Rochester, New York, September 4, 2024 – Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, a full-service business law firm with offices throughout New York, announced that Sheldon K. Smith, a partner in the firms Litigation practice, and Kristian D. Walker, an associate in the firm’s Health Care practice have been awarded a Pro Bono Award by the United States District Court Western District of New York.
The award recognizes exceptional contributions to pro bono legal services that extend far beyond the recipient’s professional duties. Smith, Walker, and others on their team are being honored specifically for their work in handling and settling (shortly before trial and during expert discovery) a long-standing prisoner’s rights case. Their tireless and strategic efforts secured a $250,000 settlement for the client, Andre Brown, and his family. The team feels privileged to have represented Mr. Brown, a remarkable person who alleged that he was assaulted by officers at Attica while serving a 40-year sentence. Mr. Brown, who always maintained his innocence, was released from prison during the civil rights case after his conviction was vacated through the work of a different group of very-skilled innocence attorneys. The team thanks Amanda G. Williams (WDNY ADR/Pro Bono Program Administrator) for her incredible mediation work in resolving the case.
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP has a long-standing commitment to pro bono service. The firm encourages its attorneys to engage in pro bono work and provides them with up to 50 hours of billable credit for authorized pro bono services.
Smith handles complex and often high-profile business disputes, helping clients efficiently resolve contract, valuation, property, and tort matters inside and outside the courtroom. He regularly counsels financial institutions, health care providers, manufacturers, energy companies, real estate developers, and municipalities. Smith earned a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University at Buffalo Law School and a B.S. from SUNY Buffalo.
In her practice, Walker provides counsel to health care providers, hospitals, physician practices, nursing homes, and other health care facilities on operational and governance matters, including professional licensure and misconduct issues, patient-related issues, medical staff issues, and psychiatric commitment issues. She also assists health care entities with regulatory and compliance matters concerning corporate compliance, HIPAA, fraud and abuse, and the implementation of internal compliance programs.
Walker received a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law, cum laude, an M.S. from Syracuse University, and a B.S. from Cornell University.
About Harter Secrest & Emery LLP
Harter Secrest & Emery LLP is a full-service business law firm with attorneys throughout New York representing clients ranging from individuals and family-owned businesses to Fortune 100 companies and major regional institutions. With offices in Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, Corning, and New York City, New York, the firm and its attorneys are consistently recognized by the industry’s leading law firm and attorney ranking programs, including Chambers and Partners, Best Law Firms® and The Best Lawyers in America®.