City Bar Justice Center Announces Honorees of its 2024 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Awards

CONTACT 
Jaclyn Kramer 
Director of Advancement 
212-382-6661 
jkramer@nycbar.org 

New York, October 22, 2024 – The City Bar Justice Center, a pro bono legal services affiliate of the New York City Bar Association, is pleased to announce the winners of its 2024 Outstanding Pro Bono Service Awards. Honoring volunteer volunteers who have demonstrated an exemplary commitment to justice, the honorees will be awarded at an in-person celebration on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. 

This year’s awardees are: 

Alex (Lenny) Leonard, Assistant General Counsel with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York 

Christina T. Holder, Public Interest Counsel at Lowenstein Sandler LLP 

Debra L. Raskin, Partner Emerita at Vladeck, Raskin & Clark P.C. 

Emily Wexler, Pro Bono Counsel at Sidley Austin LLP 

Emma K. Pletenycky, Associate at Day Pitney LLP 

Jordan E. Elkin, Associate at Kirkland & Ellis LLP 

Nicole Fadel, Practice Assistant at Kirkland & Ellis LLP 

Sara Thompson, Managing Director & Counsel at Mizuho Americas 

Timothy C. Nash, Jr., Assistant General Counsel at Federal Reserve Bank of New York 

Chief Magistrate Judge Lois Bloom of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York will deliver this year’s keynote address. Muhammad U. Faridi, President of the New York City Bar Association, and Keun Young Bae, co-chair of the Justice Center’s Pro Bono Leadership Council, will offer remarks and present the awards. 

“The nominees for this year’s Pro Bono Awards exemplify the power of legal advocacy in its most selfless form. Their dedication to serving vulnerable communities without expectation of reward speaks to the heart of our mission. These professionals are not only changing individual pro bono clients’ lives but also working to reshape the justice system to be more accessible and equitable for all. We are honored to celebrate our award nominees’ outstanding contributions and unwavering commitment to the greater good.” said Kurt M. Denk, Executive Director of the City Bar Justice Center. 

Cassandra Celestin, Director of Pro Bono Initiatives at the Justice Center, added, “This year’s Pro Bono Award nominees represent the very best of our legal community, dedicating their time and expertise to ensure that justice is accessible to all. Their tireless efforts and commitment to pro bono work make an immeasurable impact on individuals and families who would otherwise be without critical legal support. We are incredibly proud to honor their achievements and celebrate the profound difference they are making in the lives of so many.”  

To learn more about the City Bar Justice Center, please visit www.citybarjusticecenter.org.  

About the City Bar Justice Center 

The City Bar Justice Center furthers access to justice by addressing unmet civil legal needs of New Yorkers struggling with poverty and other systemic socioeconomic barriers. The Justice Center’s dozen civil justice projects are led by a staff of dedicated attorneys and support professionals who provide high-quality civil legal services through brief advice and information, referrals, and both limited scope and extended representation that benefit more than 25,000 New Yorkers each year who cannot afford to hire counsel. www.citybarjusticecenter.org