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2017 ANNUAL GALA
April 6, 2017
GET TO KNOW THE FOUR PRESIDING JUSTICES OF THE NYS APPELLATE DIVISIONS
Hon. Peter Tom, First Dept. (Acting Presiding Justice)
Hon. Randall T. Eng, Second Dept.
Hon. Karen K. Peters, Third Dept.
Hon. Gerald J. Whalen, Fourth Dept.
and Helaine M. Barnett, recipient of the first Judith S. Kaye Achievement Award
New York Public Library
Robert J. Giuffra, Jr., Gala Chair
Lynn K. Neuner & Michael W. Leahy, Co-Chairs
Roy L. Reardon, Honorary Chair
The program opened with welcoming remarks by NYS Chief Judge Janet DiFiore. The Chief Judge spoke about the evening’s honorees, the four Presiding Justices of the NYS Appellate Divisions: Hon. Peter Tom, First Dept; Hon. Randall T. Eng, Second Dept; Hon. Karen K. Peters, Third Dept; and Hon. Gerald J. Whalen, Fourth Dept.
The Chief Judge then started a new tradition as she named Helaine M. Barnett, chair of the NYS Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, as the first recipient of the Judith S. Kaye Achievement Award for her devotion during her legal career to expanding access to justice for the poor.
2017 Gala Film
The Society film brought together the four Presiding Justices in the chambers of Presiding Justice Randall Eng, a Society Trustee. Included were excerpts from their individual stories about their childhood backgrounds and roads to the bench drawn from longer oral histories filmed that day. The film continued with a roundtable discussion among the four, with inspiring remarks in conclusion.