Judge Jonathan Lippman Wins Two Prestigious Awards

At its annual meeting, the American Bar Association (ABA) recognized Judge Jonathan Lippman, of counsel in our New York office, with two prestigious awards, honoring his long career on the bench and steadfast dedication to public service.

The John Marshall Award “recognize[s] individuals responsible for extraordinary improvement to the administration of justice in the categories of judicial independence, justice system reform or public awareness about the justice system.” The judge’s career in public service includes serving as judge of the New York Court of Claims, as chief administrative judge of the New York State Courts, as presiding justice of the New York Appellate Division, First Department, and as chief judge of New York. He retired from the bench in December 2015. 
 
Named for the fourth chief justice of the United States Supreme Court, the Marshall Award has been given to Supreme Court Justice Anthony Kennedy, former Supreme Court justice Sandra Day O’Connor, and former governor Tom Ridge of Pennsylvania, among others.
 
The judge was also recognized with the inaugural Judith S. Kaye Award for Judicial Excellence from the ABA’s Commission on Domestic & Sexual Violence. This award “honors an individual judicial officer who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in the development of appropriate courtroom responses to the issues of domestic and sexual violence.”

In addition to the two awards from the ABA, Judge Lippman recently received the inaugural Mary C. McQueen Award for Excellence and Leadership in Justice System Improvement, from a coalition of judicial groups. This award honors the judge’s work as chief judge and chief administrative judge, particularly his initiatives to increase pro bono among practicing attorneys, to help low-income immigrants secure access to justice, and to combat wrongful convictions.
 
“As a longtime advocate for social justice, Judge Lippman inspired us long before he joined our firm earlier this year. He continues to inspire us with his passionate commitment to pro bono and public interest law, and we heartily congratulate him on these awards,” noted Abid R. Qureshi, Washington, D.C. partner and global chair of Pro Bono Committee.
 
Since coming to Latham in January, the judge has remained focused on expanding legal services for the poor and to advocate for criminal justice reform. Among his efforts is the organization of a commission to look into the possibility of closing Rikers Island, New York City’s main jail complex.