Rick Kopstein, New York Law Journal
From left to right: McGregor Smyth, executive director of NYLPI; Don Liu, executive vice president, general counsel and secretary of Xerox Corporation; Carey Dunne, partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP; Lawrence Gresser, NYLPI board chair.
Carey R. Dunne of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Don H. Liu of Xerox Corporation honored for their dedication to public service
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI), a leading civil rights advocacy group for marginalized New Yorkers, honored Carey R. Dunne, Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, and Don H. Liu, Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Xerox Corporation, at the 2015 Law & Society Award Luncheon hosted at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel.
NYLPI’s annual Law & Society Award Luncheon is one of New York City’s premier legal events, honoring prominent members of the private bar for their exemplary commitment to public service. Celebrating its 22nd year, the Luncheon was attended by partners from the city’s major law firms, federal judges, and prominent members of the corporate law departments of Fortune 500 companies. All proceeds raised will support NYLPI’s efforts to advance civil rights and social justice for all New Yorkers. Past honorees include The Honorable Ruth Bader Ginsburg and The Honorable Mario M. Cuomo, as well as most recently Peter J. Beshar of Marsh & McLennan Companies and Andrew J. Levander of Dechert LLP.
“Systemic problems such as racial discrimination often demand innovative solutions from the legal community’s most talented attorneys. Pro bono work is a unique way to connect the industry’s accomplished leaders with those in dire need of legal assistance, and our Law & Society Award Luncheon is a chance to recognize those who dedicated their time and service to the pursuit of justice,” said McGregor Smyth, Executive Director of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest. “Carey and Don’s accomplishments speak for themselves, and I am humbled by their unyielding passion for public service and ethnic diversity.”
Carey R. Dunne, a Partner at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP and Chair of the firm’s White Collar Criminal Defense Group, is widely respected not only for his legal acumen as a top adviser and defense counsel, but also for his dedication to public service and pro bono. Mr. Dunne has practiced at Davis Polk for the last 27 years, after starting his career as a prosecutor in the office of Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau. He has served as the President of the New York City Bar Association and was appointed in 2007 by then-Chief Judge Judith Kaye as Chair of the Special Commission on the Future of the New York State Courts. In 2008, he received the John J. McCloy Award from the Fund for Modern Courts for outstanding contributions to the administration of justice in New York State. His pro bono work has also met great success. As lead counsel in the 2007 murder trial of Lonnie Jones, Mr. Dunne’s efforts led to a jury verdict of acquittal and Mr. Jones’ immediate release from prison, where he had been wrongfully held for five years. Mr. Dunne received his J.D. from Harvard Law School and his B.A. from Oberlin College.
“Pro bono has been an important part of my career at Davis Polk & Wardwell, and I am honored to be recognized by a pro bono leader like NYLPI and join esteemed colleagues who have been recognized in the past with the Law & Society Award,” said Mr. Dunne.
Don H. Liu is Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary for Xerox Corporation, where he oversees the company’s legal affairs including litigation and patent acquisition. He also manages governance and regulatory compliance for the board of directors and is responsible for corporate security, Xerox’s ethics program, the Xerox Foundation, government affairs, and public policy activities on domestic and international affairs. Prior to joining Xerox, Mr. Liu was Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Toll Brothers; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary for IKON Office Solutions; and Vice President and Deputy Chief Legal Officer for Aetna U.S. Healthcare. He also served as a Law Clerk to Justice Stewart G. Pollock at the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
His passion for promoting diversity in the practice of law is reflected in his affiliations with professional and nonprofit organizations including the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA), the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, and the Asian American Diversity Advisory Council for Comcast Corporation. He is the recipient of the Legacy Diversity Award by the American Bar Association’s Council on Legal Education Opportunity, MCCA/America Lawyer Media Diversity Award, the Justice in Action Award from the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the ICON Award from the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, the Achievement Award from Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey, and the Business Leadership Award from the Korean American Coalition. Mr. Liu received his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law where he was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and his B.A. from Haverford College.
Mr. Liu added, “Diversity is what makes New York a dynamic city, and I have been fortunate to work at offices that understand the importance of attracting talent from different backgrounds and giving back to the city through public service. Being recognized by NYLPI at the Law & Society Award Luncheon is an incredible honor, and I thank you for being a great resource for attorneys who share your passion for advancing the rights of all New Yorkers.”
About New York Lawyers for the Public Interest
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest (NYLPI) advances equality and civil rights, with a focus on health justice, disability rights and environmental justice, through the power of community lawyering and partnerships with the private bar. Through community lawyering, NYLPI puts its legal, policy and community organizing expertise at the service of New York City communities and individuals. NYLPI’s partnership with the private bar strengthens its advocacy and connects community groups and nonprofits with critical legal assistance. NYLPI is the recipient of The New York Community Trust Nonprofit Excellence Awards.
