CITY BAR JUSTICE CENTER INAUGURAL GALA

Tuesday, April 4 at 6 p.m.

The City Bar Justice Center, the public service arm of the New York City Bar Association, is gearing up for its inaugural gala to honor leaders in the fight to increase access to justice for all New Yorkers. The law firm of Simpson Thacher and Bartlett and the American Express Company will be honored for their commitment to pro bono at the April 4th Gala.

“You can feel the excitement in the air at the Justice Center as we make last minute preparations for the Gala,” said Maria Imperial, director of the City Bar Justice Center. “We have far surpassed our original expectations and have already filled more than 50 tables. We are deeply grateful to all those who are supporting the Gala.”

The idea for the Gala was conceived by City Bar President Betsy Plevan, who says “Those who join us in the effort to make sure that more needy New Yorkers receive legal assistance deserve a night of recognition and celebration. We are proud to be presenting the first City Bar Justice Awards to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett and American Express.”

AMERICAN EXPRESS COMPANY
American Express is a leader in corporate pro bono. From its pro bono leadership after 9/11, to its daily philanthropic work on the community level, American Express has been at the forefront in providing New Yorkers in need with vital support and assistance. Particularly noteworthy is the company’s commitment to financial literacy education to underserved populations, including the newly employed, those moving from welfare to work, and immigrants.

SIMPSON THACHER & BARTLETT
Simpson Thacher & Bartlett has been dedicated to providing pro bono representation to indigent New Yorkers, particularly those fleeing persecution around the world. From its work with the City Bar Justice Center’s Refugee Assistance Project to its founding support of the Vance Center for International Justice Initiatives and its firmwide commitment to pro bono, Simpson Thacher has a history of championing causes worthy of recognition. This is exemplified by its decade-long representation of the Campaign for Fiscal Equity in its effort to provide fair public education funding for New York City’s schoolchildren.

THE CITY BAR JUSTICE CENTER
The City Bar Justice Center works to increase access to justice for New Yorkers in need (immigrants, battered women, the homeless, the elderly, cancer survivors, consumers filing for bankruptcy and struggling small business owners) by leveraging the resources of New York City’s legal community. As the public service arm of the New York City Bar, the City Bar Justice Center fosters strategic relationships among the private bar, the judiciary, legal aid providers and other organizations, educates the public on legal issues and impacts public policy.

About the Association
The Association of the Bar of the City of New York (www.nycbar.org) was founded in 1870, and since then has been dedicated to maintaining the high ethical standards of the profession, promoting reform of the law, and providing service to the profession and the public.

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