Essex County Assistant Public Defender Lauded by Statewide Defender Association

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Essex County Public Defender Emily Evatt presents NYSDA's 2023 Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award to Eric T. Weyand, Assistant Public Defender

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (08/10/2023) (readMedia)-- Essex County Assistant Public Defender Eric T. Weyand received the Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award during the Annual Awards Banquet of the New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) on July 31st. The letter by Essex County Public Defender Emily L. Evatt nominating Weyand lauded his "tireless pursuit of justice, compassion toward his clients and unmatched work ethic."

Weyand began at the office as a recent law graduate able to practice only under a "student practice order" from the Appellate Division, Evatt wrote, and demonstrated passion and enthusiasm from the start. He "made the best of his time shadowing senior attorneys and learning how to practice criminal defense in the numerous justice courts," she added, putting in the necessary hours and performing his tasks "at the level of a seasoned attorney." Evatt also noted that in his five years at the office, Weyand's "stellar motion practice and legal writing skills ... have resulted in numerous favorable outcomes for his clients."

Evatt said that Weyand "is an engaged and empathetic listener who truly takes the time to hear his clients['] concerns and always tries to address them with respect and dignity." NYSDA Executive Director Susan C. Bryant remarked, "we like to think that Eric honed his listening abilities and client-centered practice during his participation at NYSDA's 2019 Basic Trial Skills Program, where we stress those attributes." BTSP also encourages attorneys to, as Evatt said Weyand had, develop their "own distinctive practice style."

Less than a year after BTSP, Weyand "truly set himself apart as an exceptional young attorney during the COVID-19 pandemic," Evatt wrote in the nomination letter. Weyand became "essential to keeping the office running smoothly" and made "sure that his clients still received their due process under immensely dire conditions." Evatt stated that her office "is truly lucky to have him."

The Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award originated in the Genesee County Public Defender's Office in 2005. It is named for a member of the legal staff there, who died at age 49 from cancer; he was known for the will to fight ferociously for his clients and the compassion to grant them the dignity they deserved. The award is presented to an attorney who has been in practice less than fifteen years, who practices in public defense, and who exemplifies the sense of justice, determination, and compassion that were Kevin's hallmarks. The award has always been open to nominees from across the state and presented during NYSDA's Annual Conference. This year, selection of recipients was transferred to NYSDA.

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