Hartsdale Attorney Honored for Pro Bono Efforts

Three Westchester attorneys-- David A. Sausen, Robert H. Hermann and Eric C. Woglom-- have been individually honored with the New York State Bar Association’s 2014 President’s Pro Bono Service Award for their volunteer legal work in the community.

The attorneys are among 18 recipients from across New York to be recognized for outstanding pro bono work done in 2013. The awards were presented on April 30 at the State Bar Center in Albany by State Bar President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) and President-elect Glenn Lau-Kee of Manhattan (Kee & Lau-Kee).

“Pro bono service is one of the proudest traditions of the legal profession. Each year, attorneys give generously of themselves to change someone’s life for the better,” said Schraver. “We are pleased to recognize an outstanding group of recipients. They truly do the public good.”

David A. Sausen of Rye Brook (Kaye Scholer, New York City), was honored for his extensive pro bono work advising nonprofit organizations on compliance, operational and tax issues. During 2013, Sausen advised more than 20 different organizations across various fields including charter schools in New York City; the Harlem Family Institute, which treats children with psychological problems in free clinics; GiGi’s Playhouse, a community center specifically designed to support individuals with Down syndrome and their families; and the Trans Justice Funding Project, a community funding initiative supporting grassroots groups run by and for transgendered people. His pro bono work also has benefited organizations that serve the poor around the globe. 

Robert H. Hermann of Hartsdale (DelBello Donnellan Weingarten Wise & Wiederkehr, White Plains), was honored for his extensive pro bono volunteer work with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley.  He is co-counsel on an important federal lawsuit alleging that HUD and New York State Homes and Community Renewal allowed low-income and disabled residents at a Yonkers housing project to be threatened with eviction after their landlord charged them exorbitant and legally questionable electrical rates. He also serves as a role model and mentor to Legal Services staff attorneys, sharing with them his vast knowledge of litigation strategies and negotiation tactics.

Retired patent attorney Eric C. Woglom, of Harrison, was recognized for his pro bono work with Bronx CLARO (Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office) where he has been volunteering since 2011. Sponsored by the Bronx County Bar Association, Fordham Law School and the New York City Bar, the Bronx CLARO program conducts weekly clinics where he provides assistance on consumer debt collection issues for unrepresented consumers facing lawsuits. He distinguished himself in dealing with complex cases: conducting extensive independent research, pursuing advice from consumer law experts, and helping litigants step-by-step to navigate the court process to more effectively assert their rights and defenses.

The 75,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.