Honor Joseph Williams Award

2019 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 Joseph Williams, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Stanley A. Rosen Memorial Award for Service to Victims of Domestic Violence by The Legal Project, to be celebrated at its Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 26, 2019, 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, This auspicious award is presented to an attorney who has demonstrated an ability to litigate a matter on behalf of a victim of domestic violence, and who shows the utmost professionalism and integrity in their dealings with the Court, litigants and attorneys, which are qualities exemplified by Stanley Rosen during his lifetime; Joseph Williams is one such individual; and WHEREAS, An attorney with the law firm, Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC, Joseph Williams practices primarily in the areas of adoption, family law and assisted reproduction; prior to joining the firm, his private practice focused exclusively upon the representation of individuals in divorce and family law matters; and WHEREAS, In addition, he worked at another boutique family law firm in the Capital District, devoting his time to the representation of clients in a wide array of complex matrimonial and family law matters, with a special emphasis on contested custody and domestic violence cases, as well as matrimonial and family appeals; and WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Joseph Williams has been an active member of The Legal Project's pro bono domestic violence family court panel and reduced fee matrimonial panel; he regularly takes on cases, representing victims of domestic violence in family court and divorce actions pro bono or at a reduced rate; and WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his community, Joseph Williams served as a fellow with the Katheryn D. Katz Fellowship Program at The Legal Project, focusing exclusively on the representation of individuals in divorce and family law matters involving complex issues of domestic and/or intimate partner 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 Joseph Williams, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient of the Stanley A. Rosen Memorial Award for Service to Victims of Domestic Violence by The Legal Project on April 26, 2019; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Joseph Williams, Esq.