NYLPI’s annual Felix A. Fishman Awards Luncheon honors two individuals for their outstanding contributions to expanding access to justice. Our 15th Annual Felix A. Fishman Awards Luncheon took place on November 16, 2017 at the House of the Association of the New York City Bar.
About Felix Fishman 
Felix A. Fishman’s deep commitment to helping others, his expertise as a lawyer, and his wonderful and heartwarming sense of humor earned him the respect and affection of those who knew him. Mr. Fishman, a graduate of City College and Columbia Law School, practiced at the law firm of Moses & Singer for sixty-five years. His impressive tenure at the firm included serving as legal counsel for Bankers Trust Company and L.F. Rothschild & Co., among others. During his accomplished career, Mr. Fishman established himself as a talented trusts and estates lawyer and, more importantly, as a lawyer whose work was guided by an unerring moral compass. For Mr. Fishman, a staunch believer in progressive ethical ideals, the capacity to care for others was the true barometer of a successful lawyer.For 31 years, Mr. Fishman also served as a trustee and director of the Henry & Lucy Moses Fund, where he was instrumental in directing hundreds of millions of dollars of support to medical, educational, and other charitable organizations in the New York area.
New York Lawyers for the Public Interest is grateful to the Henry & Lucy Moses Fund for endowing these awards in honor of Felix A. Fishman, who shared our dedication to using the law in service of others. This year, NYLPI is proud to honor Bernard J. Carabello, Self-Advocacy Pioneer for Individuals with Intellectual and other Developmental Disabilities, and Eric A. Goldstein, New York City Environment Director and Senior Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council.
Past Honorees:
| 2017 | Bernard J. Carabello, Founder, Self-Advocacy Association of New York State for his remarkable leadership in self-advocacy and his unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of New Yorkers with disabilities |
| Eric A. Goldstein, New York City Environment Director & Senior Staff Attorney, NRDC his unwavering dedication to creating a sustainable and equitable New York City |
| 2016 | Sean T. Campbell, President, Teamsters Local Union No. 813 for his steadfast commitment to protecting the safety and health of his fellow workers and all New Yorkers |
| Amy Taylor, Legal Director, Make the Road New York for her unwavering dedication to social reform, equal justice, and language access in New York City |
| 2015 | Dr. George Coritsidis & Dr. Ellena Linden, Elmhurst Hospital Center for their innovative leadership improving the health of New York’s immigrant communities |
| Jennifer J. “JJ” Parish, Director of Criminal Justice Advocacy at the Urban Justice Center Mental Health Project, for her tireless dedication to the health and independence of all New Yorkers |
| 2014 | Nisha Agarwal, Commissioner, NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, for her leadership in the fight for social justice in New York City’s immigrant communities |
| South Bronx Unite for its pursuit of equality and environmental justice throughout the South Bronx |
|
| 2013 | Steven Choi, Executive Director, The New York Immigration Coalition for his outstanding advocacy on behalf of New York City’s immigrant communities |
| Jonathan Westin, Executive Director, New York Communities for Change for his outstanding dedication to improving the lives of New York City’s underserved communities |
|
| 2012 | Marilyn Saviola, VP, Advocacy & the Women’s Health Access Program at Independence Care System for her extraordinary leadership in advancing the independence of individuals with disabilities |
| Carolyn Silver, Director of the Legal Advocacy & Organizing Department of Lenox Hill Neighborhood House for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of New York’s underserved communities |
|
| 2011 | Valerie Bogart, Director, Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program at Selfhelp Community Services, Inc. for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of low-income seniors and people with disabilities |
| Theo Oshiro, Director of Health Advocacy and Support Services, Make the Road New York for his exceptional advocacy on behalf of immigrant communities in New York City |
|
| 2010 | Eddie Bautista, Executive Director, New York City Environmental Justice Alliance for his outstanding leadership in advancing environmental justice |
| Kim Sweet, Executive Director, Advocates for Children of New York for her exceptional commitment to equal educational opportunities for all children |
|
| 2009 | Dr. Neil Calman, President and a Co-Founder of the Institute for Family Health for his inspiring commitment to access to healthcare for all |
| Cliff Zucker, Executive Director of Disability Advocates, Inc. for his extraordinary advocacy on behalf of people with disabilities |
|
| 2008 | Helene Craner, Associate Director of Resources for Children with Special Needs for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of children with special needs |
| Sarah Ludwig, Co-Director of Neighborhood Economic Development Advocacy Project for her exceptional service on behalf of low-income communities |
|
| 2007 | Mary McKinney, Chair of the Concerned Residents Organization for her outstanding leadership in seeking justice for her community |
| Raun Rasmussen, Chief of Litigation and Advocacy of Legal Services NYC for his unwavering commitment to ensuring access to justice for all |
|
| 2006 | Juan Cartagena, General Counsel of the Community Service Society for his unwavering commitment to the defense of civil rights |
| Ngozi Moses, Founding Executive Director of the Brooklyn Perinatal Network, Inc. for her outstanding advocacy to improve health care for women and infants |
|
| 2005 | Gregory Williams, President of The City College of New York for his outstanding leadership in the struggle for racial equality |
| Maya Rodriguez, District 75 Inclusion Coach for her outstanding advocacy on behalf of children with disabilities |
|
| 2004 | Stanley Nelson, documentary filmmaker and Executive Director of Firelight Media for using film to further the cause of social justice |
| Eva Paterson, Executive Director of the Equal Justice Society in recognition of her leadership and deep commitment to social justice and civil rights |
|
| 2003 | Rita Martin, Executive Director of the Consumer Advisory Board for her strong advocacy on behalf of people with developmental disabilities |
| Herbert Semmel for his dedication to public service and deep commitment to the promise of ensuring civil rights for all |