On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) recognized three firm attorneys for achievements in connection with their pro bono work.

Shelley Attadgie was recognized for her work related to the State Central Registry (SCR) Project. Ms. Attadgie represented a client in connection with a petition to amend and seal a report entered against them in the SCR by the Administration for Children's Services. Ms. Attadgie prepared the client for his hearing testimony before an Administrative Law Judge, drafted and collected supporting evidence, cross-examined the Agency’s witness, and assisted the client with his direct testimony. Following the two-day hearing, the finding of maltreatment was amended to unfounded and sealed, removing a significant barrier that had impacted the client and their family.

Tiffany Li was recognized for her work on the Access-A-Ride program, New York City’s paratransit service. Ms. Li represented a client with significant disabilities limiting their mobility who was denied eligibility in their initial application and only granted eligibility under restricted conditions after an appeal to the Eligibility Appeals Board. Ms. Li appealed to the New York Supreme Court via an Article 78 proceeding, submitting a memorandum of law and supporting affidavits and exhibits to explain how the client’s serious medical conditions lead to dizziness, shortness of breath, and inability to walk for more than half a block or to use the public transit system. Due to the compelling nature of the written submissions, the City agreed to consent to the petition and to grant the client full access to Access-A-Ride, effective immediately and for the next five years.

Diane Xu was recognized for her work with the Veteran Discharge Upgrade program. Ms. Xu helped a veteran client who had served admirably for more than two and a half years, including a deployment to Iraq, obtain an upgrade to their discharge characterization after they were discharged for misconduct shortly after returning from deployment with PTSD symptoms caused by military trauma. After submitting detailed briefing and a forensic evaluator report describing the client’s traumatic experiences and post-service accomplishments, the Board voted 3-0 to upgrade the client’s discharge characterization from “General (Under Honorable Conditions)” to “Honorable.” The upgrade will allow the client to access additional benefits related to their service, including educational opportunities.