Honor Law Firm Leadership

April 27, 2018 WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention to the dedicated efforts of those legal professionals from across the State of New York who volunteer their time and energies in service to the community; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor O'Connell & Aronowitz upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the Barry A. Gold Law Firm Leadership Award by The Legal Project, to be celebrated at its Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 27, 2018, at The Century House, Latham, New York; and WHEREAS, Founded by the Capital District Women's Bar Association in

1995, The Legal Project is a private, not-for-profit organization which provides a variety of free and low cost legal services to the working poor, victims of domestic violence and other underserved individuals in the Capital District of New York State; and WHEREAS, O'Connell and Aronowitz has been a trusted leader in the legal profession and in the community for more than nine decades; they pride themselves on their reputation of providing the personal attention of a neighborhood lawyer with the breadth of services customarily found in a big city firm; and WHEREAS, With 34 attorneys and five office locations, O'Connell and Aronowitz offers innovative, cost-effective representation in legal cases from routine to complex, and earned the distinction of inclusion on the "2018 Top Law Firms" list by Best Lawyers and US News Media Group; and WHEREAS, Since its inception in 1925, O'Connell and Aronowitz has been committed to the Capital District community; and WHEREAS, The attorneys and professional staff at O'Connell and Aronowitz take immense pride in their involvement with local not-for-profit organizations and philanthropic endeavors; fielding teams, volunteering and taking leadership positions for local charities, the firm has exemplified commitment to the community throughout its distinguished history; and WHEREAS, With an unwavering commitment to community service, O'Connell and Aronowitz takes seriously its professional responsibility to render public interest and pro bono legal service to individuals seeking to secure or protect civil rights, civil liberties or public rights, or to not for profit, government or public service organizations and to those less fortunate; and WHEREAS, Pro bono work by skilled professionals is an essential element of all societies; it provides a way in which the human values of community, caring and serving can be sustained and strengthened; and WHEREAS, This vital legal service promotes family and community solidarity; most importantly, attorneys who volunteer their time in civic and charitable endeavors inspire others to the call of volunteerism; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor O'Connell & Aronowitz upon the occasion of its designation as recipient of the Barry A. Gold Law Firm Leadership Award by The Legal Project on April 27, 2018; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to O'Connell & Aronowitz.