Access Justice Brooklyn bids farewell to board veterans

March 28, 2023 Robert Abruzzese

Larry DiGiovanna, and Steven Zelkowitz, announced their retirements from the board of Access Justice Brooklyn last Thursday. All photos courtesy of Access Justice Brooklyn.

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BROOKLYN — Access Justice Brooklyn recently announced the retirement of long-serving Board Vice Chair Lawrence DiGiovanna and Board Member Steven Zelkowitz, and the election of new board leadership.

Larry DiGiovanna, and Steven Zelkowitz, announced their retirements from the board of Access Justice Brooklyn last Thursday.

Stephen Williamson will replace DiGiovanna as Vice Chair, while Michael Watson will assume the role of Secretary. Lynn Judell and Scottye Lindsey have been re-elected as Chair and Treasurer, respectively.

DiGiovanna, a Partner at Abrams Fensterman, joined Access Justice Brooklyn’s Board of Directors in 1999 and has played a crucial role in the organization’s development. As Vice Chair for twenty years and Audit Committee Chair since 2015, DiGiovanna expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and congratulated the Board on the organization’s growth.

“I am deeply appreciative for having had the opportunity and ability to serve the organization as a volunteer, Board Member, and officer,” said DiGiovanna. “I congratulate the Board on the amazing progress that has been made over the past decade in bringing Access Justice Brooklyn from a modest but effective provider to one of the top volunteer legal service organizations in New York State.

Lynn Judell was re-elected as board chair, and Stephen Williamson took over as vice chair.

“Our accomplishments in growth, both financial and programmatic, give us all reasons to be proud. But for those who have engaged in volunteerism, we know the most gratifying moments come when clients, each in their own way, express their appreciation for our help, although we require no such thanks.”

Zelkowitz, President of Utility Technology Solutions, has served on the Board since 1999 and chaired the Investment Committee from 2014-2020. He expressed his pride in the organization’s development and wished continued success for its mission to provide legal services to Brooklyn’s underserved communities.

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve as a member of the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn for over 23 years, and contribute, in some small way, to its development and growth into a critical part of the legal infrastructure in Brooklyn providing vital legal services to the underserved of the borough. I wish the organization and its staff nothing but continued success in achieving its important mission.”

Access Justice Brooklyn praised DiGiovanna and Zelkowitz for their leadership, generosity, and dedication, which have significantly contributed to the organization’s mission and pioneering pro bono model. Board Chair Lynn Judell lauded the pair as exemplars of legal advocacy and credited their shared values and commitment to equal justice for the organization’s enhanced role in Brooklyn’s legal landscape.

“Larry and Steve are shining examples of what it means to be legal advocates for our community. Their shared values and commitment to equal justice are what helped pave the path for Access Justice Brooklyn to enhance its role in providing high-quality, civil legal services to Brooklyn’s underserved communities. Their influence and impact will be forever embedded into the fiber of Access Justice Brooklyn’s work and fulfillment of our mission.”