Senate Resolution No. 1232

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Joseph Williams, Esq. upon the occasion
of his designation as recipient of the Stanley A.
Rosen Memorial Award for Service to Victims of
Domestic Violence by The Legal Project on April 26,
2019

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to call attention
to the dedicated efforts of those legal professionals from across the
State of New York who volunteer their time and energies in service to
the community; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Joseph Williams, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as recipient
of the Stanley A. Rosen Memorial Award for Service to Victims of
Domestic Violence by The Legal Project, to be celebrated at its Awards
Luncheon on Friday, April 26, 2019, at The Century House, Latham, New
York; and

WHEREAS, Founded by the Capital District Women's Bar Association in
1995, The Legal Project is a private, not-for-profit organization which
provides a variety of free and low cost legal services to the working
poor, victims of domestic violence and other underserved individuals in
the Capital District of New York State; and

WHEREAS, This auspicious award is presented to an attorney who has
demonstrated an ability to litigate a matter on behalf of a victim of
domestic violence, and who shows the utmost professionalism and
integrity in their dealings with the Court, litigants and attorneys,
which are qualities exemplified by Stanley Rosen during his lifetime;
Joseph Williams is one such individual; and

WHEREAS, An attorney with the law firm, Copps DiPaola Silverman,
PLLC, Joseph Williams practices primarily in the areas of adoption,
family law and assisted reproduction; prior to joining the firm, his
private practice focused exclusively upon the representation of
individuals in divorce and family law matters; and

WHEREAS, In addition, he worked at another boutique family law firm
in the Capital District, devoting his time to the representation of
clients in a wide array of complex matrimonial and family law matters,
with a special emphasis on contested custody and domestic violence
cases, as well as matrimonial and family appeals; and

WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Joseph Williams has been
an active member of The Legal Project's pro bono domestic violence
family court panel and reduced fee matrimonial panel; he regularly takes
on cases, representing victims of domestic violence in family court and
divorce actions pro bono or at a reduced rate; and

WHEREAS, With a steadfast and unwavering commitment to his
community, Joseph Williams served as a fellow with the Katheryn D. Katz
Fellowship Program at The Legal Project, focusing exclusively on the

representation of individuals in divorce and family law matters
involving complex issues of domestic and/or intimate partner violence;
and

WHEREAS, Pro bono work by skilled professionals is an essential
element of all societies; it provides a way in which the human values of
community, caring and serving can be sustained and strengthened; and

WHEREAS, This vital legal service promotes family and community
solidarity; most importantly, attorneys who volunteer their time in
civic and charitable endeavors inspire others to the call of
volunteerism; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Joseph Williams, Esq. upon the occasion of his designation as
recipient of the Stanley A. Rosen Memorial Award for Service to Victims
of Domestic Violence by The Legal Project on April 26, 2019; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Joseph Williams, Esq.