Courts and Law

Pro Bono Barrister: BBA bends rules, adds new non-golfers agenda to Justice Theodore Jones Memorial Golf Outing

April 7, 2014 By Charles F. Otey, Esq. Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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Justice Theodore Jones was one of the most respected jurists in the state when he suddenly passed away a few years ago. He had very modestly, yet steadily, rose through the ranks and finally was accorded a position on the state’s highest court — the New York Court of Appeals.

His appointment brought a sense of pride to the Kings legal community and was especially welcome here because, at that time, there were a lot of crises roiling judicial procedures and activities.

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A Vietnam veteran whose smile from the bench at once showed kindness and instilled faith in the system to litigators as well as clients, he was fair, but firm, even when facing high-visibility issues such as an unpopular Transit Workers strike.

When Justice Jones was elevated to the Court of Appeals, many barristers were pleased for him, but acknowledged privately that he would be sorely missed in the halls and rooms of 360 Adams St.

And he was.

Shocked by his death, colleagues and friends in the Brooklyn Bar Association quickly came up with a fitting way to honor his memory and recognize his lifelong love affair with the sport of golf: The Hon. Theodore T. Jones Jr. Memorial Golf Outing.

When the outing was initiated last year, it seemed an excellent way to memorialize his impressive record. Yet there was one drawback — many non-golfers felt left out and preferred not to take part in the all-day golf outing, which, for them, would be spent in the clubhouse cafe.

Shortly after the second annual memorial outing, set for April 28, was announced several weeks back, BBA leaders must have sensed that something had to be done to encourage non-golfers to take part.

So, members and supporters have received an announcement that reads, “New for non-golfers: In order to accommodate non-golfers who want to arrive early, we’ve added a free afternoon yoga class and beginner’s golf clinic. And that’s not all: For an additional $25 you can add a 40-minute massage to your day!”

Credit BBA President Andy Fallek, Executive Director Avery Okin and the BBA Golf Committee for coming up with a solution that is sure to attract more participants when it gets underway in just a few weeks.

Other BBA officers looking for a sub-par performance (on the links) on April 28 include President-elect Rebecca Woodland, First Vice President Arthur Aidala, Second Vice President Hon. Frank Seddio, Secretary Aimee Richter and Treasurer David Chidekel.


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