The Legal Aid Society held its 147th Annual Meeting on Wednesday, where staff were recognized for their service and dedication to the organization and its clients. The event was held at Fordham University School of Law, and this year, Legal Aid was pleased to welcome the honorable Joseph A. Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge, New York State Unified Court System, as the event’s keynote speaker.

Judge Zayas has a long history with Legal Aid, starting as an intern with the organization while in law school. He would join the Criminal Appeals Bureau after graduation and expressed his gratitude for that formative experience in his remarks to staff.

He thanked those present for their long and distinguished history of protecting the rights of New Yorkers and for advocating for changes in the law that make our City a fairer, more compassionate, more just place to live.

“I very easily could have been a client of the Legal Aid Society,” Zayas said, reflecting on his humble upbringing in New York City. “Ably represented by one of your extraordinary attorneys in the Civil Division, the Juvenile Rights Division, or the Criminal Defense Practice. But instead of being a Legal Aid Society client, I eventually became a Legal Aid Society lawyer.”

The Orison S. Marden Awards were created in 1976 during Legal Aid’s centennial year to recognize the excellence of the staff and to honor the memory of Mr. Marden, a partner at White & Case who served as a Director and Chairman for many years.

The Core Staff Marden Award was presented to Maria Kaidas, Social Worker II, Juvenile Rights Practice.  The Staff Attorney Marden Award was presented to Demetra D. Fraizer, Staff Attorney, Juvenile Rights Practice. The Manager Marden Award was presented to Judith Goldiner, Attorney-in-Charge, Civil Law Reform Unit.

Zachary Carter, Chair of the Board of Directors, Maria Kaidas, Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief/CEO

Zachary Carter, Demetra D. Fraizer, Twyla Carter

Zachary Carter, Judith Goldiner, Twyla Carter

The Sandra Scott Memorial Award honors the memory of our beloved Chief Financial Officer who lost her battle with cancer in 2016. Lisa Farray, HR Generalist – Health and Benefits Specialist, was presented with this year’s award.

Zachary Carter, Lisa Farray, Twyla Carter

Members of the staff who are celebrating their 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, and 45th anniversaries with The Legal Aid Society were also honored.

45 Years of Service  

Ana Cecilio 

40 Years of Service  

Lillian Berrios, Katherine A Burton, Paulette A Rubinsky 

35 Years of Service  

Timothy J Bennett, Adrienne Chambers-Branch, Robert J Budner, Roulston Bumbury, Joann Colon-Cimino, Joyce Couvares, Richard J Di Marco, Lucretia Deloris Dobson, Jacqueline M Ford, Laurence Gurwitch, Coleen C Hall, David M Kapner, Lisa C Koinig, Estajo Koslow, Felicia G Leak, Sabieta Lekhraj, Michele Lombardo, Mildred Martinez, Katheryne M Martone, Jennifer Michaelson, Renee F Mittler, Mara Moradoff, Vincent T Phillips, Jane E Remler, Cassandra M Richardson, Rosemary Hare-Bey, Jacqueline Samuels-Jaffee, Kristina Schwarz, Marcia Seckler, Susan Sevin, Carolyn J Silvers, Jill L Wade, Deborah M Williams, Genitha Wint 

 30 Years of Service  

Marlen S Bodden, Anne K Callagy, Javier Chuck, Craig E Fielding, Joshua E Goldfein, Richard J Jack, Lorraine C Mc Evilley, Tatyana Mints, Edwin Montano, Raynita Thornton, Rosalyn E Warren, Hilary S Weiss 

25 Years of Service  

Ronald Alfano, Lynda Augente, Garrett L Austin, Chennette X Barreto, Jeffrey A. Berman, David E Boone, Toe-Fun Chia, Erica G Cioffero, Dana Joyce Cohen, Victor G Cruz, Nelson I De Jesus, Seth D Gross, Adam Hassuk, Jennifer Y Lewis, Susan L Litt, Colette M Mc Crae, Cynthia Molina-Santos, Theresa B Moser, Anna Sim, Jeffrey S Sugarman, Louis Varela, Albert (Al) Wall, Senora A Watkins, Karen M Yazmajian