Schuyler County Public Defender Commended

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Josette Colon, 2025 Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award Honoree

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (08/01/2025) (readMedia)-- For her work in transforming the Schuyler County Public Defender's Office into an entity equipped to protect clients' rights and obtain for them the best possible outcome, Josette Colon was honored Monday by the New York State Defenders Association (NYSDA). Colon received the 2025 Kevin M. Andersen Memorial Award on Monday during NYSDA's 58th Annual Meeting and Conference.

Colon took on the role of Public Defender in September 2023. As described in the letter nominating her for the award, Colon had "zero employees," so she was making all the office's appearances in "justice courts, county court, and family court," including after-hours arraignments. Colon also had meetings with state and county officials who could affect the office's funding and functions, and hired staff, adapting the office as it grew to five assistant attorneys, two secretaries, and one investigator. During this process, the nomination went on, Colon demonstrated "great character values, such as being honorable, resilient, ambitious, flexible," and "patient and compassionate" with clients and employees alike.

Assistant Public Defender H. William (Bill) Eisnaugle called Colon "an excellent leader" when discussing her award. He said she "has surrounded herself with staff and attorneys who clearly demonstrate dedicated teamwork." Assistant Public Defender Eliese R. Herzl-Betz described Colon as "the definition of being dedicated to the job." Colon uses "a clear knowledge of the law and facts to expertly negotiate with the DA's Office to get the best possible outcomes for her clients," Herzi-Betz said. As a leader, Herzi-Betz went on, Colon checks in with every employee to confirm "that they have the tools they need to succeed."

Another Assistant Public Defender expressing approval of Colon's award was Olivia Fontana. She first worked with Colon at the Chemung County Public Defender's Office, where Colon "demonstrated remarkable professionalism, patience, and compassion in her work." Fontana has worked for Colon in Schuyler County for a year and a half. Fontana said Colon "ensures our office has the resources necessary to provide high-quality representation, f[rom] advocating for a part-time investigator to securing county approval to use expert and mitigation specialist funds." Colon "approaches every challenge with professionalism and composure, and she has cultivated a drama-free, collaborative work environment," Fontana added. Confidential Secretary Bridgette Mattison attributes the positive work environment to the fact that Colon is "always energetic and upbeat in the office."

NYSDA's Executive Director Susan C. Bryant said: "We are pleased to honor Josette Colon, a newer defense leader who is committed to providing quality representation to clients. She has achieved so much over the past two years and is an inspiration to her defender colleagues around the state."

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.

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.