Jackson
Lewis L.L.P., which received the Best Diversity-Forward
Firm Award. The national law firm is dedicated
to furthering diversity in Westchester. Last
year, Jackson Lewis began a national legal scholarship
program which promotes diversity in law and donates
$5,000 to law schools near its offices, including
Westchester law schools, Pace and Fordham. Learn
more
Award accepted by Joseph Saccomano
Julie
A. Cvek,
who received the Most Promising New Attorney
Award. The Hofstra University School of Law Graduate
is a third-year associate attorney with Rattet,
Pasternak & Gordon-Oliver L.L.P. Cvek is
a member of many law associations including the
boards of the Westchester County Bar Association
and Westchester Women’s Bar Association. Learn
more
James
J. Veneruso,
who received the Most Socially Conscious Attorney
Award. His Bronxville law firm, Griffen, Coogan & Veneruso
P.C. provides pro bono legal services for a number
of charities including Habitat for Humanity,
where Veneruso serves as general counsel and
as a member of the board of directors for the
past eight years. Learn more
R.
Scott Matarese,
who received the Most Promising Pace Law Student
Award. Ranking second in his graduating class
with a 3.7 GPA, Matarese has illustrated his
law prowess by serving as editor in chief of
the Pace Law Review. Learn more
Baker,
Leshko, Saline & Blosser L.L.P., which received the
Best Work and Life Balance Firm Award. Senior
Partner Mitchell Baker, encourages his attorneys
to create schedules that best fit their family
life. Learn more
Members
of the business and legal sectors nominated candidates
practicing in Westchester County for these prestigious
awards.
"Pace Setter" Award This candidate has exemplified
overall excellence in professional and community
work, prominence in the Westchester legal profession,
fierce determination and success at being the
best at what he/she does and should be recognized
and admired by peers and community. Best Diversity-Forward
Firm This law firm should be exemplar in promoting diversity
in the firm and the legal profession, and in facilitating
change that recognizes the benefi ts of inclusiveness
and the contributions of our diverse legal and
lay communities. Most Socially Conscious Attorney
Candidate is dedicated to one or more causes, is
an active member and leader of such cause(s), offers
Pro Bono work, and should be recognized to his/her
extensive social involvement. Best Work and Life Balance Firm
This law firm should exemplify a positive work
environment and encourage balance between work
and life. It should offer productive benefits and
provide opportunities such as flexible schedules,
parental leave, part-time partnerships, mentoring
and education. Most Promising New Attorney
Candidate should be practicing law for less than
10 years and should be active in the community,
offers pro bono work, has participated in prominent
cases, authored articles in legal journals/newspapers/magazines
and promises to be a leading legal player
in the yearsto come. Most Promising Pace Law Student Candidate should
demonstrate enthusiasm and high achievements
that distinguishes himself/herself from the
rest of the class; has earned high grades,
plays a leading role in extracurricular activities
during law school and is someone who has gone the
extramile to jumpstart his/her legal career.
Anthony J. Enea, member of Enea,
Scanlan & Sirignano
L.L.P. and president of the Westchester County Bar
Association.
Francis A. Nicolai, Supreme Court Justice. He has
served as a judge since 1982.
Jeffrey G. Miller, vice dean for academic affairs at
Pace University School of Law. He has been teaching
at Pace since 1987.
Carol L. Von Scoyoc, chief deputy corporation
counsel for the city of White Plains. She is an adjunct
professor at Pace University’s Graduate School of Public
Administration.
Gerald Stern, special counsel to the New York Judicial
Institute. He also serves as senior faculty to the
Town and Village Justice Education Program at the Office
of Court Administration.
The event was sponsored by Pace University School of
Law, the Westchester County Bar Association, Mahopac
National Bank, Citrin Cooperman & Company L.L.P.
and the Westchester County Business Journal.
The Above the Bar Awards, honoring
excellence in the Westchester legal community, were
held May 1 at the Judicial Institute of Pace Law School
in White Plains. Honored were, from left: R. Scott
Matarese, Most Promising Pace Law Student; James J.
Veneruso, Most Socially Conscious Attorney; Julie Cvek,
Most Promising New Attorney; Joseph Saccomano, accepted
award for Jackson Lewis LLP, Best Diversity Forward
Firm; Margaret Weiner, Jackson Lewis L.L.P.; Gary M.
Karlitz, partner, Citrin Cooperman; Mitchell Baker,
senior partner, Baker, Leshko, Saline & Blosser,
Best Work/Life Balance Firm; and Jon A. Dorf, Pace
Setter Award.
Honorable Francis A. Nicolai, James
J. Veneruso and Janet Difiore, Westchester County district
attorney.
Amy Gerwitz, Stephanie Golden, Lisa
Lancia, Jeffery Miller, vice dean, academic affairs,
Pace Law School; and Gretchen Flint.
R. Scott Matarese, Daniel Marx, Anna
Messar and Jane Silverman.
James J. Veneruso, Gary M. Karlitz,
and William S. Null.
Joseph Saccomano of Jackson Lewis L.L.P.
The Dorf Law Firm L.L.P.: Jonathan
Nelson, Yvonne Dorf, wife of Jon A. Dorf; Maria Paul,
Darren Geliebter, Jon A. Dorf, Colette Macan, Laura
Alcott and Michelle Henderson.
Nichelle Johnson and Joana H. Aggrey.
Erin Noelle Guven, Julie Cvek, awardee,
Most Promising New Attorney; and Honorable Arlene Gordon-Oliver.
Marsha Gordon, president and CEO, Business
Council of Westchester; Jason Dorf, Eli Gordon and
Paul Vitale.
R . Scott Matarese and Charles Hemlich,
Mahopac National Bank.
Dee DelBello, publisher, Westchester
County Business Journal; Mitchell Baker and Gary M.
Karlitz.
