JUDGE HONORED BY NEW YORK STATE BAR ASSOCIATION FOR DEDICATION TO JUDICIAL EXCELLENCE AND DIVERSITY

ALBANY, NY (02/01/2016)(readMedia)-- The New York State Bar Association has honored Judge Edwina G. Richardson-Mendelson for her dedication to judicial excellence and diversity on the bench. Mendelson received the Award for Advancement of Judicial Diversity January 29 in New York City during the State Bar's Judicial Section Luncheon.

"Throughout her career, Judge Richardson-Mendelson has mentored and encouraged countless men and women of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to consider a judicial career," said John F. O'Donnell, presiding member of the Judicial Section. "She has continued to assist and guide those who have followed her."

Richardson-Mendelson was appointed to the New York City Family Court bench by Mayor Michael Bloomberg in January 2003, and reappointed by Mayor Bill deBlasio in October 2014.

Richardson-Mendelson previously served as a trial judge and later a supervising judge in Queens County Family Court. She then was promoted to administrative judge in charge of all New York City family courts.

Early in her career, Richardson-Mendelson served as the first staff attorney for the Sanctuary for Families Center for Battered Women's Legal Services. She also was an attorney with The Legal Aid Society, Bronx County Civil Division, where she represented indigent clients in Housing Court and in benefits entitlement proceedings.

Richardson-Mendelson obtained a degree in urban legal studies from the City College of New York and her law degree from the City University of New York Law School, Queens College. She earned a master of philosophy degree in criminal justice and a Ph.D. in criminal justice from the City University of New York Graduate Center.

The 74,000-member New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. It was founded in 1876.

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