Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP was honored for its commitment to pro bono work by the Northside Center for Child Development at the 2008 Northside Awards Gala on May 8 at Cipriani’s Wall Street. Founded in 1946 by Drs. Kenneth and Mamie Clark, the first and second African-Americans to receive doctorates in psychology from Columbia University, whose pioneering studies on the effects of segregation on Black Children's self-esteem contributed to the Supreme Court's decision in Brown v. Board of Education, the Northside Center now provides a full range of hands-on services to more than 1,800 at-risk children and their families in east and central Harlem.
Kramer Levin has had a long-standing relationship with the Center, including serving as legal counsel in a variety of real estate, employment, and litigation matters, on a pro bono and reduced fee basis. Partner Gregory Horowitz has been a member of its Board of Directors since 2006.
“We are very pleased by the Center’s recognition of our pro bono efforts,” said Paul Pearlman, Kramer Levin’s managing partner. “The firm views pro bono work as a duty and an honor and looks forward to continuing our close relationship with such an important organization.”
Kramer Levin has a rich history of involvement in public and community service. Routinely ranked among the top law firms working in the pro bono field, the firm has won numerous awards in this area including the 2007 John Minor Wisdom Public Service and Professionalism Award, the 2006 National Law Journal Pro Bono Award, and the Legal Aid Society’s Exceptional Pro Bono Publico and Public Service Law Firm Award for 2000.
Northside Center fosters the healthy development of children and families and seeks to empower them to respond constructively to negative societal factors including racism and deprivation. Through comprehensive, high quality mental health and educational services, coupled with research, children and families are aided in developing to their full potential.