New York Law Journal Honors Karen Freedman’s Lifetime of Advocacy

New York Law Journal Honors Karen Freedman’s Lifetime of Advocacy

“Every child who comes before the court in a time of crisis deserves to be heard, empowered, and protected.” 

We are thrilled to share that Karen Freedman, Founder and President of Lawyers For Children, received the New York Law Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing a career of lasting impact on the legal profession. The award was presented at the Ziegfeld Ballroom on September 4, 2025. 

In accepting her award, Karen reflected on the honor with humility:

“Receiving a lifetime achievement award is both humbling and sobering — because the truth is, there is still so much more work to be done, especially for those who, like the children we serve, can so easily be relegated to the shadows of the justice system.”

Karen emphasized that this recognition belongs to the entire Lawyers For Children team:

“This award is not just about me. It belongs to my extraordinary colleagues — our Executive Director, Glenn Metsch Ampel, and the 63 attorneys, social workers, and staff who show up every day with fierce dedication and compassion. They are the reason children are not alone in family court. They turn advocacy into impact — ensuring that children’s rights are not just promised, but protected.”

Since founding Lawyers For Children over forty years ago, Karen reflected on the organization’s vast legacy of legal and social work advocacy that has benefited more than 100,000 young people:

“Each case is not a file or a statistic — it is a child. Their resilience, determination, and courage remind me every day why this work must never stop.”

In these times, Karen also highlighted the broader importance of due process:

“At this critical moment, we must safeguard due process for all people whose rights are at risk of being eroded — and who might otherwise be silenced if not for their day in court. Because at the end of the day, justice means nothing if the most vulnerable among us cannot be heard.”

Former Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman and New York’s Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Justice Initiatives Edwina Richardson nominated Karen for the award. In her remarks, Karen thanked them, acknowledging that, “their vision, leadership, and lifelong commitment to justice have inspired me since the earliest days of my career.” Judge Richardson joined Karen at the awards. 

In his nomination, Judge Lippman wrote, “Freedman has been one of the most highly regarded champions of children’s rights in New York and throughout the country. In my nearly 50 years in the New York State Court System, including as chief judge, I have not met a more tireless advocate than Freedman for children.. I can think of few organizations as innovative and effective as the organization Freedman founded.”

Karen also thanked her family for their support:

“My deepest thanks to my husband Roger, to my children Allison, Daniel, and Liza, and to my sisters Nina and Susan, whose strength, support, and moral courage inspire everything I do.”

We are honored to celebrate Karen’s leadership and grateful to our family of supporters for making this vital work possible. Together, we ensure that every child’s voice is heard, empowered, and protected for generations to come. 

Read Karen's profile in the New York Law Journal featuring excerpts from Chief Judge Lippman's nomination. 

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