Volunteer Recognition

The exemplary work and outstanding accomplishments of our volunteer attorneys deserve recognition from clients, peers, employers, and the general public. Read some exciting Volunteer Accomplishments throughout the year and join us in recognizing our annual Cornerstone honorees.

Cornerstone Awards

Since 1997, Lawyers Alliance has presented Cornerstone Awards annually to a select group of individuals and institutions that have made extraordinary contributions through pro bono legal services. These services help nonprofits to address critical human needs and improve the quality of life for thousands of low-income New Yorkers.

The 2023 Cornerstone Awards were held on November 2 at Paramount Global.

Read the press release or about each honoree below. 

Cornerstone Awards 2022

Lawyers Alliance 2023 Cornerstone Award Winners

(Front row, left to right:) Yen-Yi Anderson, Anderson and Associates Law, P.C.; Anita L. Pelletier, Nixon Peabody LLP; Preetha Chakrabarti, who accepted on behalf of Institutional Honoree Crowell & Moring LLP; Erin McConnell, who accepted on behalf of Institutional Honoree American Express General Counsel’s Organization; and Jennifer Yamin, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati

(Second row, left to right:) Saren Goldner, Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP; Elias Gurewitsch, Linklaters LLP; Alvin Benjamin Carter III, Brown Rudnick LLP; Jennifer Cowan, who accepted on behalf of Institutional Honoree Debevoise & Plimpton LLP; and Daniel Chor, Latham & Watkins LLP

(Top row, left to right:) Jay B. Straus, Bloomberg L.P.; Jerome L. Levine, Loeb & Loeb LLP; Daniel S. Shamah, O’Melveny & Myers LLP; Andrew Dalin, Dentons US LLP; and John Racanelli, Farrell Fritz, P.C.

Not pictured: Yael R. Tzipori, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Photographer: Daphne Youree

 

The complete list of Lawyers Alliance's Cornerstone winners from 1997 to 2022 includes 270 of Lawyers Alliance's more than 10,000 individual volunteers during this period.

Previous Institutional Cornerstone Award winners include:

2022:

Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Milbank LLP

2021:

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
Sidley Austin LLP

2020:

Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Morrison & Foerster LLP

 

 

Additional Honors

Volunteer Accomplishments: Lawyers Alliance regularly identifies outstanding volunteers who reach a milestone in their pro bono project and issues a "Volunteer Accomplishment" announcement recognizing this work. These callouts are available in the Resources section.

Bar Association Awards: Many of Lawyers Alliance's volunteer institutions have received accolades from state and national bar leaders for their business law pro bono work. We are honored to have nominated a strong list of winners of American Bar Association and New York State Bar Association pro bono awards.