Hodgson Russ LLP Honored with 2023 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award

Hodgson Russ LLP is pleased to announce the firm has received the 2023 New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) President’s Pro Bono Service Award in the Mid-Size Law Firm category. The award is in recognition of the over 1,100 hours of work performed by 37 Hodgson Russ attorneys, three paralegals, and other firm professionals to investigate, prepare, and advocate for 37 Afghan asylum applicants as well as their spouses and children. This is the second time Hodgson Russ has been honored with this award with the first happening in 2015.

Hodgson Russ partners Joshua Feinstein and Kevin M. Kearney lead the firm’s pro bono efforts, which have received both local and national recognition. In addition to twice receiving the NYSBA President’s Pro Bono Service Award, the Erie County Bar Association has also praised the firm’s outstanding pro bono efforts and Washington, D.C.-based Legal Services Corporation presented awards to Hodgson Russ and Kevin Kearney for their commitment to providing pro bono legal services in New York State. The U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York also recently presented its Special Service Award to the firm and partner Hugh M. Russ III.

“The firm is honored to have been able to assist these individuals and families,” said Hodgson Russ Managing Partner Benjamin M. Zuffranieri Jr. “All of the Hodgson professionals involved learned a great deal and were reminded that service is an integral part of being a lawyer.”

Each year, the NYSBA proudly bestows the President’s Pro Bono Service Awards to recognize outstanding pro bono contributions made by individual attorneys, law students, law firms, corporate counsel, and government offices to convey a message to the profession and the public about the importance of pro bono efforts in achieving equal access to justice. Recipients in the Law Firm category are selected based on the breadth and scope of the law firm’s pro bono involvement and its active and successful promotion of pro bono service by firm attorneys.

A formal ceremony is scheduled for May 1 at the NYSBA Headquarters in Albany, New York.

A full service law firm with more than 200 attorneys, Hodgson Russ LLP helps clients maximize opportunities and minimize legal obstacles. Our attorneys utilize multidisciplinary work teams to meet clients’ specific, often complex needs. Clients include public and privately held businesses, governmental entities, nonprofit institutions, and individuals. Hodgson Russ has offices in Albany, Buffalo, Greensboro, Hackensack, New York, Palm Beach, Rochester, Saratoga Springs, and Toronto. To learn more, visit www.hodgsonruss.com.