The Honorable E. Leo Milonas Recognized with NYCLA's Prestigious William Nelson Cromwell Award

The Cromwell Award is given each year to recognize a single member of the New York bar for “unselfish service to the profession and community.” Previous honorees include Michael Mukasey, former Attorney General of the United States; Mary Jo White, current chair of the Securities & Exchange Commission; and George Bundy Smith, former judge of the New York Court of Appeals (the state’s highest court).

Judge Milonas has exemplified outstanding service throughout his career. As the Chief Administrative Judge of the State of New York, he was instrumental in the achievement of many significant court reforms, including the revamping of the jury system and the creation of the Commercial Divisions of the Supreme Court, the Community Courts and Problem Solving Courts. As a private lawyer, he has worked on many important cases, ranging from high-stakes disputes among large corporations and efforts to revamp how asbestos cases are handled in New York City, to trying to resolve the need of New York City’s schools for additional funding.

Judge Milonas has also served as President of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York and continues to serve the legal community as a fellow, director or board member of numerous civic and judicial organizations. He is heavily involved in the judicial selection process for the New York Court of Appeals, chairs the First Department’s mediation program, and co-chairs the Commercial Courts Task Force.