‘Titan of Justice’ Judge Edwina Richardson to be honored at NYSBA annual meeting

January 11, 2024 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Deputy Chief Administrative Judges Hon. Edwina Richardson (right) and Hon. Deborah Kaplan (left), instrumental in organizing the Unified Court System's new anti-bias training programs, pose together.Photo: Robert Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

Hon. Edwina Richardson (right) pictured with Hon. Deborah Kaplan (left).
Photo: Robert Abruzzese/Brooklyn Eagle

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The NYS Bar Association is set to honor Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Richardson with the prestigious Ruth G. Schapiro Award during a ceremony that will take place at the association’s Annual Meeting in Manhattan on Friday, Jan. 20.

Judge Richardson is known for her work with the Office for Justice Initiatives, which is tasked with ensuring meaningful access to justice for all New Yorkers in Civil, Criminal, and Family courts. In that role, she supervises help centers, pro bono programs, and resources catering to unrepresented court users. Her efforts focus on eliminating bias, discrimination, and harassment in the court system, and in creating trust among the public.

“Judge Richardson is a champion for women and girls, and her passion knows no bounds,” said NYSBA President Richard Lewis. “She is a visionary leader who works tirelessly to make our courts accessible to all New Yorkers and is beloved by the lawyers with whom she interacts.”

Leading the Equal Justice in the Courts Initiative, Judge Richardson continues to address issues highlighted in the 2020 report on equal access and racial bias in the New York State Court System.Homeland Security Jeh JohnsonHomeland Security Jeh Johnson, the report’s author, praised Richardson as a dedicated advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion.

The NYS Bar Association is set to honor Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Richardson with the prestigious Ruth G. Schapiro Award on Friday, Jan. 20.<br>Photo courtesy of the New York State Unified Court System — The NYS Bar Association is set to honor Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Edwina Richardson with the prestigious Ruth G. Schapiro Award on Friday, Jan. 20.
Photo courtesy of the New York State Unified Court System

Her colleague, First Deputy Chief Administrative Judge Norman St. George, describes her as the “Titan of Justice” in the New York Court system.

Judge Edwina Richardson, appointed to the Court of Claims in 2017, concurrently serves in the Supreme Court Criminal Term, New York County, and previously presided over the Youth Part of the New York County Supreme Court. Her career began as a court attorney-referee in Queens County Family Court, followed by roles as a Brooklyn Family Court judge, Queens County Supervising Family Court judge, and later as administrative judge of all New York City Family Courts.

A CUNY Law School graduate with a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, Richardson also teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Hofstra Law School. She plays an active role in New York bar associations and court committees, focusing on professional development and justice service improvement, and frequently lectures nationwide on access to justice.

The Ruth G. Schapiro Award, named after the late, nationally regarded tax lawyer and first woman partner at Proskauer, honors attorneys for extraordinary service to the public and the profession. The award is part of NYSBA’s tradition of recognizing exemplary contributions during its annual meeting.

This year’s 147th Annual Meeting takes place from Jan. 16 to 20 includes the presidential summit that will focus on AI in the legal landscape and the Presidential Gala honoring former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson with the Gold Medal. The Justice for All Luncheon and the Constance Baker Motley Symposium and Diversity Awards Program are among other notable events.