- NYC Bar LAC Chair Gary Reing (right) presents award to Michael A. Cooper
The New York City Bar Association’s Lawyer Assistance Committee and Lawyer Assistance Program honored NYLAT Chair Michael A. Cooper at its Fourth Annual Volunteer Appreciation dinner held June 30. Mr. Cooper is of counsel to the lawfirm Sullivan & Cromwell.
Committee Chair Gary Reing, pictured right, with Michael Cooper, recognized Cooper’s efforts to have the Lawyer Assistance Program established during his tenure as NYC Bar President. LAP Director Eileen Travis thanked Mr. Cooper for his leadership and long-standing support during the ten years that the program has been serving the profession.
Mr. Cooper continues his interest and service as the Chair of the New York Lawyer Assistance Trust.
Current NYC Bar President Sam Seymour offered words of thanks to the Lawyer Assistance Committee members and staff, whose efforts have made a difference in so many lawyers’ lives since the program’s inception. He also recognized Mr. Cooper as a mentor, colleague, friend.
In receiving the award, Mr. Cooper noted that a motivating factor was the experience of losing a friend and colleague who had suffered with alcoholism. Subsequently, he enlisted the support of Justice Lerner, and together they advocated for the establishment of a lawyer assistance program by the City Bar, the “single accomplishment of my tenure, of which [I] am most proud,” commented Mr. Cooper.