Last week, the Proskauer community gathered for the 17th Annual Golden Gavel Awards ceremony to celebrate and honor those lawyers and staff members who went far above and beyond to contribute to the Firm’s pro bono, corporate social responsibility and Diversity, Equity & Inclusion efforts in 2024. Congratulations and thanks to the following colleagues for their extraordinary commitment to public service.

PRO BONO

Meridian Heights Class Action Housing Litigation

In 2022, Proskauer and the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs filed a federal class action lawsuit challenging the housing conditions at the Meridian Heights housing property in Washington, D.C. As detailed in the complaint, the property owner and managers have repeatedly and systematically refused to make necessary repairs to the apartments and common spaces of the property, despite repeated requests from tenants. The Court preliminarily approved a settlement late last year, with a final approval hearing set for March.

• Jordan Caloras – New York, Paralegal, Litigation
• Massimo Capizzi – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Robert Ennis – New York, Paralegal, Corporate
• Ross Evans – New York, Associate, Labor
• Anna Fisher – New York, Project Assistant, Corporate
• Jonathan Gartner – New York, Associate, Labor
• Amy Gordon – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Emma Keane – Boston, Paralegal, Litigation
• Shannon McGowan – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
• Erik Milch – Washington, DC, Partner, Litigation
• Angely Morel Espinal – New York, Project Assistant, Labor
• Corey Rogoff – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation

Legal Assistance for Child Welfare Agency

Proskauer is proud to represent the Home for Little Wanderers, the oldest child welfare agency in the United States. The Home offers over 25 critical programs, including behavioral and mental health services, therapeutic residential care, family support, foster care and adoption, special education and programs for older youth transitioning out of the system, serving more than 15,000 children and family members annually.

• Thomas Butler – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Charles Dale – Boston, Partner, Corporate
• Ron Franklin – New York, Partner, Corporate
• Seo Kyung (Rosa) Kim – New York, Law Clerk, Tax
• Maggie Livingstone – Los Angeles, Associate, Tax
• Adam Nowicki – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Julia Vitter – New York, Associate, Corporate

Supreme Court Victory

This past May, a Proskauer team succeeded in obtaining a 9-0 victory at the Supreme Court on behalf of Stuart Harrow, a former Department of Defense employee. Mr. Harrow had unsuccessfully appealed to the Merits Systems Protection Board after a furlough in 2013, arguing that he was entitled to back pay.  He then appealed to the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, but the Court dismissed his appeal as untimely, finding the statutory filing deadline to be jurisdictional and not able to be extended. The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that the deadline imposed on Mr. Harrow was not jurisdictional because Congress had not spoken with a clear statement to overcome the presumption that time bars are non-jurisdictional and open to equitable tolling. The Court vacated the judgment and remanded the case back to the Federal Circuit.

• Isaiah Anderson – Chicago, Associate, Litigation
• Henrique Carneiro – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Mark Harris – New York, Partner, Litigation
• John Roberts – Boston, Partner, Litigation
• Eleanor Schroeder – New York, Paralegal, Litigation

Twinning Project

The Twinning Project, an organization founded in the United Kingdom, pairs sports teams with correctional facilities, using sport to teach important life lessons and, in the process, help secure successful reentry for participants. With Proskauer’s help, the organization now has a presence in the United States and is in the process of partnering with professional soccer and basketball teams.

• Peter Cramer – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Daniel Desatnik – New York, Partner, Corporate
• Emma Lapin – Los Angeles, Associate, Corporate
• Christine Lazatin – New York, Partner, Corporate
• David Miller – New York, Partner, Tax
• Howie Miller – New York, Paralegal, Tax
• John Sedarous – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Alexander Smith – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Sarah Walsh – New York, Associate, Corporate

Delaware Voting Rights Litigation

Proskauer, along with the ACLU Voting Rights Project, the ACLU of Delaware and Shaw Keller LLP, filed a federal lawsuit in Delaware to ensure the availability of voting in jails and prisons. Under the Delaware Constitution, incarcerated individuals retain their voting rights unless they have been convicted of a felony and have not had their rights restored. Eligible voters include individuals detained before trial, as well as those imprisoned following a misdemeanor conviction. Prior to the lawsuit, Delaware had repeatedly refused to allow in-person voting machines or present any other in-person voting option within state prisons to ensure that these voters can constitutionally exercise their rights.

• Godfre Blackman – New York, Associate, Labor
• Aaron Francis – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation
• Stephen Hibbard – Los Angeles, Partner, Litigation
• Michael Lebowich – New York, Partner, Labor
• Angelo Monforte – Boca Raton, Senior Paralegal, Litigation
• Dixie Morrison – Los Angeles, Associate, Labor
• Roberta Preyer – New York, Labor Paralegal Specialist, Labor
• Seth Victor – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation

Achieving Asylum Victory on Behalf of Transgender Client

In December, after over four years of work, a Proskauer team obtained a grant of asylum for our client, an HIV-positive, transgender woman from Jamaica. The client fears returning to Jamaica because she experienced horrific violence and persecution.

• Peter Angelica – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Timothy Burroughs – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Kelly Landers Hawthorne – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
• David Munkittrick – New York, Partner, Litigation
• Susanna Nagorny – New York, Paralegal, Litigation
• Portia Proctor – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Emily Wakeman – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Madison Wilson – New York, Paralegal, Labor

Securing Military Discharge Upgrade

Since 2018, Proskauer has acted as pro bono legal counsel for a veteran who experienced racial discrimination during his service in the U.S. Marine Corps. The client was stationed at Camp Pendleton in the mid-1970s. At that time, members of the Ku Klux Klan (“KKK”) served openly and actively at Camp Pendleton. The client faced a pattern of severe harassment, beatings and threats of sexual harm and death by his immediate superior and others on his base, many of whom were active members of the KKK. In fear for his life and safety, he eventually went absent without leave, causing him to be unfavorably discharged from service. After years of work, a Proskauer team successfully obtained a discharge status upgrade for the client this past June.

• Colin Cabral – Boston, Partner, Litigation
• Colleen Hart – Los Angeles, Partner, Tax
• Alyson Tocicki – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation

London

Helping Children Access Immigration Status in the UK

Proskauer attorneys took on several matters representing children through Kids in Need of Defense (“KIND”) UK, which provides free legal help to young people and families navigating the UK immigration system. An estimated 215,000 undocumented children are living in the UK today, so the need for pro bono legal services is immense.

• Robert Gaut – London, Partner, Tax
• Emily Carling – London, Associate, Corporate
• Charlotte Ahamed – London, Associate, Tax

Supporting Nonprofits

Through LawWorks and TrustLaw, two charities working in England and Wales to connect volunteer lawyers with people in need of legal advice, Proskauer teams have provided critical support to several nonprofits doing incredibly impactful work. Proskauer attorneys have worked on a variety of matters, including corporate governance, contract review and numerous real estate and lease questions. Proskauer lawyers have also assisted charities directly with various commercial contract matters.

• Vikki McKay – London, Partner, Corporate
• Benjamin Peacock – London, Associate, Corporate
• Rachel Lowe – London, Special Counsel, Corporate
• Katie Bunce – London, Associate, Corporate

Benefits Appeal Victory

A Proskauer team achieved a great result in a pro bono personal independence payment (“PIP”) appeal case. PIP is a benefit awarded by the Department for Work & Pensions to people who have a disability that impacts their mobility or ability to carry out certain daily tasks. Working with our charity partner, University House Legal Advice Centre, we assisted our client who suffers from a host of illnesses and disabilities in bringing an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal and secured a new PIP award at the highest available rate.

• Paul Tannenbaum – London, Partner, Corporate
• Antonia George – London, Associate, Corporate
• Shameelah Khan – London, Associate, Corporate

Pro Bono Special Recognition

The following honorees deserve special recognition and thanks for their incredible contributions to the pro bono program. Their tireless work has increased the scope and impact of Proskauer’s pro bono work, benefitting countless clients and causes.

• Farhaan Anjum – Boca Raton, Associate, Private Client Services
• Cassandra Brewster – New York, Project Assistant, Corporate
• Aaliyah Brown – New York, Paralegal, Corporate
• Rachael Gensheimer – New York, Paralegal, Corporate
• Aliyah Kilpatrick – New York, Paralegal, Litigation
• Shaina Maldonado – National, Associate, Corporate
• Kelly McMullon – London, Special International Labor, Employment & Data Protection Counsel, Labor
• Michael Menconi – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Jonian Rafti – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Elizabeth Shrieves – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
• Gabren Webb – New York, Associate, Real Estate

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Education

Proskauer’s education initiatives provide students with enrichment skills and concepts designed to meet their needs for college, careers and beyond. Education is critical to positive outcomes in a wide range of areas, including economic security, health and housing. We design and teach enrichment workshops for high achieving students from low-income communities and inspire future lawyers through our social justice classes. We also coach at-risk youth in our London office.

• Isaiah Anderson – Chicago, Associate, Litigation
• Godfre Blackman – New York, Associate, Labor
• Casey Brandenberger – Los Angeles, Associate Director of Legal Recruiting and Professional Development, Professional Resources
• Jamison Chung – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Kiki Cokorinos – New York, Training and Development Specialist, Office of the COO
• Sabrina Franconeri – New York, Director of Training and Development, Office of the COO
• Shawn Ledingham, Jr. – Los Angeles, Partner, Litigation
• Jason Madden – New York, Partner, Corporate
• Katelyn Myers – New York, Senior Manager of Human Resources Administration, Office of the COO
• Libbie Osaben – Chicago, Associate, Corporate
• Vildana Perdja – New York, Senior Paralegal, Real Estate
• Stephen Pevsner – London, Partner, Tax
• Ann Marie Prado – New York, Senior Paralegal, Real Estate
• Portia Proctor – New York, Associate, Litigation
• John Sedarous – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Nicole Swanson – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Jacob Weinberg – Los Angeles, Associate, Corporate
• Eric Zilber – New York, Associate, Corporate

Moot Court

Proskauer has participated in the Mentor Moot Court Program for over 35 years. The program is a partnership between Fordham University School of Law and The Justice Resource Center. We host students from Francis Lewis High School in our New York office during the fall and spring semesters. The students are provided a problem and meet with a group of associates throughout the semester who teach them about the law as it relates to the problem and coach the students on public speaking, professionalism, critical thinking, listening and a range of soft skills. Our volunteers work beyond the program and serve as mentors for the students as they navigate college and careers.

• Peter Angelica – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Michael Beckwith – New York, Associate, Litigation

Economic Empowerment for Women

Since 2015, Proskauer has supported economic empowerment for women through our corporate social responsibility programs with many of our not-for-profit partners. As part of these initiatives, we work with women on employment readiness, job skills training and other marketable skills on their path to economic independence and mobility.

• Monica Arora – New York, Partner, Corporate
• Rita Halabi – New York, Associate, Tax
• Anne Halpern – New York, Senior Finance Project Manager, Information Services
• Katelyn Myers – New York, Senior Manager of Human Resources Administration, Office of the COO
• Amanda Nussbaum – New York, Partner, Tax

Community and Corporate Citizenship

We recognize our colleagues who collectively ensure our corporate social responsibility programs are administered and led across the country. They serve as liaisons for their offices and help reinforce our goals of economic opportunity, educational enrichment and upward mobility for students and vulnerable members of our communities.

• Kathryn Benson – New Orleans, Office Manager, Operations
• Leslie Bobb – Chicago, Office Manager, Operations
• Carrie Geldert – Boca Raton, Office Manager, Operations
• Lindsey Tertan – Boston, Office Administrator, Operations
• Aurel Van Iderstine – Los Angeles, Office Administrator, Operations
• Sheila Williams – Los Angeles, Secretarial and Administrative Services Specialist, Operations

Corporate Social Responsibility Leadership

Our corporate social responsibility initiatives take place across the country and in London. Our service continues to grow because of the extensive commitment of our volunteers. We recognize the leaders who ensure our impactful work supports high-achieving students from low-income communities, as well as vulnerable individuals and families in the communities where we live and work.

• Monica Arora– New York, Partner, Corporate
• Michael Callahan– New York, Partner, Corporate
• Ron Franklin– New York, Partner, Corporate
• Alexander Griffith– London, Partner, Corporate
• Colleen Hart– Los Angeles, Partner, Tax
• Jinyoung Joo– New York, Partner, Corporate
• Dorothy Murray– London, Partner, Litigation
• Amanda Nussbaum– New York, Partner, Tax
• Natasha Wilson – London, Legal Executive Assistant, Operations

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Talent Development and Community Building

Awarded to individuals who have demonstrated excellence through their efforts to increase diversity, inclusion and equitable opportunities within the Firm. These recipients’ actions have directly impacted the Firm’s ability to attract, develop, motivate and retain diverse talent. The honorees below have invested significant time, energy and resources into creating inclusive, affirming spaces for diverse lawyers and staff members, advocating for their needs and challenging the Firm to continuously prioritize diversity, equity and inclusion in meaningful ways.

• Alicia Abboud – Los Angeles, Associate, Corporate
• Stephen Boyko – Boston, Partner, Corporate
• Robert Chiu – New York, Associate, Corporate
• David Duncan – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Jorge Gonzalez – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Jinyoung Joo – New York, Partner, Corporate
• Katrine Magas – Los Angeles, Senior Counsel, Tax
• Sulaiman Malik – London, Associate, Corporate
• Carolyn Sarif-Killea – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Hannah Silverman – New York, Associate, Litigation
• Serena Warner – New York, Associate, Corporate

Advancing Change

Awarded to individuals who have been engaged in significant ways in the advancement of diversity, equity and inclusion and through their actions have raised awareness of diversity, equity, accessibility and inclusion issues in the Firm.

• Melany Cruz Burgos – New York, Associate Director of Training and Development, Professional Resources
• Joseph Drayton – New York, Partner, Litigation

FirstGen Pilot Working Group:

• Alondra Munoz – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Lucas Kowalczyk – Chicago, Associate, Litigation
• Olympia Karageorgiou – New York, Associate, Labor
• Vinny Indelicato – New York, Partner, Corporate
• Imaan Gangi – London, Associate, Corporate
• Matthew Geduldig – Boston, Partner, Corporate

Proskauer Women’s Alliance (PWA) Co-Chairs:

• Jordan Horowitz – New York, Associate, Corporate
• Charlotte Boylin – London, Associate, Corporate
• Yomarie Habenicht – Washington, DC, Associate, Tax
• Lucie Rose – London, Partner, Corporate
• Robert Shmalo – New York, Partner, Real Estate

Excellence in Partnership

We also presented a Golden Gavel to one of our valued clients, Ares Management Corporation, for “Excellence in Partnership.” This award recognized their efforts working alongside Proskauer to drive positive change through innovative and impactful programming. 

• Indhira Arrington, Global Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Ares Management Corporation