The Legal Aid Society held its 2026 Pro Bono Publico Awards Ceremony at The Prince George Ballroom, honoring attorneys, law firms, and pro bono partners for their outstanding contributions to advancing equal justice for New Yorkers.

The annual Pro Bono Publico Awards recognize the critical role of pro bono volunteers and partners in supporting The Legal Aid Society’s staff and the people they serve. This year’s ceremony celebrated 225 individuals and organizations out of the more than 2,100 volunteers whose work has helped address urgent client needs, expand access to justice, and strengthen Legal Aid’s ability to serve New Yorkers over the prior year.

The Honorable Rowan Wilson, Chief Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, delivered remarks at the ceremony.

The 2026 Public Interest Law Leadership Award was presented to Neil Steinkamp of Stout Risius Ross, LLC, for his extraordinary contributions. A pioneer in providing pro bono financial analysis to legal services organizations, Steinkamp has used his financial, economic, strategic, and data-analysis expertise to support underserved communities nationwide. He is a three-time recipient of The Legal Aid Society’s Pro Bono Publico Award. Steinkamp’s colleagues at Stout were also recognized for their excellent service to the people and communities Legal Aid serves.

Claude Millman and Kostelanetz LLP were given the award for Outstanding Pro Bono Assistance to Ensure Access to Justice. Millman and his colleagues generously donated their time and expertise to guide Legal Aid in its negotiations and disputes involving contracting issues, especially those involving the Human Resources Administration, and in its relations with other legal services providers.

The 2026 awards also recognized partners in several additional categories:

Rapidly Responding to Unprecedented Client Needs
Katherine Buckel, Sayoni Maitra, and Elyssa Williams of The Legal Aid Society presented this recognition to over 80 individuals from numerous law firms, corporate legal departments, and community organizations who have consistently dedicated their time and talent to projects and clinics serving emergent needs.

Exceptional Individual Volunteer Assistance
Eric Snyder of Wilk Auslander LLP, was recognized by LT Tierney of the Housing Justice Unit’s – Group Advocacy team for his critical advice and deft advocacy on behalf of the Union of Pinnacle Tenants. In less than three days Eric prepared and masterfully advocated for the tenant’s union in bankruptcy court, securing money and repairs for the over 5,000 apartments impacted by the building portfolio’s sale.

Extraordinary Pro Bono Advocacy for Public School Students
On behalf of Education Law Project Director Susan Horwitz, Judith Goldiner presented Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP with recognition of their incredible work on behalf of students whose disabilities create barriers that prevent them from regularly attending school. As a direct result of this first-of-its-kind litigation, NYC Public Schools adopted regulations requiring every school to have a trained school avoidance liaison to serve as a point person for students like the C.S. Plaintiffs and amended its special education procedure guide to add specific instructions on how to proceed if a student may be experiencing school avoidance.

“The impact of pro bono volunteers on our ability to zealously advocate for the people and communities that need us is indispensable,” said Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Aid Society. “We are incredibly proud to honor this year’s outstanding individuals and firms and deeply appreciative of the impact their work has on the lives of our clients. Their partnership is essential to advancing justice for the communities we serve.”

“Recognizing today’s honorees reminds us, and demonstrates to others, that justice is strengthened when lawyers give generously of their time and talent,” said Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson. “Their work helps to close crucial gaps in access to legal services and supports and strengthens communities across our state. We honor their leadership and their profound public service.”

See the full list of individual honorees here.