Lawyers Alliance for New York honored Manatt's Michael Lehmann, a partner in the firm's Tax, Employee Benefits & Global Compensation Practice, and James Walsh, a counsel in the Government & Regulatory Division, with the organization's 2013 Cornerstone Award for their help advocating revisions to New York State's Not-for-Profit Corporations Law (NPCL).
The award, presented on November 6, recognizes Lehmann and Walsh's successful work advocating on behalf of Lawyers Alliance in connection with the New York legislature's revision of the NPCL, which has not been revised in forty years. Lehmann and Walsh helped Lawyers Alliance make the case for amendments to the law to enable small, community-based organizations to operate more efficiently. Under the current law, Lawyers Alliance clients and other nonprofits function under many constraints that delay or add expenses to operations. The legislature passed a comprehensive reform bill in June 2013 that is currently waiting to be signed by the Governor.
"Jim and Michael's deep knowledge of the legislative process, combined with their invaluable strategic insights, were essential in encouraging Lawyers Alliance to have a strong voice on behalf of its clients," said Sean Delany, executive director of Lawyers Alliance for New York. "The legislature's passage of a strong reform bill is a real testament to their work."
Since 1997 Lawyers Alliance for New York has presented its Cornerstone Awards annually to a select group of individuals and institutions that have made extraordinary contributions through pro bono legal services. These services help nonprofits to address critical human needs and improve the quality of life for thousands of low-income New Yorkers.