CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR HONOREES
Tradition of Excellence Award Recipient
ARLENE SHAW
Managing Director
Brightwood Capital Advisors, LLC
Dedication to Justice Award Recipient
MARGARET ISA BUTLER
Partner
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Tradition of Excellence Award Presenter
HEATHER “THE HEAT” HARDY
World Champion professional boxer and
mixed martial artist
Dedication to Justice Award Presenter
HOSSEIN AZARI
Founder and CEO
cmorq
ABOUT THE ANNUAL GALA
The Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project (VLP) Annual Gala celebrates and honors the work of extraordinary individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving the public good and equal justice.
You may view the Gala Program below or directly on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j3d8KMH-_hs
Click here to view the electronic journal.
CONGRATULATIONS
Champion of Justice Award Recipient
STACEY E. KUSHLEFSKY
Pro Bono Counsel
Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
During the ongoing global health crisis, the VLP’s services are more essential than ever. The COVID-19 pandemic has had the most devastating impact on the most vulnerable Brooklynites—who are black, Latinx, people of color, and mostly women and mothers. With a growing unemployment rate, increase debts, looming foreclosures, ongoing displacement, and a rise in critical life planning needs, the VLP’s direct legal services, and education and outreach programs are crucial to the dismantling of systemic barriers in accessing justice and equality. As the VLP’s premier fundraiser, funds raised for the Gala will enable the VLP to strengthen our pioneering pro bono model and delivery of essential-to-life legal services to thousands of Brooklynites.
THANK YOU TO OUR GALA CO-CHAIRS:
Hossein Azari
Founder and CEO
cmorq
Sara E. Solfanelli
Special Counsel for Pro Bono Initiatives
Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP
Erin C. Ross
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer
Hitchwood Capital Management LP
Lynn Tanner
Partner
Winston & Strawn LLP
THANK YOU TO OUR GALA HOST-COMMITTEE:
Caroline Conway
Deputy General Counsel
Stonepeak Infrastructure Partners
Joseph Gordon
Partner
TSG Reporting, Inc.
James L. Hallowell
Partner
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Lynn E. Judell
Of Counsel
Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP
Mark Lande
Senior Managing Director and Counsel
Island Capital Group LLC
Adam K. Shepherd
Senior Vice President
Macquarie Group
Lisa V. Zivkovic, Ph.D
Associate
Morrison & Foerster LLP
THANK YOU TO OUR GALA SPONSORS:
PLATINUM
GOLD
SILVER
LEADER
Robert and Ricki Conway
PARTNER
BENEFACTOR
Nathan Berkoff
Cohen & Buckmann, P.C.
Law Office of Tara Gray
GreensLedge Capital Markets, LLC
Alexander Kaplan
Nancy Karch and Bruce Martin
Alain V. Massena, Massena Law, P.C.
The Law Office of Gregory Messer
Oppenheim & Zebrak, LLP
Lydia Keaney Reynolds
Law Offices of Michael J. Simon
Linda and James Slattery
Szenberg & Okun PLLC
THANK YOU TO OUR VIP GALA RECEPTION HOST
MARVINA ROBINSON
CEO and Founder
B. Stuyvesant Champagne
TEXT 2 GIVE
Stand with the VLP at the frontlines of response! Text the word JUSTICEBK to 243725. Click on the link in the reply message and complete the fields to confirm your support today!
Please contact Melissa Starr, VLP Senior Director of Development & Strategic Initiatives, mstarr@brooklynvlp.org or 718-473-9209, with any questions.
The VLP is a not-for-profit public charity recognized by the IRS under 501(c)(3). Tax ID: 11-3155182. VLP 2021 Annual Gala sponsorships except for the value of goods and services associated with the VIP cocktail reception are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. VLP 2021 Annual Gala individual tickets, journal ads, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
A copy of the VLP’s most recently filed financial report is also available from the Charities Registry on the New York State Attorney General’s website (www.charitiesnys.com). You also may obtain information on charitable organizations from the New York State Office of the Attorney General at (212) 416-8686.