New York, New York (Press Release) — The American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ) will present its 2018 Pursuit of Justice Awards on December 10 to the Honorable Robert Abrams, who served as New York State Attorney General for 15 years, and Bal Harbour Mayor Gabriel Groisman, at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Shearith Israel.
Robert Abrams and Gabriel Groisman join distinguished lawyers and judges who have previously received the AAJLJ’s award, including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Aharon Barak (of the Supreme Court of Israel), Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman, former Chief Judge of the State of New York Judith Kaye, and former U.S. Solicitor General Seth Waxman. The award is presented by the AAJLJ to attorneys, judges, and law professors, who share the AAJLJ’s commitment to justice and human rights.
Robert Abrams is notable among the New York legal community for his remarkable 28-year career in public service. He was elected to three terms in the New York State Assembly, three terms as Borough President of the Bronx, and four terms as Attorney General of New York State. As Attorney General, Bob became a leader among Attorneys General, serving as President of the National Association of Attorneys General. The Justice Building on the Albany Mall was renamed “The Robert Abrams Building for Law and Justice” in recognition of his outstanding service to the people of New York State. Abrams currently serves as a Partner at one of the largest law firms, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP. The award will be presented to Mr. Abrams by Hon. Joseph Lieberman, who served as a United States Senator from Connecticut from 1989 to 2013.
Gabriel Groisman is a lawyer, writer, speaker, and the Mayor of Bal Harbour, Florida. Mayor Groisman wrote and passed the nation’s first municipal anti-BDS ordinance in December 2015, to fight against the fast-growing trend of anti-Semitism across the nation. As a result, he was invited to present at the United Nations at the Italian Parliament’s conference against anti-Semitism, the Israeli Parliament, and an international conference against anti-Semitism in Jerusalem. He also was the first mayor in the nation to codify a uniform definition of anti-
Semitism in December 2017. Groisman is the Founding Partner of the law firm of Groisman Law, PLLC.
The American Association of Jewish Lawyers & Jurists (AAJLJ) is a national nonprofit association representing the American Jewish legal community. As a voluntary bar association, AAJLJ engages with legal issues that have an impact on the Jewish and broader world through the lens of Jewish values and tradition. The AAJLJ educates and advocates around critical issues such as: civil rights, human rights, access to justice, social justice, Israel and the Rule of Law, Holocaust issues, and Jewish Law.
To purchase tickets to the dinner and ceremony, visit www.aajlj.org or contact Alyssa Grzesh at alyssagrzesh@aajlj.org.