

ALBANY OFFICE Room 528

Legislative Office Building Albany, New York 12248

518-455-5325 FAX: 518-455-3684

EMAIL [email protected]

September 30th, 2015

Dear Friends: As the New York State Assembly representative for the central Brooklyn communities of Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights and parts of Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights, it is my distinct pleasure to recognize the outstanding work of the Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) and to congratulate tonight’s honorees. For over 47 years, Brooklyn A has been relentlessly promoting justice, protecting public interest, and empowering the communities through its quality legal assistance. As a result of their determination to preserve the communities Brooklyn A has fought and helped improve the quality of life for countless low-income Brooklyn residents. Brooklyn A’s determination is extraordinary and deserves to be commended for building stronger communities. I am proud to join with Brooklyn A and the Brooklyn community at-large to congratulate and recognize the phenomenal accomplishments of tonight’s honorees: Mr. William Schwartz with the Judge Harold Tyler Award for his dedication and commitment to public service and Ms. Yolanda Coca with the Sargent Shriver Award for her strong commitment to community advocacy. My best wishes for a wonderful evening and continued success in your future endeavors. Sincerely, Walter T. Mosley New York State Assemblyman, 57th District WTM/el


ALBANY

WALTER T. MOSLEY

Assemblyman 57th District

COMMITTEES Housing Banks Codes

Correction Education


September 30, 2015 Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A 260 Broadway, Suite 2 Brooklyn, NY 11211 Dear Friends, It is a great pleasure to welcome you all to the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit hosted by Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A). For over 47 years, Brooklyn A has been relentlessly promoting justice, protecting public interest, and empowering the communities through its quality legal assistance. As a result of its determination to preserve the communities and fight on behalf of the low-income residents, Brooklyn A helps improve the quality of life of countless low-income individuals and families by withstanding discrimination and from becoming homeless. Brooklyn A’s determination is extraordinary and deserve to be commended for its role and effort in building a stronger communities.

On behalf of every community organization that has collaborated with Brooklyn A, and every citizen whose life has been touched by the efforts of these collaborations, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your ongoing support.

Additionally, I would like to congratulate this year’s honorees: William Schwartz,

the Judge Harold Tyler Award for his dedication and commitment to public service and Yolanda Coca, the Sargent Shriver Award for her unweaving commitment to community advocacy.

My best wishes for a wonderful evening and the ongoing promotion of social and

economic justice. Many thanks for your participation and support.

Sincerely,

Roxanne J. Persaud Member of Assembly- 59th AD

OFFICE OF ASSEMBLYWOMAN

ROXANNE J. PERSAUD 59TH DISTRICT

DISTRICT OFFICE: 5318 Avenue N 1st Floor Store

Brooklyn NY 11234 718-252-2124

FAX 718-252-2417

ALBANY OFFICE: Room 324, Legislative Office Building

Albany, New York 12248 518-455-5211

FAX 518-455-5043 E-MAIL: [email protected]

COMMITTEES Higher Education

Children and Families Libraries and Education Technology

Real Property Taxation Social Services

Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic &

Asian Legislative Caucus Legislative Women’s Caucus



ANNETTE M. ROBINSON Assemblywoman 56th District

Kings County

THE ASSEMBLY

STATE OF NEW YORK ALBANY

CHAIR Banking Committee

COMMITTEES

Aging Children & Families

Housing Oversight, Analysis and

Investigation Real Property Taxation

Small Business

▫ ALBANY OFFICE Room 424, Legislative Office Building, Albany, New York 12248, (518) 455-5474

▫ DISTRICT OFFICE 1360 Fulton Street, Room 417, Brooklyn, New York 11216 (718) 399-7630

October 29, 2015 Greetings: Congratulations to Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) and the honorees of the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit. On behalf of my constituents in the 56th Assembly District I would like to thank Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A for providing legal services to individuals and community groups in Brooklyn. I commend you for your commitment and dedication to improving the lives of people in our community. Once again, congratulations and best wishes for an enjoyable evening. Sincerely, Annette M. Robinson Member, N. Y. S. Assembly


T H E C I T Y O F N EW YO RK O FFI C E O F T H E M A Y O R N EW Y O RK , N Y 1 0 0 0 7

October 29, 2015 Dear Friends: I am honored to join Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A in welcoming everyone to the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit.

My administration is working to ensure all 8.5 million New Yorkers have an equally empowered voice in our democracy and access to the tools they need to thrive. Among the most important steps we have taken toward achieving these goals is improving and expanding civil legal services so that more New Yorkers are protected from injustices that result in undue hardship. We are fortunate to have many community partners who are equally committed to this cause. For almost five decades, Brooklyn A’s extraordinary staff have provided quality legal assistance to low-income individuals, families, community groups and nonprofit organizations throughout the borough of Brooklyn. In doing so, they have advanced Brooklyn A’s founding mission to promote justice, protect public interest and empower communities. I applaud the organization’s comprehensive and collaborative approach, and look forward to building a brighter tomorrow alongside all the wonderful New Yorkers in the room tonight. On behalf of the City of New York, I extend congratulations to tonight’s honorees and offer my best wishes for an inspiring evening and continued success. Sincerely, Bill de Blasio Mayor


The Public Advocate for the City of New York

Letitia James – Public Advocate

October 25, 2015 Dear Friends: It is with great pleasure that I extend greetings to all who have gathered for the Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A’s Annual Partnership Awards Benefit. For over forty-seven years, Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A has steadfastly worked to represent and advise low-income families, community groups and non-profit organizations with civil legal matters. The services Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A provides are vital, in all respects and essential to people who cannot afford skilled legal representation. Such service, which is truly the lifeblood of the community and the city, so often goes unrecognized and unrewarded. As Public Advocate for the City of New York, I would like to extend congratulations to the honorees including William Schwartz of Cadwalader & Taft, Wickersham LLP and Yolanda Coca of Bushwick Housing Independence Project. On this special night, I would like to thank Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A and its dedicated staff for the work that they are doing to support the community. I hope that everyone has an enjoyable night and may you enjoy continued success in all your endeavors. Sincerely, Letitia James Public Advocate for the City of New York


October 29, 2015 Dear Friends, Greetings to everyone gathered here tonight at Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A)’s Annual Partnership Awards Benefit! Legal organizations like Brooklyn A are vital to our city in so many ways. In addition to providing important legal services to those in need, they also help maintain and strengthen our city’s civil justice system. They also serve as key allies in our efforts to create a more equal and just New York City, where everyone, regardless of what borough they are from or what challenges they face, has equal access to justice. On this special night of celebration, I would like to thank Brooklyn A and its dedicated members and partners for the critically important work that they are doing to help protect the rights of our city’s most vulnerable population and ensure that they have the legal support they need. Your advocacy on behalf of our Brooklyn community have strengthened and uplifted our city, and we are deeply grateful for your ongoing efforts to promote social and economic justice. Congratulations as well to all of this year’s honorees. I hope everyone has a wonderful time tonight. Enjoy! Sincerely, MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO Speaker

MELISSA MARK-VIVERITO SPEAKER

TELEPHONE (212) 788-7210

THE COUNCIL OF

THE CITY OF NEW YORK CITY HALL

NEW YORK, NY 10007


October 29, 2015

Dear Friends: I am pleased to congratulate Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) on the occasion of its Annual Partnership Awards Benefit. I would especially like to thank tonight’s honorees for their enduring support of Brooklyn A: William Schwartz, recipient of the Judge Harold Tyler Award for his dedication and commitment to public service, and Yolanda Coca, recipient of the Sargent Shriver Award for her strong commitment to community advocacy. . Brooklyn A’s determination to empower the community is extraordinary. For over 47 years, the organization has promoted justice and the public interest through its quality legal assistance. Brooklyn A helps improve the quality of life of countless low-income individuals and families by combatting discrimination and the threat of homelessness. I am proud to join the many community organizations that have collaborated with Brooklyn A and every New Yorker whose life has been touched by the fruit of these collaborations in saluting them for their inspiring work.

As New York City Council Member representing the 25th district, I wish the Brooklyn A team and every attendee of the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit a wonderful evening. Thank you for enriching the lives of all who call our great city home.

Sincerely,

Daniel Dromm New York City Council Member Chairperson, Committee on Education

COMMUNITY OFFICE

37-32 75TH STREET, 1ST FLOOR

JACKSON HEIGHTS, NY 11372

TEL: (718) 803-6373

FAX: (718) 803-9832

CITY HALL OFFICE

250 BROADWAY, ROOM 1826

NEW YORK, NY 10007

TEL: (212) 788-7066

EMAIL: [email protected]

THE COUNCIL OF

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

DANIEL DROMM COUNCIL MEMBER, 25

TH

DISTRICT, QUEENS

CHAIR

EDUCATION

_____________________ COMMITTEES

CIVIL RIGHTS

CIVIL SERVICE & LABOR

IMMIGRATION

OVERSIGHT & INVESTIGATIONS

SUBCOMMITTEE

NON-PUBLIC SCHOOLS



October 29, 2015

Dear Friends: I am delighted to attend this year’s Annual Partnership Awards Benefit hosted by Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) and celebrate the crucial services this organization offers to our community. Brooklyn A is known for promoting justice and empowering our neighbors by fighting for the rights of low-income residents, especially when families are facing housing discrimination or are in danger of losing their home. As a public servant, it is an honor to recognize the vital legal services Brooklyn A provides to our community. Please allow me to extend my best wishes to the hard-working staff and volunteers who do so much for our city throughout the year. I thank all of Brooklyn A’s dedicated individuals for their commitment to helping those around them. I would also like to thank and congratulate this year’s honorees for everything they’ve done to help those in need. I wish Brooklyn A many more years of continued accomplishment and I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for Brooklyn A on behalf of all the residents in my district and all the New Yorkers you have helped in the past 47 years. Truly Yours,

Dr. Mathieu Eugene Council Member, Chairman of Youth Services 40th District, Brooklyn

DISTRICT OFFICE 123 LINDEN BOULEVARD

BROOKLYN, NY 11226 TEL: (718) 287-8762 FAX: (718) 287-8917

CITY HALL OFFICE

250 BROADWAY, SUITE 1789 NEW YORK, NY 10007

TEL: (212) 788-7352 FAX: (212) 788-8087

[email protected]

THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK

MATHIEU EUGENE COUNCIL MEMBER, 40TH DISTRICT • BROOKLYN

CHAIR YOUTH SERVICES

–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

COMMITTEES CIVIL RIGHTS

FIRE & CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES

HEALTH IMMIGRATION

SMALL BUSINESS



October 29, 2015 Dear Friends, I am honored to welcome everyone to the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit hosted by Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A (Brooklyn A) at the Williamsburg Savings Bank. For over 47 years, Brooklyn A has persistently promoted justice, protected public interest, and empowered communities through its quality legal assistance. As we face the overwhelming pressures of gentrification, displacement, and rising property values in Brooklyn, Brooklyn A’s grit is extraordinary and deserves to be commended for its role and effort in building a stronger community and working to preserve the character of North Brooklyn. As a result of its determination to preserve the communities and fight on behalf of low-income families, Brooklyn A helps improve the quality of life of countless low-income individuals.

On behalf of every community organization that has collaborated with Brooklyn A, and every citizen whose life has been touched by the efforts of these partnerships, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude for your constant support.

Furthermore, I would like to congratulate this year’s honorees: William Schwartz with

the Judge Harold Tyler Award for his dedication and commitment to public service and Yolanda Coca with the Sargent Shriver Award for her unweaving commitment to community advocacy.

My best wishes for a delightful evening and the ongoing advancement of social and

economic justice. Many thanks for your contribution and support.

Sincerely, Antonio Reynoso Council Member, 34th District Brooklyn / Queens

DISTRICT OFFICE 244 UNION AVE

BROOKLYN, NY 11206 TEL: (718) 963-3141

CITY HALL OFFICE

250 BROADWAY, SUITE 1740 NEW YORK, NY 10007

TEL: (212) 788-7096

THE COUNCIL OF

THE CITY OF NEW YORK

ANTONIO REYNOSO COUNCIL MEMBER, 34

TH

DISTRICT, BROOKLYN & QUEENS

CHAIR SANITATION

COMMITTEE EDUCATION LAND USE HOUSING

TRANSPORTATION STATE-FEDERAL LAW

SUB-COMMITTEE

ZONING AND FRANCHISES


We’re proud to support Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A!

Dime understands the importance of serving and supporting

our communities. For over 150 years, we have been providing

friendly, professional service and valuable support to neighbors,

businesses and community organizations across the New York

area. That’s why we’re proud to support Brooklyn Legal Services

Corporation A.

800.321.DIME(3463)dime.com

©2015 The Dime Savings Bank of Williamsburgh.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE 2015 ANNUAL PARTNERSHIP AWARDS RECIPIENTS


Congratulations We are pleased to support Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A and congratulate tonight’s honorees, William Schwartz and Yolanda Coca.


Congratulations andvery best wishes to our

dear friendWilliam Schwartz.

INGEBORG & IRA RENNERT


© 2015 Davis Polk & Wardwell llpdavispolk.com

New YorkMenlo ParkWashington DC São PauloLondon

ParisMadridTokyoBeijingHong Kong

Davis Polk is proud to support Brooklyn A in its vital efforts to improve the quality of life in the neighborhoods it serves.


Debevoise is pleased to support Brooklyn Legal

Services Corporation and joins in honoring

William Schwartz and Yolanda Coca

www.debevoise.com


For more information about Kelley Drye, visit us at www.kelleydrye.com.

KELLEY DRYE & WARREN LLP

congratulates

BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICESCORPORATION A

and its Honorees

William SchwartzYolanda Coca

for their dedication and support in providing high quality legal

assistance to low-income individuals and groups in Brooklyn


We are proud to sponsor Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A and its mission to build, improve and sustain neighborhoods throughout New York City by providing high-quality legal services to low-income individuals and community groups.

Congratulations to our own William Schwartz and to all of tonight’s honorees, whose commitment to projects and causes that benefit those in need inspires us all.

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP www.cadwalader.com


When our community succeeds, we all succeed.

At M&T Bank, we know how important it is to support those organizations

that make our communities better places to live and work. That’s why we

offer both our time and resources and encourage others to do the same.

mtb.com ©2015 M&T Bank. Member FDIC.












BEST WISHES to

Martin S. Needelman and to the

Members of the Board and Professional and Administrative Staff

of BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES CORPORATION A

˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜ CONGRATULATIONS

to Honorees

William Schwartz and

Yolanda Coca ˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜˜ PITTA & GIBLIN LLP

LABOR * EMPLOYMENT * EMPLOYEE BENEFITS * REGULATORY COMPLIANCE * CAMPAIGN FINANCE COMPLIANCE

PITTA BISHOP DEL GIORNO & GIBLIN LLC LOBBYING * CONSULTING * GOVERNMENT RELATIONS * PUBLIC AFFAIRS * CRISIS MANAGEMENT

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS * BUILDING AND FIRE SAFETY

111 Washington Ave, Suite 401 Albany, New York 12210

Telephone (518) 449-3320 Facsimile (518) 449-5812

120 Broadway, 28th Floor New York, New York 10271 Telephone (212) 652-3890 Facsimile (212) 652-3891

25 Hyatt Street, Suite 202 Staten Island, NY 10301

Telephone (718) 943-1050 Facsimile (718) 943-1051


MAZEL TOV

TO MY OUTSTANDING LAWYER,

AND

A WONDERFUL FRIEND

SAM HABER AND FAMILY


Congratulations

to

all of the deserving honorees

and to

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

for

over forty years of commitment

to the people of Brooklyn.

MORRIS KIRSCHNER PERPETUAL CHARITABLE TRUST

Cye E. Ross, Attorney at Law30 Vesey Street, Suite 1800

New York, N.Y 10007(212) 732-0843



In honor of our Director, former Chairman and President:

Professor William Schwartz

Congratulations on receiving the Judge Harold Tyler Award.

You are not only an outstanding friend, mentor and role model for the Synagogue, but also for the Jewish people and the entire world.

We feel blessed to be close to you.

President Jacob D. GoldRabbi Eli Babich


We are proud to continue our support forBrooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

and to celebrate itsAnnual Partnership Awards Benefit

We join in congratulating tonight’s honorees

1133 Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10036 212.336.2000 www.pbwt.com

William Schwartz recipient of the

Judge Harold Tyler Award

Yolanda Cocarecipient of the


BROOKLYN LEGAL SERVICES

CORPORATION

W E S A L U T E

A N D C O N G R A T U L A T E I T S H O N O R E E S

cultivate dreams

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Infor proudly supports the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit

infor.comCopyright © 2015 Infor. All rights reserved.

Infor builds beautiful business applications with last mile functionality and scientific insights delivered as a cloud service. With 13,000 employees and customers in more than 200 countries and territories, Infor automates critical processes and helps eliminate the need for customization through embedded industry domain expertise.


proudly supports the

Brooklyn Legal Services’Annual Partnership Awards Benefit

and Congratulates all HonoreesThe Foundation was created by the members of

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosatias a commitment to the community we serve.

650 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, California 94304-1050 Phone 650-493-9300 | Fax 650-493-6811 | www.wsgr.com

Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A Annual Partnership Awards Benefit

BMS Congratulates the 2015 Honorees

Celebrating over 30 Years of Quality Medical Care. At BMS You Come First…We Make it Easy

Judge Harold Tyler Award William Schwartz

Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP


Yolanda Coca Brooklyn Housing Independence Project


Congratulates

William Schwartz

& Yolanda Coca

For your leadership, commitment and service our communities!

2 Kingsland Avenue ▪ BK 11211 www.stnicksalliance.org

718-388-5454

Congratulations to Brooklyn “A” and to the Honorees for their tireless efforts to provide affordable housing for

communities in need.

Doing business in New York and New Jersey requires a company that knows the intricacies of doing business in both locations. With an office staffed by specialists in both markets, Federated Title Services can provide you with valuable insight throughout the transaction that will streamline and simplify your closing process. To find out how we can help you, please contact us by phone at (212) 796-4250 or (732) 832-7200 or by e-mail at [email protected].

Michael Benzi, Esq.

FEDERATED TITLE SERVICES

For more information please contact Michael Benzi or visit

us online at www.federatedts.com

New York: 501 Seventh Avenue

6th Floor New York, NY 10018 Phone: 212-796-4250

Fax: 212-428-6730

New Jersey: 100 Lakeview Avenue

Suite 1 Jamesburg, NJ 08831 Phone: 732-832-7200

Fax: 732-612-1122


Honoring

William SchwartzHumanitarian

for hislifetime commitment to the recognition

of dignity in every human being.

With our profound respect,ARNOLD AND BRENDA ZALTAS

Congratulations to William Schwartz on being selected to receive to the Judge Harold R. Tyler Award.

There is no better recipient than William Schwartz, who embodies the total commitment to promoting the legal profession and achieving equal access to the law, for all.

FROM BARBARA AND GEORGE HANUS FAMILY


CONGRATULATIONS AND

WARMEST WISHES.

FROM ALVIN AND GARY BLOCK

MIDAMERICA GROUP

DIVISION OF ARTHUR J.

GALLAGHER & CO.

Congratulations to Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A and the 2015 honorees of the Annual Partnership Awards Benefit:

Yolanda Coca, Bushwick Housing Independence ProjectWilliam Schwartz, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP

Thank you for your service and commitment to ourBrooklyn community.

Brooklyn Bar Association Foundation, Inc.

Arthur L. Aidala, Esq., President

Avery Eli Okin, Esq., CAE, Executive Director

Paloma Hernandez - IzquierdoPresident & CEO

Dr. Richard IzquierdoFounder

CongratulationsBrooklyn Legal Services

Corporation Aon the

2015 Annual PartnershipAwards Benefit

About Urban Health Plan, Inc.We are a network of community

health centers located in the Bronx and Queens. We are committed

to improving the health of the communities we serve.

For more information about Urban Health Plan

Please call (718) 589-2440www.urbanhealthplan.org


Congratulations

to our friend

William Schwartz.

jerome and ruth turk

The Rose-Belkin-Rosen- Garcia Family applauds BKA for another year of fighting for high-quality

affordable housing and care for all Brooklynites.

Congratulations! to the 2015 Honoree of the

Judge Harold R. Tyler Award from

1456 Fulton Street, Brooklyn NY 11216 718-636-4500 www.bsfhc.org

Offering a full range of high quality disease prevention,diagnostic, and primary & specialty care services,

delivered with dignity and compassion.

Jean Caston Black Patricia R. FernandezBoard Chairperson CEO/President

The printing of this journal was made possible by a generous contribution from Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP.

Thank you!Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A

Special wishes for

William Schwartz

from Vera Rausnitz.

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO OUR DEAR FRIEND

WILLIAM SCHWARTZ.

FROM HARRY GOLDFEIER AND FAMILY

Skadden proudly supports Brooklyn Legal Services Corporation A.

We congratulate William Schwartz and Yolanda Coca, the honorees at tonight’s annual awards benefit.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Affiliates

Beijing

Boston

Brussels

Chicago

Frankfurt

Hong Kong

Houston

London

Los Angeles

Moscow

Munich

New York

Palo Alto

Paris

São Paulo

Seoul

Shanghai

Singapore

Sydney

Tokyo

Toronto

Washington, D.C.

Wilmington

skadden.com

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