Access Justice Brooklyn welcomes three new board members — Dhiman, Kotler and Zichawo

May 3, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Newly appointed Access Justice Brooklyn board members, Akshay Dhiman, Melanie Kotler, and William Zichawo, come together to bolster the organization's mission to provide equal access to legal services and make a lasting impact in the Brooklyn community. Photos courtesy of Access Justice Brooklyn.

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Access Justice Brooklyn announced the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors on Tuesday, following their election at the organization’s meeting on April 18.

The new additions to the board include Akshay Dhiman, Managing Director — Power, Energy & Infrastructure M&A at Lazard; Melanie Kotler, VP of Legal Counsel — Investments at RenaissanceRe; and William Zichawo, incoming Vice President in Private Wealth Solutions Legal at Blackstone.

“We are thrilled to welcome Akshay, Melanie, and Will to the Access Justice Brooklyn Board,” said Daniel Angel, Board Resource and Governance Committee Co-Chair, Access Justice Brooklyn Board of Directors.

Newly appointed Access Justice Brooklyn board member, Akshay Dhiman.

“Their undeniable connection to our mission and shared core values combined with such exceptional and diverse professional talents will help advance our community impact goals while strengthening our efforts in dismantling systemic barriers to justice.”

Access Justice Brooklyn is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing equal access to legal services across Brooklyn and the greater New York City area, focusing on housing, family stability, and subsistence income. The organization partners with compassionate pro bono attorneys to offer high-quality civil legal services, ensuring equal access to the legal system.

The three new board members, each with their own impressive professional backgrounds, expressed their enthusiasm for joining Access Justice Brooklyn and furthering its mission.

Akshay Dhiman emphasized the importance of the organization’s services, stating he looks forward to utilizing his experience to advance its goals.

Newly appointed Access Justice Brooklyn board member, William Zichawo.

Melanie Kotler, an attorney with a passion for increasing access to quality education for under-resourced students and families, noted that the mission and vision of Access Justice Brooklyn resonates with her deeply.

“I am incredibly honored to join the Board of Access Justice Brooklyn, an impressive team of individuals supporting invaluable services for some of the most underserved populations in New York City,” Kotler said. “As an attorney who has spent many years dedicated to increasing access to quality education for historically under-resourced students and families, I’ve seen the effects of much wider-scale systemic barriers to justice.”

William Zichawo expressed his motivation to work alongside fellow board members, the organization’s staff, and community partners to expand the reach of high-quality civil legal services.

The new members will join a 22-member board that oversees Access Justice Brooklyn’s governance and strategic development.