The Fellows of The New York Bar Foundation

The Fellows of the New York Bar Foundation are members of the bench and bar who are recognized for outstanding professional achievement, for dedication to the legal profession, and for commitment to the organized bar.

Each Fellow makes a commitment to financially support the goals and objectives of The Foundation through charitable contributions. Fellows also assist the Board in identifying potential grant projects and other causes that may benefit from The Foundation’s assistance.

The following is The New York Bar Foundation’s definition of a Fellow:

  • A Fellow understands that the law is a learned occupation and is inescapably a public calling. A Fellow appreciates that the combined professional effort of all lawyers nurtures and sustains the rule of law and American democracy. A fellow strives to develop, uphold and maintain these core values of the profession.
  • A Fellow embraces lawyer independence, ethical behavior, self-renewal, competence, responsibility, an appreciation for the historical continuity and tradition of the profession, and respect for clients, adversaries and the courts.
  • A Fellow acknowledges that the practice of law is a helping profession and that attorneys, as custodians of the legal system, have enhanced obligations of service to the community, to the profession, and to promote justice through the rule of law.

Bylaws
The Fellows of The New York Bar Foundation, established in 1974, have separate bylaws and officers from The New York Bar Foundation.  Per the bylaws, The Fellows hold an annual meeting to elect the offices for the ensuing year and receive a report of research and other activities of The Foundation.

Nomination to Be A Fellow
An individual is generally nominated to become a Fellow by a Director on the Board of The Foundation or by a member of The Fellows and is elected by the full Board. The number of Fellows is limited under The Foundation Bylaws to one percent of the New York State Bar Association membership in each of the state’s 13 judicial districts plus 100 at-large members.  Fellows of The New York Bar Foundation are ambassadors; they exemplify the spirit of caring and sharing by demonstrating their belief that the practice of law is a helping profession.  Fellows are instrumental to the growth and success of The New York Bar Foundation, and it is an honor to be nominated as such.

Each Fellow of The New York Bar Foundation is selected by the Board of Directors and is a lawyer who is recognized for:  Outstanding professional achievement, Dedication to the legal profession, and Commitment to the organized bar.  Every Fellow makes a financial commitment to The Foundation to support its grant making program which provides funding for law-related programs throughout the state of New York.

Click here for more information about the Circles of Giving.




James R. Barnes, Esq.

James R. Barnes
Chair of The Fellows


Don_Doerr_Headshot_051414.jpg

Donald C. Doerr

Vice-chair of The Fellows


Lauren Wachtler

Lauren Wachtler

Vice-chair of The Fellows



District Chairs of The Fellows
The following Fellows serve as Chair or Co-Chair of The Fellows in the 13 Judicial Districts of the State of New York:

First
Chin_Sylvia
Sylvia Fung Chin, New York

Raymond J. Dowd

Raymond J. Dowd, New York


Second
Longo_Mark
Mark A. Longo, Brooklyn

Third

Sarah E. Gold, Albany

Fourth
Peter Coffey

Peter V. Coffey, Schenectady

Tara Anne Pleat, Clifton Park

Wollman_Paul_L
Hon. Paul L. Wollman
, Amsterdam

Fifth
Don Doerr

Donald C. Doerr, Syracuse


Sixth
Richard Long

Richard B. Long, Binghamton

Seventh
Lawrence_C_Bruce
C. Bruce Lawrence,
Rochester

Moore_James_C
James C. Moore,
Rochester

Schraver_David

David M. Schraver, Rochester


Eighth


Vincent E. Doyle III

Vincent E. Doyle III, Buffalo


Ninth


Tenth
Ilene Cooper,
Uniondale

Gerard Fishberg

Gerard Fishberg, Garden City


Eleventh

David L. Cohen Fellows JD Chair

David L. Cohen, Kew Gardens


Twelfth

Steven E. Millon, New York 

Thirteenth
Claire C.Miller,
Staten Island