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Brooklyn Bar Association holds annual foundation dinner

December 6, 2016 By Rob Abruzzese, Legal Editor Brooklyn Daily Eagle
Pictured from left: Aimee Richter, Avery Eli Okin, Hon. Martin M. Solomon, Hon. Frank Seddio, Domenick Napoletano and Hon. Deborah A. Dowling. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese
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The Brooklyn Bar Association Foundation hosted its annual dinner, where more than 800 members of the legal community came together at the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge in Downtown Brooklyn to honor two judges and a past president during a ceremony Monday night.

Justice Martin M. Solomon and Justice Deborah A. Dowling were both honored alongside attorney and past president of the Brooklyn Bar Association (BBA) Domenick Napoletano. Justice Carolyn E. DeMarest was also honored with a plaque in recognition of her retirement from the bench.

“When I look around this room, I feel a great sense of pride that our Brooklyn legal community can come together on this very special night to celebrate,” said BBA President-elect Aimee Richter. “We’re here tonight to celebrate Brooklyn, celebrate relationships, to celebrate the good works of the Brooklyn Bar Association Foundation and tonight’s honorees.”

Hon. Frank Seddio, president of the BBA, started off the evening by honoring Ken Thompson, the late district attorney who passed away in October, with a moment of silence.

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“We are here to honor the people who have given us their time and their talents over the years as the judiciary and attorneys. I’m so proud of each of them. One of those attorneys who couldn’t be here tonight is Ken Thompson. I’d like to take a moment in remembrance of an attorney who rose to prominence and just a few short years ago became the district attorney right here in Kings County.”

Hon. Barry Kamins introduced the judges and bar leaders who sat atop the dais. Hon. Carolyn Demarest was presented with her plaque. Hon. Eric N. Vitaliano, Hon. Michelle Weston and Hon. Michael L. Pesce introduced each honoree. Prior to the awards being given out, Mayor Bill de Blasio addressed the crowd.

“There is no city on the Earth that respects the different religious faiths and honors each of them more than NYC, so we have to be an example,” de Blasio said. “Everyone in this room knows it because you uphold the law and believe in the law and the equal application of the law.”

Judge Solomon talked about the importance lawyers play in the community, Judge Dowling hilariously addressed rumors as to why it took her 29 years on the bench to finally be honored and Napoletano took the time to talk about those who helped his career.

“Seriously, it is an honor to be selected as one of the honorees,” Justice Dowling said. “When I joined the BBA, Brooklyn was considered one of the outer boroughs and all of the power was concentrated in NYC. But the BBA was busy gaining a close relationship with the community. The Volunteer Lawyers Project, its outreach and assistance for young lawyers is something to behold and over the years it has become a force to be reckoned with.”

 


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