In celebration of National Pro Bono Week, the City Bar Justice Center held the second annual Jeremy G. Epstein Awards for outstanding pro bono service on October 25, 2010. Jeremy G. Epstein, who passed away in May 2009, was a partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP and a longtime board member at the City Bar Justice Center. He logged over 5,000 hours of pro bono and public service over 20 years, and the Awards are a tribute to his legacy.

Photo credit: Rick Kopstein, NY Law Journal

This year's winners are:
Burke Blackman, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
John Schmitt, Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP
Mara Byrne, Citigroup
James Cassidy, Adams & Salter LLP
Robert Gingher, Dickstein Shapiro LLP
Daniel Gomez, Verizon
Katharine Parker, Proskauer Rose LLP
Maia Ridberg, Covington & Burling LLP
David Rubin, Golenbock Eiseman Assor Bell & Peskoe LLP
Heidi Schmid, Linklaters
Terry Wells, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP

Sidney H. Stein, United States District Judge for the Southern District of New York, delivered the keynote address, and Austin T. Fragomen, Jr., City Bar Fund Board Chair, presented the awards. City Bar President Samuel W. Seymour and City Bar Justice Center Executive Director Lynn M. Kelly, also spoke.

"Pro bono service is indispensable in making access to justice available for all New Yorkers," said Lynn Kelly. "The City Bar Justice Center relies on volunteer lawyers, and the talent and insight they bring to each project. We are pleased to have been able to recognize some of the outstanding lawyers giving back to help needy New Yorkers."