The New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the NYSACDL Foundation on Jan. 19 held their 2023 Annual Dinner and Awards Celebration. Brooklyn Supreme Court Administrative Judge Matthew D'Emic received the Hon. William Brennan Award for Outstanding Jurist and seasoned trial lawyer Bobbi Sternheim was given the Honorable Thurgood S. Marshall Award for Outstanding Criminal Practitioner. Writer, performer and producer James Scruggs of the play "3/Fifths"—which The New York Times called a "provocative and unnerving exploration of American racism"—received the Justice Through The Arts Award. On Jan. 19, the foundation also announced the Benjamin Ostrer, Esq. Scholarship Program For Criminal Defense Internships, installed Yung-Mi Lee of Brooklyn Defenders as the 2023 NYSACDL president, and recognized Brian Melber of Personius Melber for his service as 2022 NYSACDL president. The event was held at the Edison Hotel in midtown Manhattan.

Photos courtesy of NYSACDL