Leadership

Embracing Diversity

Throughout her career, Rebecca has tirelessly dedicated time to civic and professional charitable, public interest and pro-bono causes. Through her numerous elected and appointed positions, she has enabled and effectuated great change. Those causes include service on the board of the Brooklyn Bar Association and subsequent election to the Presidency, appointment to the Grievance Committee of the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts, election to the House of Delegates of the American Bar Association, Election to the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association and appointment as a certified Small Claims Arbitrator for the Civil Court, City of New York.

Rebecca proudly served as the President of the Brooklyn Bar Association and Foundation. This incredible achievement was the culmination of her twelve years of esteemed service on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Bar Association/Foundation. Rebecca’s path the to Brooklyn Bar Presidency began when she was nominated to the Board.

This nomination was followed by an election to the Board by the entire membership of the Association. She was subsequently nominated for and elected to the Executive Board by the membership to serve as Treasurer of the Association and Foundation. Thereafter she was elected and served as Secretary, Second Vice President, First Vice President, and President Elect of the Association/ Foundation.

Eventually, Rebecca’s service was rewarded and recognized by her nomination and election as President of the Brooklyn Bar Association/ Foundation.

In this highly prestigious position, Rebecca had the privilege and the great responsibility of representing her constituency on a City, State and National level. As Bar President, Rebecca interfaced daily with political figures, elected officials, lobbyists, judges and attorneys to effect beneficial change on national and statewide legislation and policy modifications. While she was Bar President, Rebecca was elected to serve on the House of Delegates at the New York State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She also proudly served on the Board of Directors of the Brooklyn Volunteer Lawyers Project which provides pro bono quality legal services for the indigent.

Rebecca’s work as a bar leader has always been highlighted by her longstanding personal commitment to diversity, equality and aiding the underprivileged. Rebecca has always advocated inclusiveness, equal representation and giving a voice to those without means. To achieve her goals and accomplish her agenda, Rebecca met with a great number of diversity groups, District Attorneys, Borough Presidents, civic leaders, council members and corporate groups to promote her agenda of diversity and inclusion.

One of her proudest accomplishments during her tenure was the establishment of an endowment scholarship for deserving law students in the name of her friend and mentor, the late Theodore T. Jones, Jr., Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals. The Theodore T. Jones Jr. Memorial Scholarship Fund has been a resounding success.

Rebecca’s bar leadership work has also provided her the opportunity to bring her diversity and equality agenda to other professions and fields. As a highly accomplished litigator and well-respected bar leader, Rebecca is often asked to serve on advisory committees and corporate/not-for-profit boards of numerous organizations. In this capacity, Rebecca has had the opportunity to further her work in the field of pro bono issues, diversity, equality and inclusiveness.

Rebecca served proudly as an appointed member to the New York State Grievance Committee for the Second and Eleventh Judicial Districts. This committee is charged with reviewing the ethical conduct of attorneys and voting in the appropriate recemmendation of disciplinary action. Rebecca was appointed to this highly prestigious position by the Honorable A. Gail Prudenti, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division of the Second Department based on her reputation as an accomplished litigator and respected member of the legal community in New York State.

In addition to all of these Volunteer positions, Rebecca proudly serves her community as an appointed and certified member of the Association of Arbitrators of the Civil Court of the City of New York. In this capacity, she judges small claims cases within the five boroughs.

Rebecca has received numerous awards over her career, including the prestigious Flor de Maga award from the Puerto Rican Bar Association and the inaugural Vivian Egress Trailblazer Award from the BBA/BBAF.