PRESS RELEASE

City Bar Justice Center Launches Jeremy G. Epstein Awards for Pro Bono Service

Ten Volunteer Lawyers to be Honored Monday at the New York City Bar

The City Bar Justice Center, the pro bono affiliate of the New York City Bar, has announced the winners of the first annual Jeremy G. Epstein Awards for Pro Bono Service. Honoring volunteer lawyers for outstanding work on Justice Center projects, the awards will be presented at a Pro Bono Luncheon and Celebration of Service as part of the National Pro Bono Celebration.

This year’s winners are:

William Bagliebter – Duane Morris LLP

Alena Brenner – Hunton & Williams LLP

Casey Laffey – Reed Smith LLP

Christopher J. Moore – Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Edward Martin Reisner

Sehar Siddiqi – Seward & Kissel LLP

Scott Smedley – Dechert LLP

Jason M. Sobel – Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP

Jesenia De La Torre – Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

Netanella Zahavi – Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP

Eve Burton, Vice President and General Counsel of The Hearst Corporation, will deliver a keynote address and New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman, City Bar President Patricia Hynes and City Bar Fund Chair Austin T. Fragomen, Jr. will also speak.

“At this time of recession in our city, pro bono is an essential part of addressing the lack of access to justice for low income New Yorkers,” said Lynn Kelly, Executive Director of the City Bar Justice Center. “We are so proud of the many talented attorneys who have given their time to help needy clients through the projects at the City Bar Justice Center.”

What: Jeremy G. Epstein Awards for Pro Bono Service

Who:

2009 Honorees (see above)

Hearst Corporation Vice President and General Counsel Eve Burton

New York State Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman

New York City Bar President Patricia M. Hynes

City Bar Fund Board Chair Austin T. Fragomen, Jr.

City Bar Justice Center Executive Director Lynn Kelly

When: Monday, October 26, 2009, Noon

Where: New York City Bar Association, 42 West 44th Street

The Luncheon is co-sponsored by the City Bar Committee on Pro Bono and Legal Services—Stacey Fahey, Chair, and the City Bar Justice Center—Lynn M. Kelly, Executive Director.

Invitation only. Media welcome.

Jeremy G. Epstein

Jeremy G. Epstein, who passed away in July 2009, was a partner at Shearman & Sterling LLP and a board member at the City Bar Justice Center, The Legal Aid Society and the Fund for Modern Courts. He logged over 5,000 hours of pro bono and public service over the last 20 years.