by Norma Schwartzberg
Now and then I came across to a unique events that remarkably caught my attention. On September 16th I covered this amazing, and humble awards ceremony which being modest does not take the fact it was remarkable. Abely Awards is one of the finest distinctions that rewards ProBono lawyers who are dedicated to helping and defending victims of domestic violence. Its name was chosen to honor Maryellen Abely, a pro bono attorney with Sanctuary for Families' Legal Center. She graduated from Columbia Law School, and she was an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP. Miss Abely believed in the human rights of survivors of domestic violence, she was able to understand the meaning of justice for all. As a female Miss Abely fully realizes the inevitable fact of gender discrimination and violence that is a reality in our society. Miss Abely is no longer with us since 1995 when she lost the battle against cancer, it was the only battle she lost. Sanctuary for Families is an organization that focuses on providing help, safety, and self-determination to survivors of domestic violence and related forms of gender violence. Its intelligent and professional leadership and staff members provide services that dramatically change its clients' lives and their children with the best tools available and the perfect fit for each case. Education is important and relevant so therefore staff members are dedicated to informing their clients about their legal rights, and all the possibilities they can have. The 27th Annual Abely Awards took place in Midtown Manhattan. Counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP Denis J. McInerney gave a warm welcome to all. The 2024 Abely Fellow Award was granted to Makayla Haussler, presented by Lynnise Pantin, Pritzker Pucker Family Clinical Professor of Transactional Law; Vice Dean for Experiential Education, Columbia Law School. Karen R. King, Partner at Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello PC, received The Abely Pro Bono Award, presented by Dorchen A. Leidholdt, The Theresa A. Havell Senior Director, CBWLS, Sanctuary for Families. Miss King has been handling important and relevant cases as well as difficult ones, however, one case was the center of her accomplished career a few years ago. Karen was involved in the case Golan vs Saada, Narkis Golan was a US citizen who was married to Isacco Saada an Italian citizen who was abusing Narkis and her son who back then was under five years old during the entire dispute which lasted several years. In 2018 Narkis attended a wedding with her son in the USA, her plan was not to return to Italy since she and her son were abused by her husband Isacco. Rather than return to Italy she and her son checked into a domestic violence shelter. As Isacco realized Narkis and his son would never go back to Italy voluntarily, he filed a petition with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York seeking an order to return her son (B.A.S.) to Italy. Under the Hague Convention. The young boy was born in Italy so he is an Italian citizen, this was one of many arguments the father made to bring his son back to Italy. The long custody battle lasted for several years and even made its way to the Supreme Court in March 2022. Karen was determined to keep B.A.S. In the USA since the risk of abuse by his father was overwhelming. During the process of fighting for the custody of the child, his father was able to get him to visit him. The child returned to the USA with bruises and high levels of stress proving that his father was indeed an abusive father and husband. In 2018 the boy, who was diagnosed with autism, was ordered to return to Italy three times, all of which Golan's lawyers, including Karen King, successfully appealed. Narkis Golan was found dead in her Brooklyn apartment in October 2022. According to the NYPD, the Brooklyn Distric Attorney Office investigation did not find any evidence of foul play or any criminality. Because of the nature of the case Golan's family was raising questions about her sudden death which officially was caused by a brain bleed. Narkis's sister Morin Golan took over the case and the custody of the child after her death. Since then after several supervised and non-supervised visits in Italy and the USA, the boy returned with bruises and he is not able to tell how those bruises got there, keeping in mind that the boy is autistic which makes it very difficult for him to communicate and express himself clearly. Following those visits, the boy was showing signs of deterioration and mental damage. Narkis Golan's son is now safe under the care of his ant Morin Golan. Whether Isacco continues fighting for the custody of the child or not Karen King made an important contribution to the wellbeing of B.A.S., winning the custody, and helping other survivors of domestic violence by never giving up on Ms. Golan and continuing fighting on her case. King not only did everything in her power to keep the child safe in good care but also supported Narkis Golan's initiative which provides valuable resources to advance the rights of domestic violence survivors in so-called "child abduction" cases in the USA. King holds a bachelor's degree from Yale University and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School.
The Honorable Madelina Singas was awarded the Abely Leading Women and Children to Safety Award, for her valuable contribution to protecting helpless and exposed victims of domestic violence as well as children, senior citizens, immigrants, and victims of sexual abuse. One of her accomplishments was to challenge the legal system to protect victims of domestic violence who didn't have any hope to succeed. When she joined the Nassau County Distric's Attorney office in 2006, Judge Singas had a plan under her sleeve. She created the Special Victims Bureau at which she was the absolute Chief, to assist victims of elder abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, and domestic violence. Her amazing work didn't stop there; she also created the first County's Office of Immigrant Affairs to aid immigrants by providing legal assistance and having access to the criminal justice protection laws. She became, by unanimous recognition, Nassau County District Attorney where she became one of the biggest supporters against gun violence. She has a strong determination to make things happen, being passionate to protect the gender violence survivors. Today she is an Associate Judge at the New York Court of Appeals and has presided over an impressive number of gender violence cases; she made sure to place them ahead with persuasive arguments using her experience in legal proceedings. Another of her achievements is the creation of Judges for Career Opportunities for Refugees (JCOR) , a helpful program to assist Afghan refugees especially women who have fled persecution by the Taliban. Judge Singas used everything in her power to provide them protection as well as open doors for a new career. She graduated from Columbia University and Fordham University School of Law. I am sure Judge Singas will announce another achievement soon; she is unstoppable. Michele O. Penzer, Partner, Latham & Watkins LLP and President of Sanctuary Board of Directors gave the closing remarks The lovely evening was a celebration of legal rights for all, a celebration of recognition to those who use their knowledge and power to help others and be the voice of the helpless. NYC 77 events wants to congratulate all the awardees, Pro Bono Lawyers around the globe, volunteers, advocates, and judges across the planet who believe in always doing the right thing by bringing justice when and where it is needed.
For more information about the content in this article, the Sanctuary for Families, please see below.
In Loving Memory of Narkis Golan
Advocating for Survivors Before the U.S. Supreme Court
Paul Weiss & Morvillo Abramowitz Team Achieve Groundbreaking Supreme Court Victory
Introducing The Narkis Golan International Child Abduction Initiative
Keys To A 9-0 High Court Win: Look For Common Ground NBC News: Family questions death of domestic violence victim whose case made it to Supreme Court following yearslong custody battle
JEZEBEL: Domestic Abuse Survivor Who Won Landmark Supreme Court Case Is Found Dead in Her Home
https://sanctuaryforfamilies.org/event/abelyawards/
Karen R. King
The Abely Pro Bono Award
The Abely Pro Bono Award
to
Karen R. King
Presented by
Dorchen A. Leidholdt
The Theresa A. Harvell Senior Director
CBWLS, Sanctuary for Families
Makayla Haussler
2024 Abely Felow
presented by
Lynnise Pantin
Pritzker Pucker Family Clinical Profesor of Transsactional
Law; Vice Dean for Experiential Education
Columbia Law School
The Hon. Madeline Singas
Associate Judge
New York Court of Appeals
The Abely Award for Leading Women and Children to Safety
presented by
The Hon. Judy Harris Kluger
Chief Executive Officer, Sanctuary for Families
Denis J. Mclnerney
Counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP
gave the welcome remarks
