Guardianship Diversity Initiative

The unique mandate of the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission includes a responsibility for drawing attention to worthy, lesser-known opportunities for New York attorneys to contribute to equal justice under law. One such program is the Guardianship Diversity Initiative, which seeks attorneys of diverse backgrounds for Article 81 guardianships. The initiative focuses on the role of attorneys in these proceedings and how guardianship can enhance an attorney’s practice.

In conjunction with the New York Women’s Bar Association, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission and Guardianship Diversity Initiative co-sponsored two events in Winter 2021 to bolster the pipeline of diverse attorneys serving as Article 81 guardians. The events helped explain the value proposition of guardianship beyond altruism, with a particular focus on how an attorney’s practice can be enhanced from the experience of Article 81 guardianship

The first event, an “Introduction to the Queens Guardianship Bench,” featured Hon. Chereè Buggs, Hon. Wyatt N. Gibbons, Hon. Lee A. Mayersohn, Hon. Bernice D. Siegal, and Hon. Lisa A. Sokoloff.

A month later, the Commission built off the success from the Queens event by hosting an “Introduction to the Kings and Richmond Counties Guardianship Benches.” Speakers explored the various roles attorneys and judges play in guardianship proceedings and discussed the importance of practicing with cultural competency and compassion. Featured speakers included Hon. Lisa A. Sokoloff, Philip Solomon, Esq., Ingrid Wyllie, Esq., Pamela Walker, Esq., Vanasa Wills, Hon. Charles Troia, Hon. Leon Ruchelsman, and Hon. Lisa Ottley.

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