June 14, 2017 (NEW YORK) – Partner Betsy Plevan has been honored with the Third Annual James Duane Award. Presented by the Bench and Bar of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), the James Duane Award is named after the first judge to sit in the District of New York and recognizes those who have rendered admirable, exemplary service to the SDNY. Inaugurated in the Court’s 225th Anniversary year, past honorees include Attorney General Michael Mukasey and former U.S. Attorney Robert Fiske.

Betsy was recognized for her leadership in the profession, civil rights activism, and trailblazing efforts on behalf of women. After joining Proskauer in 1974, Betsy became the first woman to practice in the Firm’s Litigation Department and the first woman to serve on its Executive Committee (twice). A discrimination law expert, Betsy is a nationally respected trial and appellate lawyer, elected to both the American College of Trial Lawyers and the American Academy of Appellate Lawyers.

As the first Chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Committee on Women in the Profession, Betsy launched “Glass Ceilings and Open Doors: Women's Advancement in the Legal Profession” – a study that served as a catalyst for change in the legal profession. Betsy also co-chaired the Gender Committee of the Second Circuit Task Force on Gender, Racial and Ethnic Fairness in the Courts.

A longtime leader in the bar, Betsy served as President of the New York City Bar Association from 2004-2006, chaired the ABA Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary, and served as President of the Federal Bar Council. She also chaired both the Second Circuit Judicial Conference and the SDNY Magistrate Selection Committee, and served on Senator Chuck Schumer’s panel to select New York federal court judges.

The Third Annual James Duane Awards dinner was held at the Water Club on June 12, 2017.