Awards & Recognition

2018

Non-Profit Organization of the Year awarded to The Legal Project by the Capital Region Chamber.

2017

Supporter of the Year awarded to The Legal Project by the Capital District New Leaders Council.

2016

Women's Employment and Resource Center awarded Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director, with the 2016 Harriett Rifkin Leadership Award. This award is given to an individual who personifies leadership, volunteerism, and professionalism as a way of life and who demonstrates leadership in every aspect of her life, both professional and personal. 

Capital District Women's Bar Association awarded Jodi Koenig, Legal Services Coordinator, with the 2016 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award, in recognition of her work serving domestic violence clients.  This award honors an outstanding non-attorney member who has achieved professional excellence and distinguished herself by service to the CDWBA and the community.

2015

Albany Law School Pro Bono Society awarded Jodi Koenig, Legal Services Coordinator, with the 2015-2016 Pro Bono Service Award, in recognition for her work above and beyond basic service to support the mission of The Legal Project and of the pro bono society in general. 

Capital District Women's Bar Association awarded The Legal Project the 2015 Carol S. Knox Family Friendly Employer Award.  This award is given to a legal employer in the Capital District that demonstrates a strong commitment to family friendliness by maintaining policies and practices that assist its employees in achieving balance between their work and family commitments.

Equinox Domestic Violence Shelter awarded The Legal Project the 2015 Community Partner Award in recognition of its commitment to partnering with the community to support survivors of domestic violence and their children. 

Schenectady County Bar Association awarded Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director, with the 2015 ABA Liberty Bell Award.  The Liberty Bell Award celebrates community service that strengthens our system of freedom under law.

2013

Albany Law School awarded Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director, with the 2013 Kate Stoneman Special Recognition Award.  The Kate Stoneman Award is given annually to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to actively seeking change and expanding opportunities for women within the legal profession. They have influenced other women to pursue legal careers and have opened doors that historically have been closed to women lawyers. 

Capital District Women's Bar Association awarded Tia Sullivan the 2013 Distinguished Non-Attorney Member Award, in recognition of her achievement of professional excellence and distinguished service to the CDWBA and the community. 

2011

Capital District Women's Bar Association awarded Natalie Birch,BIA Accredited Representative/Immigration Program Coordinator, with the 2011 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award.  This award honors an outstanding non-attorney member who has achieved professional excellence and distinguished herself by service to the CDWBA and the community. 

In Our Own Voices awarded Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director, with the 2011 LGBT Community Legal Advocacy Award.  This award is given to an individual or organization that is committed to creating change in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people of color communities.

2010

The New York State Senate awarded Lisa A. Frisch, Executive Director, with the 2010 Contemporary Women of Distinction award for the 46th District of New York State.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2010 Kimberly A. Troisi-Paton Leadership Award to Lisa A. Frisch in recognition of her commitment to CDWBA and/or the community and her consistent leadership, perseverance, and selfless dedication to the greater good.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2010 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award to Flynn Jebbrecognition of her critical role as Legal Services Coordinator of the Legal Clinic Program, Bankruptcy and Credit Program, and Wills Project working directly with lower income individuals of the Capital Region and facilitating the pro bono efforts of members of the Capital District Women’s Bar Association and other attorneys volunteering for the program in the community.

2009

The New York State Bar Association Committee on Lawyer Referral Service awarded The Legal Project the Angelo T. Cometa Award for extraordinary commitment to advancing the goals of the Lawyer Referral and Information Services by increasing public awareness of the availability of legal services and related assistance.

The Fund for Modern Courts awarded The Legal Project’s non-attorney volunteer panel the Samuel J. Duboff award for outstanding contributions by non-lawyer volunteers for improving the New York State Court System.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2009 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award to Katie Weinberg in recognition of her critical role as Legal Services Coordinator of the Domestic Violence Legal Connection of The Legal Project, working directly with victims of abuse and facilitating the pro bono efforts of members of the Capital District Women’s Bar Association and other attorneys volunteering for the program in the community. The Business Review awarded The Legal Project with the Best Places to Work award.

2008

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded its 2008 Pro Bono Service Award to Barrett D. Mack, Esq. in recognition of his participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs representing victims of domestic violence.

2007

Tech Valley Nonprofit Business Council of the Albany-Colonie Chamber of Commerce awarded The Legal Project the Nonprofit Organization Award which is given to an organization with 1 – 74 employees that effectively collaborates and/or partners with various sectors and/or other nonprofit organizations in the community.

Tech Valley Business and Professional Women conferred the 2007 Woman of the Year award on Executive Director Lisa A. Frisch.  This award is presented to a woman in appreciation of her exceptional leadership and integrity and her distinguished achievements for the betterment of her community.

Schenectady YWCA 2007 Women of Achievement Award was given to Lisa A. Frisch for “honoring exceptional women for their substantial contributions to the community and for the commitment each one has demonstrated to the YWCA’s mission and one imperative—empowering women and eliminating racism.  Awardees are selected for elevating the role of women and empowered women and minorities through the programs they support, and by serving as positive female role models in business and in the greater community.”

2006

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded its 2006 Pro Bono Service Award to Margaret Tabak, Esq. in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs representing victims of domestic violence.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2006 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award to Lisa A. Frisch in recognition of her leadership as Executive Director of The Legal Project, her work with the Capital District Women’s Bar Association and her efforts to promote and support pro bono in the Capital District.

The Women’s Bar of the State of New York awarded its 2006 Hanna S. Cohn Pro Bono Service Award to Camille Siano Enders, Esq. in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs and work to assist communities across New York State to replicate the legal clinic programs started by the Capital District Women’s Bar Association.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2006 Distinguished Member Award to Jo Katz, in recognition of her leadership in promoting pro bono services and issues relating to women and the law, as well as her many pro bono activities in the Capital District, including her work in representing pro bono clients of The Legal Project.

The New York State Bar Association awarded Lisa A. Frisch the inaugural 2006 Denison Ray Director Award, honoring outstanding leadership at a civil legal services, criminal defender or pro bono program by an executive director or legal director who inspires extraordinary commitment by staff and service to the community.

The United States Attorneys Office awarded Lisa A. Frisch the 2006 U.S Department of Justice Victim Service Award, in recognition of her work with crime victims that has had a profound impact on the pursuit of justice for victims in the Northern District of New York.

The Albany County Executive awarded Camille Siano Enders the 2006 County Executive’s Volunteer Award for her tireless efforts in providing pro bono services to clients of  The Legal Project who are seeking help in Family Court in escaping their abusive partners.  

2005

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded its 2005 Pro Bono Service Award to Julie Cabou in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs representing victims of domestic violence.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2005 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award to Jessica Lennon in recognition of her critical role as Legal Services Coordinator of The Domestic Violence Legal Connection of The Legal Project, working directly with victims of abuse and facilitating the pro bono efforts of members of the Capital District Women’s Bar Association and other attorneys volunteering for the program in the community.

New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Third Judicial District was awarded to Ronald Orlando for his pro bono efforts through his work with The Legal Project in developing affordable housing training and first time homebuyer representation and providing extensive pro bono assistance with monthly Legal Clinics and the Small Business Legal Network, offering advice to women, minority and low income small business owners. 

2004

2004 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Fourth Judicial District was awarded to Barbara King for her pro bono efforts for people in need in the Capital District through her work with The Legal Project and her role in promoting her law firm’s development of a pro bono policy.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded its 2004 Pro Bono Service Award to Gayle Hartz in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs representing victims of domestic violence.

2004 Columbia High School Alumni Hall of Fame inducted Michelle Haskin as a member in recognition of her demonstrated achievement in the legal profession as well as her outstanding service to the community, in large part due to extensive pro bono work and Board service to The Legal Project.

2003

2003 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro Bono Service Award for the Third Judicial District was awarded to Anne Reynolds Copps for her pro bono work for people in need in the Capital District.

The 2002-2003 Attorney Professionalism Award was given by the New York State Bar Association to Anne Reynolds Copps in recognition of her outstanding professionalism, which is defined as dedication to service to clients and a commitment to promoting respect for the legal system in pursuit of justice and the public good, characterized by exemplary ethical conduct, competence, good judgment, integrity and civility.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded its 2003 Pro Bono Service Award to Barbara King in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs.

The Capital District Women’s Bar Association awarded the 2003 Distinguished Non-Attorney Award to Wendy Durand in recognition of her leadership as Executive Director of The Legal Project and her work with the Capital District Women’s Bar Association.

The Women in Public Service Award was given to former Legal Project Executive Director Wendy Durand from The Center for Women in Government & Civil Society, University at Albany

2002

Governor’s Justice, Freedom and Courage Award to End Domestic Violence was conferred upon The Legal Project for its Domestic Violence Legal Connection program.

The Legal Project was the recipient of the 2002 Public Service Award from the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations for its innovative programs providing legal assistance to the working poor, victims of domestic violence, and survivors of sexual assault.

The Schenectady Human Rights Commission awarded its Group Achievement Award to The Legal Project for its Schenectady YWCA Legal Clinic.

2002 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro bono Service Award for the Fourth Judicial District was awarded to Christine Galvin for her pro bono work for people in need in the Capital District.

2001

2001 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro bono Service Award for the Fourth Judicial District was awarded to Glen W. Brownell for his active participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs.  Mr. Brownell serves as a volunteer member and mentor for the Domestic Violence Legal Connection pro bono panel. 

The Capital Region Bankruptcy Bar Association awarded its Distinguished Member Award to Paula Barbaruolo in recognition of her inspiration and efforts in implementing the Bankruptcy and Credit program in partnership with The Legal Project.

Cited by Governor George Pataki as a Model Program in 2001 Quality Communities Interagency Task Force Report:  Partnering for a Better New York. The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York awarded its 2001 Pro Bono Service Award to Meredith Savitt in recognition of her role in founding The Legal Project as well as her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs.

2000

The Council of Community Services named The Legal Project as the Capital Region’s Human Services Program of the Year (2000). This Community Builders Award recognizes one program annually that “addresses unmet needs”, involves successful collaborations with human services agencies and “has made substantial contributions toward making our region a better place to live.”

2000 New York State Bar Association President’s Pro bono Service Award for the Third Judicial District was awarded to Jo M. Katz for her active participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs.  Ms. Katz serves as a volunteer member, mentor and trainer for the Domestic Violence Legal Connection pro bono panel.

2000 Woman of Achievement Award was presented to Wendy Durand, The Legal Project’s Executive Director, by the YWCA of Schenectady.  The award is given to recognize unusual achievement and distinction in a woman’s career that has had a positive impact on her local community, helped women, and contributed toward the elimination of discrimination.  Ms. Durand’s work in the development and expansion of The Legal Project’s programs, serving victims of domestic violence and other underserved people, was a primary factor in her selection. The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York awarded the 2000 Outstanding New Lawyer Award to Camille Siano Enders in recognition of her participation in The Legal Project’s pro bono programs and her work with the Capital District Women’s Bar Association.

1999 

1999 Root-Stimson Award was conferred upon Camille Siano Enders by the New York State Bar Association for her role at The Legal Project coordinating legal clinics, offering pro bono domestic violence representation and ongoing pro bono legal consultation to those in need. JC Penney gave its 1999 Golden Rule Award to Camille Siano Enders for her pro bono work with The Legal Project.  Ms. Siano Enders was further recognized by being named one of ten national finalists. The Legal Project was the recipient of the 1998 Public Service Award from the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations for its Domestic Violence Legal Connection program.  Innovative pro bono projects that utilize the knowledge of the legal system to benefit women and children are eligible for this award.

1998

The National Organization for Women recognized the work of The Legal Project with its 1998 Making Waves Awards.

The New York State Bar Association gave its 1998 Public Service Award to Meredith Savitt, Esq., one of the founders of The Legal Project for her work in developing the Project.