The awards celebration honors the Justice for All Campaign, an annual commitment by local law firms to help strengthen LASNNY’s ability to provide legal support to low-income individuals and families. This continual support is essential for LASNNY to provide its clients with day-to-day legal assistance with urgent civil, non-criminal legal problems.
“Working with these exceptional individuals and organizations is truly an honor,” said Nic Rangel, Esq, executive director of LASNNY. “These awardees dedicate themselves to impacting the lives of those who need them most — efforts that lift up individuals, families, and entire communities.”
The William E. (Bill) Byron Equal Justice Award, which was awarded posthumously last year to Dr. Alice Green, founder of Center for Law and Justice, will be presented to Michelle Sandoz-Dennis, CEO of CARES of NY and member of the Regional Racial Justice Advisory Committee (RRJAC). This award honoring LASNNY’s only non-attorney Board President, recognizes an individual champion of civil legal services who has staunchly defended the civil legal rights of individuals in New York State and to ensure equal access to justice for low-income and vulnerable persons. A passionate advocate for systemic change in the homelessness sector, Michelle leads strategic initiatives across more than 30 counties in New York State, fostering community-level partnerships that drive meaningful progress. Michelle is being honored for her steadfast leadership in advancing justice and driving the advisory committee’s efforts to create meaning.
The namesake, Justice for All Award recognizes both an individual’s and a law firm’s exceptional commitment to civil legal services and LASNNY, demonstrated by pro bono service, technical assistance, volunteerism, mentorship, training/ CLE, and program or financial support. Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, represented by Paul Buehler, Esq, labor and employment attorney, will be honored with the 2025 Justice for All Award Firm Award for their steadfast backing of LASNNY through pro-bono services. While the firm serves individuals, companies, and public-sector entities in a broad range of areas, its commitment to pro bono service has been a valued pillar of our partnership. This year’s award especially recognizes the outstanding efforts of Paul J. Buehler III, Esq., whose dedication to pro bono representation to LASNNY exemplifies the spirit of the Justice for All Award and has made a lasting difference. Elisabeth A. Ruthman, Ph.D. (ret.), playwright is being honored for her deep commitment to legal services and crucial support of LASNNY’S mission and values. A former professor of French literature at UAlbany and Union College, her husband Rex Ruthman served on the LASNNY Board of Directors from 1969 to 1979. Elisabeth continues to honor her husband’s memory by supporting LASNNY’s work.
The Community Partner Award, which recognizes an outstanding community partner (non-attorney individual or group) who exemplifies the goals and values of LASNNY through their exceptional efforts to support and promote civil legal services, will be awarded to St. Joseph’s Outreach Center, represented by Heather Contessa and Starr Burke for their assistance working on LASNNY’s eviction prevention grant. This critical partnership helps get legal assistance to vulnerable rural and remote communities in the North Country. Since 1935, St. Joseph’s Community Outreach Center has been a cornerstone of compassion and service in the North Country. Guided by its Catholic faith and mission to welcome and serve all of God’s children, the Center has built a community where every person is valued — regardless of age, background, identity, or life circumstance. St. Joseph’s is being honored for its work in marginalized communities and in partnership with LASNNY to prevent evictions.
Dena DeFazio, Esq., associate at Barclay Damon LLP, has been awarded the 2025 PAI Pro Bono Award, which recognizes an individual for their distinguished service to the Private Attorney Involvement (PAI) Program as demonstrated through years of service, hours of service, number of clients, client outcomes, number of “Know Your Rights” presentations, number of clinics, mentoring volunteer attorneys, CLE presentations and other acts of service. Dena is an associate at Barclay Damon LLP, focusing her practice on regulatory and compliance issues in the health care and human services industry and not-for-profit governance matters. Prior to law school, Dena earned her MSW from the University at Buffalo and worked as a social worker providing supervised visitation and clinical counseling to parents with children in foster care. Dena is being honored for dedicating a significant amount of her time to providing pro bono service, focused on gender markers and name change clinics, recruiting and mentoring other volunteers from the firm, while also making time to lead trainings.
To learn additional information about the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York and to purchase tickets to the 2025 Justice for All Awards, visit our events page. Sponsorships for this event, including an opportunity to attend as an Honorary Committee member, are available.
