Honor DeCoursey for Pro Bono

Senate Resolution No. 4864 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award by The Legal Project on 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 Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award by The Legal Project, to be celebrated at its Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 27,

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, Eleanor M. DeCoursey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marist College; she went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree from New York Law School in 1984; and WHEREAS, A founding partner at Gordon Tepper and DeCoursey, LLP., Eleanor M. DeCoursey concentrates her practice on matrimonial and family law; and WHEREAS, Eleanor M. DeCoursey was appointed to the Character and Fitness Admissions Committee for the Fourth Judicial District where she served for many years; additionally, in 2004, she was appointed by the presiding justice of the Appellate Division Third Department to the New York State Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force, where she continues to serve today; and WHEREAS, Eleanor M. DeCoursey is a member of the New York State Bar Association Family Law Section where she has served in various leadership positions; she previously served on the Schenectady County Bar Association Board of Directors as President, Vice President and the Matrimonial Committee; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary woman served as delegate to the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates; she has also served on the Board of Directors of The Legal Project and the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York; and WHEREAS, Eleanor M. DeCoursey gives tirelessly to The Legal Project's Advisory Committee, and is a past recipient of the Stanley A. Rosen Award for litigation on behalf of victims of domestic violence; 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 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 Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as recipient of the Excellence in Pro Bono Service 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 Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq.