Every Child Deserves a Fierce Advocate: LFC’s 3rd Annual Pro Bono Awards Breakfast
On October 13, 2026, Lawyers For Children (LFC) hosted its 3rd Annual Pro Bono Awards Breakfast at the New York City Bar Association sponsored by Loeb & Loeb LLP, celebrating the attorneys who dedicate their time and talent to advocating for vulnerable children and young people.
This year, LFC was proud to recognize five outstanding attorneys for their pro bono service:
William Silverman, Pro Bono Partner, Proskauer Rose LLP, who received the Seth Gelblum Honorary Award
Rishi Zutshi, Partner, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Isabella Riishojgaard, Associate, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP
Rene Kathawala, Pro Bono Counsel, Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
Chloe Gordils, Associate, Loeb & Loeb LLP
Their contributions reflect the essential role of pro bono partnerships in LFC’s work: bringing additional expertise and resources to complex cases, protecting children’s rights, and helping ensure that young people’s voices and wishes are heard.
“Your pro bono work with LFC doesn’t just fulfill the need for a brief or a motion, it transforms lives--whether it is a 4-year-old separated from their family, or a just-turned 18-year-old brother trying desperately to care for his sibling after the death of a parent, or securing the future of a young person fleeing violence to build a life in our city. You are making a critical difference in their lives’ trajectories,” said LFC Executive Director Glenn Metsch-Ampel.
The breakfast featured keynote speaker William Silverman, who leads Proskauer’s global pro bono efforts. His longstanding commitment to access to justice includes serving as lead counsel in the successful New York State Court of Appeals challenge to the state’s “Host Homes” regulations—a significant victory for children’s rights. Silverman detailed the 5-year fight to stop a proposed shadow foster care program, and how the fight for the independent rights of children from adults is one that cannot be taken for granted.
Rene Kathawala of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe called Family Court “the most important court,” noting that “we need a commitment from the private bar to make the system better.”
LFC’s Director of Appellate Advocacy Shirim Nothenberg acknowledged the work of Rishi Zutshi and Isabella Riishojgaard of Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton on a particularly challenging custody case which prevailed on appeal thanks to their persuasive brief, saying that their zealous advocacy ultimately helped our client’s voice to be heard. “That’s really what we do this for. We want to make sure children’s voices are heard in these contentious proceedings,” Nothenberg said.
In attendance at the awards breakfast were NY City Bar Executive Director Brett Parker, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Office for Justice Initiatives, the Honorable Judge Edwina Richardson, and City Council SIJS Initiative ICARE Executive Director Sierra Kraft.
We are deeply grateful to our honorees, Loeb & Loeb, and everyone who joined us to celebrate these partnerships. Together, we help ensure that children have dedicated advocates, meaningful support, and a say in the decisions that affect their futures.
To learn more about partnering with LFC or supporting our pro bono work, you can contact Dyane McMahon at dmcmahon@lawyersforchildren.org. Firms and attorneys interested in pursuing pro bono opportunities, can reach out to Katrina James at kjames@lawyersforchildren.org. LFC’s 4th Annual Pro Bono Awards Breakfast will be held on November 4, 2027 at the City Bar.
