On May 28th, the Proskauer community gathered for the 18th Annual Golden Gavel Awards ceremony to celebrate and honor those lawyers and staff members who went far above and beyond to contribute to the Firm’s pro bono, corporate social responsibility, and inclusion efforts in 2025. Congratulations and thank you to the following colleagues for their extraordinary and inspiring commitment to public service.
PRO BONO
Parole Release Victory
For the past three years, a Proskauer team has represented a client in her New York State parole proceedings. The client served over two decades in state prison. While incarcerated, she devoted herself to therapy, rehabilitation, and acceptance of responsibility, achieved extraordinary academic success, and maintained a near-spotless disciplinary record, completely turning her life around. After numerous unsuccessful parole hearings, appeals, and Article 78 petitions, the team obtained a favorable Article 78 decision, and the client was finally granted parole release in September 2025.
Claire Abrahamson – New York, Associate, Litigation
Jake Butwin – New York, Associate, Litigation
Dakshïna Chetti – New York, Associate, Litigation
Benjamin Childress – New York, Associate, Corporate
Courtland Cuevas – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation
Sarah Ghivizzani – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
Alexander Guzy-Sprague– Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
Catheryn Ibegbu – New York, Project Assistant, Litigation
Michael Kratochvil – New York, Associate, Labor
Gawa (Jiahua) Zeng– London, Associate, Tax
Asylum
After nearly ten years, a team of Proskauer attorneys obtained a grant of asylum for a client. The team successfully demonstrated that the client has a well-founded fear of returning to his home country because he experienced violence and persecution there on the basis of his sexual orientation.
James Anderson – Boston, Senior Counsel, Litigation
Victoria Grant – Boston, Associate, Corporate
Benjamin Rubin – Boston, Partner, Corporate
Laura Stafford – Boston, Partner, Litigation
Hena Vora – New York, Associate, Litigation
Emily Weber – Boston, Associate, Corporate
Securing Disability Benefits for Eight-Year-Old Child
In September 2025, a Proskauer team secured a favorable decision on a Social Security disability application for an eight-year-old boy with a rare heart condition. The client’s monthly benefits were improperly terminated, and the family, who recently lived in a shelter, relied on those crucial benefits for financial stability. The Administrative Law Judge adopted the team’s analysis, finding that the child qualified to receive disability benefits and restoring them to his family to provide him with needed care.
James Anderson – Boston, Senior Counsel, Litigation
Sarah Carlson – Boston, Associate, Real Estate
Andrew Higgins – Boston, Associate, Corporate
Elliot Stevens – New York, Associate, Litigation
Saika Suzuki – Boston, Associate, Corporate
Access to Children’s Mental Health Services in New York
In 2022, a Proskauer team co-counseled with Disability Rights New York, Children’s Rights, and the National Health Law Program to file a federal class action challenging New York State’s failure to provide Medicaid-eligible children with required home- and community-based mental health services. In 2025, the case resulted in a settlement requiring statewide expansion of mental health services, benefitting more than 2.5 million children enrolled in Medicaid.
Aaliyah Brown – New York, Paralegal, Corporate
Michael Beckwith – New York, Associate, Litigation
Eric Chernus – Boston, eDiscovery Project Manager, Knowledge and Change Management
Adam Farbiarz – New York, Senior Counsel, Litigation
Steven Holinstat – New York, Partner, Litigation
Michael Menconi – New York, Associate, Corporate
Susanna Nagorny – New York, Paralegal, Litigation
Jacob Wonn – New York, Associate, Private Client Services
Chicago Crosswalks
A Proskauer team achieved a major victory in its longstanding advocacy for blind and visually impaired pedestrians this year when the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois entered a comprehensive Remedial Plan Order requiring the City of Chicago to install Accessible Pedestrian Signals at all signalized intersections over a period of years, dramatically expanding access to safe, nonvisual crossing information. The ruling followed six years of litigation brought by Proskauer and Disability Rights Advocates, alleging violations of the ADA and the Rehabilitation Act, and builds on a 2023 summary judgment decision finding the City in violation of federal law. In addition to mandating thousands of APS installations, the order requires prioritization of high-need intersections, ongoing maintenance, community engagement, and oversight by an independent monitor.
Ray Alvarez – Chicago, Associate, Corporate
Isaac Antoon – National, Associate Director of eDiscovery Services, Knowledge and Change Management
Robert Linton – Los Angeles, Senior Paralegal, Labor
Neil Shah – New York, Senior Counsel, Labor
Nigel Telman – Chicago, Partner, Labor
Edward Young – Chicago, Senior Counsel, Labor
Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the Courts
Proskauer lawyers work on various New York State Court committees and commissions to advances access to justice. A team of Proskauer attorneys helped the Chief Judge’s Advisory Committee on AI and the Court navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence while safeguarding fairness, transparency, and public trust in the justice system. Their work has strengthened the Courts’ ability to understand emerging technologies, anticipate legal and ethical challenges, and develop principled guidance for their responsible use.
Kathie Duperval – New York, Associate, Corporate
Brooke Gottlieb – New York, Assistant General Counsel
Meredith Lipson – New York, Associate, Corporate
Michael Menconi – New York, Associate, Corporate
Jonian Rafti – New York, Associate, Corporate
Lily Wang Petrie – New York, Associate, Corporate
Gun Violence Prevention
In 2025, Proskauer attorneys conducted extensive legal research for partners in the gun violence prevention space.
Matthew Crorey – New York, Special Finance Counsel, Corporate
Malcolm Hochenberg – New York, Partner, Tax
John Ingrassia – Washington, DC, Partner, Corporate
Dov Shore – New York, Project Assistant, Corporate
Matthew Westbrook – Washington, DC, Senior Counsel, Corporate
Supporting Mental Health Non-profit
Over the past several years, Proskauer has provided extensive support to a non-profit focused on expanding access to critical mental health services. This work encompassed a range of legal services, including employment advice, contract drafting, and reviewing and advising on several of the organization’s key operational partnerships.
Matthew Crorey – New York, Special Finance Counsel, Corporate
Mallory Hart – New Orleans, Associate, Labor
Arielle Kobetz – New York, Associate, Labor
Caroline Rimmer – New York, Associate, Corporate
Youth Enrichment Program
StreetSquash is a non-profit youth development organization founded in 1999 as the second urban squash program in the U.S. Through a comprehensive youth enrichment model, it combines academic tutoring, squash instruction, community service, college preparation, leadership development, and mentoring to support young people. Proskauer is proud to partner with this wonderful organization.
Jeffrey Horwitz – New York, Partner, Corporate
Pro Bono –Special Recognition
These honorees deserve special recognition and thanks for their exceptional contributions to the pro bono program. Their tireless work has increased the scope and impact of Proskauer’s pro bono work, as well as helped countless clients and causes.
Keith Barnett – Boston, Partner, Real Estate
Kelly Curtis – Los Angeles, Senior Counsel, Litigation
Joseph Drayton – New York, Partner, Litigation
Susan Goldfarb – Los Angeles, Special Finance Counsel, Corporate
Daryn Grossman – New York, Partner, Corporate
Stephen Hibbard – Los Angeles, Partner, Litigation
Christina Kroll – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation
William Leggat – New York, Project Assistant, Tax
Mary McNicholas – New York, Associate, Tax
Robert Pommer – Washington, DC, Partner, Litigation
John Sedarous – New York, Associate, Corporate
Elizabeth Shrieves – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
Nicole Swanson – New York, Associate, Litigation
Alan Teran – Boca Raton, Associate, Litigation
Bryanna Wilbor – New York, Associate, Corporate
Eamon Wizner – New York, Associate, Litigation
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Moot Court
Proskauer’s moot court programs run in both our New York and Washington, D.C. offices. As part of the program, students deepen their understanding of legal reasoning while building soft skills such as oral advocacy, critical thinking, professionalism, and collaborative problem solving, advancing their long-term academic and career development. Proskauer lawyers in New York and Washington, D.C. actively support Moot Court programs by serving as judges, coaches, and mentors, dedicating their time and advocacy expertise to developing future lawyers. These volunteers help students strengthen oral advocacy, legal reasoning, and professional confidence. Their sustained engagement provides students with meaningful exposure to the practice of law and reflects Proskauer’s commitment to mentorship, education, and service to the legal community.
Erik Milch – Washington, DC, Partner, Litigation
Nathan Schuur – Washington, DC, Partner, Corporate
Emily Wakeman – Washington, DC, Associate, Litigation
Eamon Wizner – New York, Associate, Litigation
Local Leaders
Support from local leaders is invaluable to supporting our collective impact. These individuals forge meaningful relationships with community partners, identify local needs, and help mobilize colleagues to contribute in meaningful ways. Through their leadership, students have built the skills needed for college and career success, individuals experiencing food insecurity have gained access reliable nutrition and services, and community members facing economic or social challenges have been connected with programs that promote stability, opportunity, and long-term well-being.
Katy Benson – New Orleans, Office Manager, Human Resources
Leslie Bobb – Chicago, Office Manager, Human Resources
Casey Brandenberger – Los Angeles, Associate Director of Legal Recruiting and Professional Development, Practice Management
Carrie Geldert – Boca Raton, Office Manager, Human Resources
Robert Harman – Washington, DC, Office Administrator, Human Resources
Hannah Holley – Charlotte, Office Manager, Human Resources
Aurel Van Iderstine – Los Angeles, Office Administrator, Human Resources
Difference Makers
We recognize our colleagues who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to volunteerism throughout the year and whose support of programs focused on food insecurity, poverty, education, and veterans’ affairs has made a meaningful difference in the lives of many in our communities. Whether serving meals at a local soup kitchen, helping rehabilitate homes for low-income families, or working with students and military protégés as they prepare for future educational and career opportunities, these individuals embody what it means to be a true “Difference Maker.”
Kiki Cokorinos – New York, Training and Development Supervisor, Human Resources
Matthew Cole – Chicago, Associate, Corporate
Dorehn Coleman – New York, Associate, Corporate
Melany Cruz Burgos – New York, Associate Director of Training and Development, Practice Management
Lee Dai – New York, Senior Manager of Financial Planning & Analysis, Finance
Emily DeMeo – New York, Internal Audit Supervisor, General Counsel’s Office
Jeremiah Evans – New York, Associate, Corporate
Sabrina Franconeri – New York, Director of Training and Development, Human Resources
Douglas Frank – Los Angeles, Partner, Real Estate
Brooke Gottlieb – New York, Assistant General Counsel
Anne Halpern – New York, Senior Project Manager, Knowledge and Change Management
Colleen Hart – Los Angeles, Partner, Tax
John Ingrassia – Washington, DC, Partner, Corporate
Courtney Kim – Los Angeles, Associate, Corporate
Nancy Kim – New York, Director of Lateral Recruiting, Practice Management
Shawn Ledingham Jr. – Los Angeles, Partner, Litigation
Kit Lee-Demery – New York, Senior Manager of Physical Security, Resilience Management
Katrine Magas – Los Angeles, Senior Counsel, Tax
Nicole Magrini – New York, Associate Director of Paralegal Services, Practice Management
Maura McDonagh – New York, US Controller, Finance
Brenna McLean – Chicago, Associate, Labor & Employment
Katelyn O’Brien – New York, Associate, Litigation
Todd Ohlms – Chicago, Partner, Litigation
Portia Proctor – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation
Brianna Reed – Boston, Senior Counsel, Tax
Melena Say – Washington, DC, Legal Recruiting Coordinator, Practice Management
Doris Schwartzblat – New York, Senior Project Manager, Knowledge and Change Management
John Sedarous – New York, Associate, Corporate
Andrew Solomon – New York, Associate Director of Business Services Recruiting, Human Resources
Nicole Swanson – New York, Associate, Litigation
Lene Viculin – Lost Angeles, Senior Paralegal, Private Client Services
Jennifer Yang – New York, Partner, Litigation
Talent Development and Community Building
This award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence through their efforts to increase community engagement and inclusion opportunities within the Firm. These recipients’ actions have directly impacted the Firm’s ability to attract, develop, motivate, and retain talent from all backgrounds and experiences. All of the honorees below have invested significant time, energy, and resources into creating inclusive, affirming spaces for our lawyers and staff members, advocating for their needs, and challenging the Firm to continuously prioritize inclusion in meaningful ways.
Monica Arora – New York, Partner, Private Funds
Rob Chiu – New York / London, Associate, Corporate
Kathie Duperval – New York, Associate, Corporate
Yomarie Habenicht – Washington, DC, Associate, Tax
Steven Hurd – New York, Partner, Labor
Gloria Kim – New York, Associate, Corporate
Jiyoon Kim – New York, Associate, Corporate
Portia Proctor – Los Angeles, Associate, Litigation
Andrea Rattner – New York, Partner, Tax
John Sedarous – New York, Associate, Corporate
Advancing Change
This award recognizes individuals who have been engaged in significant ways in the advancement of community engagement and inclusion and through their actions have raised awareness of the Firm’s inclusion efforts.
Joseph Drayton – New York, Partner, Litigation
Colleen Hart – Los Angeles, Partner, Tax
Camille Higonnet – Boston, Partner, Corporate
Jordan Horowitz – New York, Associate, Corporate
Andrea Rattner – New York, Partner, Tax
Nigel Telman – Chicago, Partner, Labor
PROSKAUER IMPACT
Impact Award
Proskauer Impact is a firmwide initiative aimed at redefining the power of a law firm to advance social progress through the Firm’s people, platforms, and partnerships. This inaugural award recognizes an individual whose leadership, sustained commitment, and hands-on contributions have been central to bringing the initiative to life. Through strategic vision and consistent engagement, the recipient has helped translate the Firm’s values into meaningful action and measurable impact.
Robert Shmalo – New York, Partner, Real Estate