The state court system's Office for Justice Initiatives, along with the New York State Bar Association and the New York County Lawyers' Association, hosted an awards ceremony and reception honoring attorneys for their volunteer efforts on behalf of New Yorkers in need on Oct. 26 at NYCLA. Special recognition was given to innovative pro bono programs in the Eighth (Buffalo and surrounding counties) and Ninth (Westchester and surrounding counties) Judicial Districts.

Pictured above are attorneys from Pepper Hamilton, Regeneron Corporate Law Department and the law office of Peter Spino who volunteered in 9th JD's Foreclosure Volunteer Lawyer for the Day Program, joined by Judge Edwina Mendelson, third from left, deputy chief administrative judge for justice initiatives and one of the speakers at the event, and Westchester County Supreme Court Justice Sam Walker, second from left, chair of the 9th JD Pro Bono Action Committee.