News & Recognitions

2005

Paul, Weiss Lawyers Recognized by Sanctuary for Families for Pro Bono Efforts
On November 3 Sanctuary for Families' Associates Committee will honor partners Claudia Hammerman and Robyn Tarnofsky and former associate Adam Heilman at their awards reception for outstanding pro bono lawyers. Claudia, Robyn and Adam will be honored for their pro bono representation of an Israeli woman sued in federal court under the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Our client, a victim of domestic violence, fled Israel with her three young children. Her husband petitioned for the return of the children to Israel under the Hague Convention. After a three-day bench trial, the court denied the petition, concluding that returning the children to Israel would expose the children to grave risk of severe psychological harm.

Sidney Rosdeitcher is Honored for Defending the Santa Fe Living Wage Ordinance
Of counsel Sidney Rosdeitcher's defense of the Santa Fe Living Wage Ordinance is highlighted in the Corporate Board Member's Special Legal Issue 2005 article, "Lives that Legal Angels Saved." The article honors lawyers who have fulfilled the American Bar Association's definition of pro bono service—work that has "enhanced the human dignity of others by improving or delivering volunteer legal services to our nation's poor and disadvantaged." The article notes that Sidney was recruited for the case by the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law because he had done earlier work with the center for a minimum-wage ordinance in Missouri.

Paul, Weiss Noted as a Member of the "Guantánamo Bay Bar Association"
The July 11, 2005 issue of  The Lawyer noted Paul Weiss's efforts as one of the first members of the "Guantánamo Bay Bar Association," a coalition of firm lawyers, law professors, human rights lawyers and activists, who have filed petitions on behalf of some of the 500 detainees at Guantánamo Bay. 12 months ago, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Rasul v. Bush that federal courts had jurisdiction to hear habeas corpus petitions filed by detainees at Guantánamo Bay. Following that case, many petitions were filed on the detainees' behalf. In February, Paul, Weiss initiated two habeas proceedings in the United States District Court, District of Columbia, on behalf of ten Saudi detainees. The cases are currently stayed, pending the outcome of post-Rasul cases in the Court of Appeals.

Paul, Weiss Recognized for Pro Bono Work
Paul, Weiss was noted as one of the 36 New York City law firms meeting, or exceeding, the Volunteers of Legal Service Pro Bono Pledge in 2004 in the May 9, 2005  New York Law Journal "Pro Bono Digest" column. The column discusses the results of the VOLS 2004 survey of New York law firms taking the VOLS Pro Bono Pledge. Paul, Weiss is noted in particular for its work providing legal assistance to pediatric patients at Bellevue Hospital, providing legal assistance on business matters to microentrepreneurs in Harlem and counseling incarcerated mothers on custody and visitation issues.

Roberta Kaplan Named to the National Law Journal's "40 Under 40" Leading Lawyers List
Robbie Kaplan has been named one of the National Law Journal's "40 Under 40" leading lawyers across the country who are expected to continue to exert influence in the legal profession. The profile notes, among other things, Robbie's achievements as lead counsel in a pro bono case challenging New York state's ban on same-sex marriage that is currently on appeal and her victory in U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Northern District of California as lead trial lawyer for the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) in litigation arising from the California energy crisis.

2004

Paul, Weiss Awarded Wien Prize for Social Responsibility from Columbia Law School
On November 22, 2004, Paul, Weiss was awarded the 2004 Lawrence A. Wien Prize for Social Responsibility by Columbia Law School in recognition of the firm's commitment to pro bono activities and community service. The prize has been awarded annually since 1982 to individual lawyers, law firms or corporations who put their resources and legal skills to work for the public good. Associate Julia Tarver accepted the award on behalf of the firm in recognition of her extraordinary efforts representing defendants in death penalty cases.

Paul, Weiss Honored by VOLS
On October 26, 2004, Paul, Weiss was honored by Volunteers of Legal Services (VOLS) at its 20th anniversary event "for the firm's commitment to pro bono work." The award was presented to partner Maria Vullo on behalf of the firm by Chief Judge Kaye. During the event, VOLS board member and partner Ted Maynard, spoke about the firm's work on the Business Resource and Investment Service Center (BRISC) projects coordinated through VOLS. The firm's work with the Incarcerated Mothers Project was also recognized by VOLS.


Paul, Weiss Recognized for Pro Bono Work
Associate Anna-Lisa Corrales was honored in November by the Sanctuary for Families Center for Battered Women's Legal Services Associates Committee at the Committee's Benefit and Awards Reception, for her commitment to fighting domestic violence and pro bono work. Anna-Lisa was selected for her "outstanding legal work on a complex case involving a victim who was sexually abused and trafficked by her batterer." As a result of her dedication and commitment to the client's case, a settlement was reached and the client was ultimately granted custody of her child in New York, with any visitation taking place in New York State under strict supervision.

Paul, Weiss Honored in the American Lawyer's "A List"
In April 2004, The American Lawyer announced its "A List" of 2003, comprised of those law firms "whose economic, pro bono, workplace and diversity performance stand out among their peers." Paul, Weiss ranked third in The American Lawyer's 2003 "A-List" of U.S. law firms, in their first compilation of "The New Elite" firms. In previous surveys, Paul, Weiss was ranked second in 2001, and seventh in 2002.

Allan Arffa, Andrew Gordon and Jay Greenfield Praised for Their Pro Bono Efforts for 9/11 Fund Claimants
Kenneth Feinberg, the head of the Victims Compensation Fund, praised Paul, Weiss and partners Allan Arffa, Andrew Gordon and Jay Greenfield on their pro bono efforts for 9/11 Fund claimants. At a March 8th hearing, Feinberg stated, "I've said it before, and I'll say it again on the record, the enormous contribution of Messrs. Arffa, Greenfield, Gordon and Paul, Weiss, to not only this claim, but many, many other claims. It is very much appreciated by the 9/11 Fund." Feinberg added, "There are always lawyers who claim to be interested in serving the public interest, but these three lawyers and Paul, Weiss have done an extraordinary public service in representing so many claimants, and making my job so much easier, frankly, in their vigorous advocacy and their professionalism on behalf of their claimants and clients, and I thank them ver