NYSDA Honors Ontario County Assistant Public Defender

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Assistant Public Defender Mollie Dapolito (left), Ontario County Public Defender’s Office, a 2024 Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award recipient, with NYSDA VDP Director Nancy Farrell

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (07/25/2024) (readMedia)-- The New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA) honored Assistant Public Defender Mollie A. Dapolito of the Ontario County Public Defender's Office with a 2024 Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award on July 22nd at NYSDA's 57th Annual Meeting and Conference.

Dapolito was described by Nancy J. Farrell, Director of NYSDA's Veterans Defense Program, who previously worked as an Assistant Public Defender in Ontario County, as an attorney whose "calm frankness and skill to think on her feet ... makes her well liked, but more importantly, respected by her clients, colleagues, opposing counsel, and the judiciary." Farrell also said, "I became a better attorney because of Mollie," who is "an example of what it means to not skip corners, to work hard, to research, and to learn, in every case every time."

Assistant Defender Delton Caraway said that "Mollie works tirelessly for her clients, ... investigates every case and fights for her clients' rights both in and out of court, ... and is never afraid to speak up when her clients are being treated with anything less than the dignity they deserve." Farrell similarly observed that "Mollie speaks up to judges and DAs and even her own colleagues if she hears racist or homophobic remarks. She maintains a an even but stern demeanor when she is making it clear that certain language and derogatory terms are not going to be directed at her client."

While Dapolito "isn't the attorney who is touting her successes and victories," but rather "shares with those close to her and then she is back" to work for the next client, her "stellar reputation has been noticed by many and private practitioners have tried to woo her away from the public defense world, but her commitment to the underserved communities is unwavering," Farrell said in support of Dapolito receiving the award. "Mollie does not let her ego drive the bus in her work, she leans on those with expertise in specific areas, she works well with investigators and social workers to achieve the best outcome possible for her clients."

Leanne Lapp, Public Defender, said that Mollie Dapolito "truly exemplifies Kevin Anderson's values of caring, compassionate representation, which she always delivers in a zealous manner." The Kevin M. Andersen Memorial 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 the hallmarks of its namesake, a lawyer at the Genesee County Public Defender's Office.

Dapolito started her legal career with Legal Assistance of Western New York (LawNY), and now sits on its board. This background and connection help inform her client-centered work.

NYSDA is a not-for-profit membership organization that provides support to lawyers and programs who provide legal representation to people who cannot afford to hire an attorney in criminal or certain family court matters. The Association receives State funding to provide training, publications, and other services to public defense attorneys. NYSDA's mission is to improve the quality and scope of publicly supported legal representation.