May 15, 2009

MAKING THE CASE
FOR HUMANITY

The Legal Aid Society is an indispensable component of the legal, social and economic fabric of New York City - passionately advocating for individuals across a variety of civil, criminal and juvenile rights matters, while also pursuing a broad legal reform agenda.

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Legal Aid in the News

Theodore Levine and Kenneth Cole Honored
at 38th Annual Servant of Justice Award Dinner

Theodore A. Levine, President of The Legal Aid Society and Of Counsel at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, and Kenneth Cole, Chairman of the Board and Chief Creative Officer of Kenneth Cole Productions, Inc., and Chairman of amfAR, Foundation for AIDS Research, were honored last night by The Legal Aid Society during the 32nd annual Servant of Justice Award Dinner at the Waldorf-Astoria.

Alan Levine, Chairman of the Board, presided over the evening's festivities. Martin Lipton of Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, served as chairman of the dinner. Ted Levine received the Servant of Justice Award, which was presented by Patricia M. Hynes, President of The New York City Bar Association and a former Chairperson of the Society. Harry Belafonte was on hand to present the award to Kenneth Cole. Funds raised through this event support the Society's Civil Practice that provides free legal services to the most vulnerable New Yorkers including senior citizens, chronically ill or disabled children and adults, survivors of domestic violence, immigrants, low-wage or unemployed workers, persons living with HIV/AIDS, and homeless or imminently homeless children and adults.

The Legal Aid Society Elects New President;
Ted Levine Returns to Private Practice

The Legal Aid Society Elects New President; Ted Levine Returns to Private Practice Alan Levine, Chairman of The Legal Aid Society, announced the election of Blaine (Fin) V. Fogg, who recently became Of Counsel at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP after an illustrious career as a corporate partner, as the 28th President of The Legal Aid Society. Mr. Fogg will assume the presidency on July 1, 2009, splitting his time between Skadden and The Legal Aid Society and will serve without compensation. He succeeds Theodore A. Levine, Of Counsel at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz, who will return to full time practice after serving as Legal Aid's President for three years . . . Read more.

The Legal Aid Society Gets A New Look

Last Spring with a one-time gift,we engaged the marketing/re-branding firm of Siegel + Gale to help us refine our message about the essential client services that we provide and the unique role The Legal Aid Society plays in the social fabric of New York City. Alan Siegel, CEO and Chairman of Siegel + Gale, took a special interest in this project and offered the services of his firm at a deeply discounted rate and provided his services pro bono.

As you know staff received a preview of the new brand at office meetings during the last few weeks. Those who attended our annual Servant of Justice Award Dinner last night saw the tremendous results of this important initiative with the new brand displayed on screens and 6-foot tall panels (shown above). The assistance of members of the staff, Board of Directors, judges and City officials have been invaluable to this project and we are grateful.

The message is clear and crisp: The Legal Aid Society is more than a law firm for low income New Yorkers. It is an indispensable component of the legal, social, and economic fabric of New York—passionately advocating for individuals across a variety of civil, criminal, and juvenile rights matters, while also fighting for legal reform. No other organization in New York City or in the country takes on more cases for more clients than The Legal Aid Society and brings a depth and breadth of perspective from its experienced, capable staff that is unmatched in the legal profession. Add to this a venerable history of over 130 years of service to New York City and you have THE LEGAL AID SOCIETY.

We thank Alan Siegel and his great team, led by Jenifer Brooks and Douglas Sellers.