LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring James P. Slattery upon the occasion of
his designation by the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers
Project as the recipient of its 2011 Building Bridges Leadership Award

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to individuals and organizations which have shown an enduring
commitment to improving the quality of life in their communities and to
enhancing their profession and fostering the highest level of profes-
sionalism; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend
the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project, Inc. (VLP) and
to applaud James P. Slattery upon the occasion of his designation as the
recipient of the VLP's 2011 Building Bridges Leadership Award; and
WHEREAS, VLP will honor James P. Slattery as it celebrates its 21st
year of providing award-winning pro bono legal services to the people of
Brooklyn at Bridgewaters in the South Street Seaport on Tuesday, June
21, 2011; and
WHEREAS, Established by the Brooklyn Bar Association in 1990, the
Volunteer Lawyers Project is dedicated to ensuring that the legal system
is accessible to those who, because of special needs or the overwhelming
burdens of poverty, would not otherwise have their rights protected or
their voices heard; and
WHEREAS, Each year the Volunteer Lawyers Project proudly honors a
distinguished colleague who exemplifies, supports, and helps to further
the project's mission with its esteemed Building Bridges Leadership
Award; James P. Slattery truly merits this high honor in recognition of
his exceptional commitment to the public good and justice for all and of
his unwavering support of the VLP; and
WHEREAS, A 1966 graduate of St. John's University School of Law, James
P. Slattery joined Cullen and Dykman LLP, a general practice law firm,
in 1969, and has been a partner in the firm since 1979; and
WHEREAS, James P. Slattery joined the Board of the Volunteer Lawyers
Project in 1992 and has been serving, for the past 14 years, since 1997,
as the President of the Board, providing invaluable knowledge, guidance,
and leadership; and
WHEREAS, During his tenure as President, the VLP has become a model
for other pro bono projects throughout New York State; and
WHEREAS, With quiet dignity, kindness and grace, James P. Slattery has
served as a tireless advocate for the less fortunate, a strong voice for
the voiceless, and an inspiration to his colleagues, to scores of volun-
teers, and to countless others who labor in pursuit of equal access to
justice for all; and
WHEREAS, In addition to his commitment to the VLP, James P. Slattery
also chairs the Kingsborough Community College Foundation; serves as a
member of the Board of Trustees of Mercy Home, which provides housing
and services to the developmentally disabled in Brooklyn, Queens and
Nassau County; and is a Trustee of the Brooklyn Visiting Nurse Founda-
tion; he has served, as well, on the Grievance Committee for the Second
and Eleventh Judicial Districts; and
WHEREAS, James P. Slattery has fittingly been honored many times in
recognition of his distinction in his profession and his service to his
community; he is a recipient of Boy Scouts of America's Silver Beaver
and Golden Eagle Awards and was the 2005 recipient of the Brooklyn Bar
Association's Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in the Science of
Jurisprudence and Public Service; and

WHEREAS, James P. Slattery and his wife, Linda, reside in Manhattan
and East Norwich, Long Island; and
WHEREAS, On September 11, 2001, Jim and Linda Slattery lost their son,
Christopher, in the World Trade Center attack; this tragedy prompted a
call to action by their entire family, resulting in the establishment of
the Christopher Slattery Memorial Scholarship Foundation; and
WHEREAS, The Foundation sponsors the Christopher Slattery Young
Professional Award for Outstanding Commitment to Pro Bono Representation
to the Impoverished Residents of Brooklyn, proudly presented in his
honor to a young lawyer during the VLP's Volunteer Recognition Reception
each Fall; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to take note of and
publicly acknowledge individuals in the legal profession, such as James
P. Slattery, who distinguish themselves through their exemplary careers
and purposeful lives of service to their community and their profession;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor James P. Slattery upon the occasion of his designation by the
Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project as the recipient of
its 2011 Building Bridges Leadership Award on June 21, 2011; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to James P. Slattery.