PAST STATE BAR PRESIDENT M. CATHERINE RICHARDSON HONORED WITH BAR FOUNDATION'S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

ALBANY, NY (02/01/2016)(readMedia)-- The New York Bar Foundation has honored Past New York State Bar President Bar M. Catherine Richardson (1996–1997) with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

Richardson, who also served as president of The New York Bar Foundation (2009–2010) received the honor during the Bar Association's Annual Meeting in New York City January 29.

"Catherine was selected to receive The Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership within and continued commitment to the law profession and The New York Bar Foundation," said John H. Gross, president of The New York Bar Foundation. "Catherine's vision of what The Foundation could be and implementation of a strategic planning process was crucial to guiding us to where we are today."

Richardson, now retired, spent her entire legal career at Bond Schoeneck & King in Syracuse. She assisted hospitals in mergers and consolidations and advised medical centers on corporate and medical staff bylaws, credentialing of medical staff and allied health professionals, investigations of Article 28 deficiencies and contracts between health care providers and consumers.

Additionally, she worked on the formation and certification of an HMO and regularly advised insurance companies and HMOs regarding New York State Insurance Law and Public Health Law.

A graduate of the State University of New York at Oswego, Richardson was awarded degrees from the University of Northern Colorado, Syracuse University College of Law and State University of New York.

The Lifetime Achievement Award honors former officers or directors of the Foundation. The honoree's service and leadership must have significantly advanced the purposes of the Foundation. In addition, the honoree's service as an officer or director and reputation as a lawyer and bar leader must have brought significant recognition and acclaim to the Foundation.

Past recipients include Maryann Saccomando Freedman of Buffalo, Robert MacCrate of New York) and Justin L. Vigdor of Rochester. All served as president of The New York Bar Foundation and the New York State Bar Association.

Founded in 1950, The New York Bar Foundation provides funding through its grant-making program to increase public understanding of the law; improve the justice system and the law; facilitate the delivery of legal services; and enhance professional competence and ethics.

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

-30-