Senate Resolution No. 4864

BY: Senator BRESLIN

HONORING Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq. upon the
occasion of her designation as recipient of the
Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award by The Legal
Project on April 27, 2018

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
Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award by The Legal
Project, to be celebrated at its Awards Luncheon on Friday, April 27,
2018, 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, Eleanor M. DeCoursey graduated with a Bachelor of Arts
degree from Marist College; she went on to earn a Juris Doctor degree
from New York Law School in 1984; and

WHEREAS, A founding partner at Gordon Tepper and DeCoursey, LLP.,
Eleanor M. DeCoursey concentrates her practice on matrimonial and family
law; and

WHEREAS, Eleanor M. DeCoursey was appointed to the Character and
Fitness Admissions Committee for the Fourth Judicial District where she
served for many years; additionally, in 2004, she was appointed by the
presiding justice of the Appellate Division Third Department to the New
York State Unified Court System Family Violence Task Force, where she
continues to serve today; and

WHEREAS, Eleanor M. DeCoursey is a member of the New York State Bar
Association Family Law Section where she has served in various
leadership positions; she previously served on the Schenectady County
Bar Association Board of Directors as President, Vice President and the
Matrimonial Committee; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this extraordinary woman served as delegate to
the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates; she has also
served on the Board of Directors of The Legal Project and the Legal Aid
Society of Northeastern New York; and

WHEREAS, Eleanor M. DeCoursey gives tirelessly to The Legal
Project's Advisory Committee, and is a past recipient of the Stanley A.
Rosen Award for litigation on behalf of victims of domestic 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 Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq. upon the occasion of her designation as
recipient of the Excellence in Pro Bono Service Award by The Legal
Project on April 27, 2018; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Eleanor M. DeCoursey, Esq.