Bill Text: NY J01845 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Honoring Leigh Ellis upon the occasion of her special designation by Pace University at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law Leadership Award Dinner on March 14, 2024

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-02-27 - ADOPTED [J01845 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-J01845-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1845

BY: Senator MAYER

        HONORING  Leigh  Ellis  upon  the  occasion of her
        special  designation  by  Pace  University  at   the
        Elisabeth Haub School of Law Leadership Award Dinner
        on March 14, 2024

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the quality of life in their community and have shown a long and
sustained commitment to the  maintenance  of  high  standards  in  their
profession,  certainly  have  earned the recognition and applause of all
the citizens of this great Empire State; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Leigh  Ellis  upon  the  occasion  of  her  special  designation for her
exemplary service to her community and State by Pace University,  to  be
celebrated  on  Thursday,  March  14, 2024, at the 29th Annual Elisabeth
Haub School of Law Leadership Award Dinner at  the  Westchester  Country
Club in Rye, New York; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Law Leadership Dinner is the signature fundraiser for
the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and a celebration to
honor  individuals  or  organizations   that   have   made   outstanding
contributions  to  the legal community, the Law School, and the practice
of Law; and

  WHEREAS, Having joined the  faculty  in  2023,  Leigh  Ellis  is  an
Assistant Professor at Creighton University School of Law; and

  WHEREAS,  Prior  to  her  current  position, Leigh Ellis worked as a
public defender in Douglas County, Nebraska, where her practice  focused
on  juvenile  law,  welfare  proceedings,  adult misdemeanor, and felony
offenses; and

  WHEREAS,  Leigh  Ellis,  in  her  capacity  as  a  public  defender,
represented   clients  in  bench  trials,  jury  trials,  and  appellate
proceedings; most notably, she successfully argued the appeal of "In  re
Interest of Victor L.", in which the Nebraska Supreme Court recognized a
youth's  statutory  right  to  be  competent  prior to proceeding with a
juvenile court adjudication; and

  WHEREAS, In addition to working at  the  Public  Defender's  Office,
Leigh  Ellis  also  previously  worked  at  Legal Services of the Hudson
Valley in New York and the Health Education and Law Project ("HELP")  at
Legal Aid of Nebraska; and

  WHEREAS,  A  2015  graduate  of  the  Pace University Elisabeth Haub
School of Law in New York, Leigh Ellis received the Most Promising  Pace
Law  Student  Award,  the  Dean's  Award,  and the Vanessa Merton Public
Service Award; and

  WHEREAS,  Leigh  Ellis'  law  school  career  culminated  with   her
participating  in  Chief  Justice  Lippman's  Pro Bono Scholars Program,
which allowed her to take the New York  bar  exam  while  still  in  law

school and then dedicate the remainder of her spring semester to working
full-time  in  the  Children's  Advocacy  Unit  at Legal Services of the
Hudson Valley; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  custom  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  Leigh  Ellis upon the occasion of her special designation for her
exemplary service to her community and State by Pace University  at  the
Elisabeth  Haub School of Law Leadership Award Dinner on March 14, 2024;
and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted to Leigh Ellis.