Адвокатское сообщество Нью-Йорка отметит заслуги реформаторов системы защиты детей и нового партнера в сфере спортивных инвестиций

Welcome to The Docket, amNewYork Law’s weekly column focused on the movers and shakers in New York’s legal community. Leading NY child advocates to be honored by state bar The New York State Bar Association will honor two attorneys next month known for their work to reform the child welfare system. Christine Sabino Kiesel, a child welfare reform consultant and Dawne Mitchell, chief attorney for the Juvenile Rights Practice of the Legal Aid Society of New York City, will receive the Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare at 5 p.m. on Sept. 16 at the Bar Center in Albany. Kiesel fought for reforms in New York’s family courts that streamlined the process, provided judicial oversight and reduced delays in adoption cases. Her training programs have educated countless child welfare professionals, improving the system from the inside out. “Christine Kiesel constructed and launched New York’s ‘Better for Families’ initiative, which brought child welfare agencies and substance use services together to support the needs of children and their parents in our court system,” said New York State Bar Association President Taa Grays. “Nothing stops her. She is a force for innovation and reform in our state.” Mitchell, meanwhile, leads more than 300 attorneys and staff who represent 90% of children and youth involved in the New York City family courts. She helped end the use of prone restraints on children living in facilities run by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Mitchell successfully lobbied for the passage of legislation raising investigation standards for the State Central Register of Abuse and Maltreatment and ending the practice of anonymous abuse reporting, which can often be used as a weapon by opposing family members. One major victory for Mitchell and other advocates was the 2021 law prohibiting the use of shackles on juveniles appearing in Family Court. After years of advocacy, Mitchell, joined by her staff at the Legal Aid Society and a coalition of groups representing children, saw their efforts come to fruition. New York now joins 30 other states in banning the practice. “Dawne Mitchell’s leadership has produced life changing reforms for children and youth in our state. From raising the age when children are involved in a juvenile delinquency arrest to helping young people enforce court orders when transitioning out of foster care, Dawne Mitchell is looking out for our most vulnerable citizens,” Grays said. “The success of her reforms is a model for other states across the country.” Chief Judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York Rowan Wilson will deliver remarks at the Sept. 16 ceremony, following a welcome message by Grays. The awards will be presented by Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina Richardson and Statewide Coordinating Judge for Family Court Matters Richard Rivera. Norton Rose Fulbright boosts sports capital team Norton Rose Fulbright has brought on Steve Olenick as US head of sports capital and transactions with its New York office. He is also serving as the office’s head of private equity. A partner in the corporate, M&A and securities practice, Olenick advises private equity sponsors on complex transactions and is one of the market’s most active lawyers in sports deals. He also regularly represents athletes, celebrities and other ultra-high-net-worth individuals on business ventures, endorsements and sponsorship arrangements. “Steve is known for providing trusted counsel and sound commercial judgment on high-profile matters, bringing exactly the kind of perspective our clients seek in today’s active capital environment,” said Jeff Cody, Norton Rose Fulbright’s global and U.S. managing partner. “His sports experience further strengthens our position in one of the most dynamic corners of the market at a time of growing investor interest and deal activity.” Licensed in New York and Texas, Olenick earned his law degree from Northwestern University and his bachelor’s degree from Cornell University. “Norton Rose Fulbright’s commitment to private equity and sports, combined with its truly global platform, creates an exceptional environment for my practice and my clients,” Olenick said. “I’m excited about the opportunity to build on that platform and help clients navigate the increasingly sophisticated sports investment landscape.” New York court reporter recognized for meritorious service Laureen A. Christonikos, a court reporter for her own company, Clancy Court Reporting, recently received the distinction of being certified as a Registered Merit Reporter with the National Court Reporters Association (NCRA). Christonikos, who has been a court reporter for 38 years and lives in New City, received the honors for demonstrating an ability to produce a high-quality verbatim record. The NCRA says the distinction is a step forward in any court reporter’s career, acknowledging their decades of preparation and refinement in service to the legal profession. Some 1,620 court reporters across the country have the Registered Merit Reporter certification, according to the NCRA. RMRs are among the top stenographic court reporters in the profession and are often offered greater opportunities for challenging and lucrative job assignments. “You rise to the level of play – that’s what we’d say to our kids when they played competitive sports – and it’s how I was able to pass NCRA’s RMR skills test,” Christonikos said. “Daily practice alongside some of the best court reporters in the world really elevated my skills and confidence.” Christonikos is certified in the states of New Jersey, Texas, and Washington. Attention legal eagles! Have you promoted a new partner? Are you giving back in your communities? We want to know about it! Send us your good news by emailing [email protected] and you may be featured in our Docket every week.