Janice Grubin, partner and co-chair of Barclay Damon’s Restructuring, Bankruptcy & Creditors’ Rights Practice Area, has been named a recipient of the American Bar Association Commission on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity’s 11th annual Stonewall Award. Grubin and the other recipients will be honored at a ceremony on February 3, 2024, at the ABA Midyear Meeting in Louisville, Kentucky.
In its news release, the American Bar Association stated, “Named after the New York City Stonewall Inn police raid and riot of June 28, 1969, which was a turning point in the gay rights movement, the award recognizes lawyers who have considerably advanced lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals in the legal profession and successfully championed LGBT legal causes.”
In addition to her legal practice at Barclay Damon, Grubin is a founding member of the firm’s LGBTQIA+ Employee Affinity Network. She is the first vice president and a board member of the LGBT Bar Association of Greater New York and has served as the chair and co-chair of the organization’s Judiciary Committee for more than 12 years. As co-chair of the Judiciary Committee, she has led evaluations of candidates for elective judicial office to advance LGBT and allyship on the bench as well as to promote sensitivity and consideration toward LGBT persons in court. In 2023, Grubin received the Tri-State Diversity Council LGBTQ+ Leadership Award, which is given to leaders who identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community and who exemplify recognizable LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, serve as role models within the LGBTQ+ community, and strive to promote inclusiveness within the workplace. Grubin is also a member of the Path-to-the-Bench Working Groups for the Connecticut and New York chapters of the American Constitution Society.
About receiving the award, Grubin said, “It is truly an honor to receive such a prestigious award from this organization, where I have been a member for most of my legal career. Knowing that the work I do to champion LGBTQIA+ individuals in the legal industry has made an impact beyond my own circle is particularly rewarding.” She continued, “It is important to note that while we continue to make great strides toward equity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+ individuals, our work is nowhere near done. My commitment to helping my peers and colleagues, especially in the legal arena, remains steadfast.”
Sharon Brown, Barclay Damon’s diversity partner, said, “To have one of our own recognized with this award is truly astounding. At Barclay Damon, we’re committed to maintaining a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for our attorneys, staff, and clients. Janice is a vital participant in our DEI initiatives and serves as a leader to her peers. We couldn’t be prouder of Janice and all the work she does.”
Connie Cahill, the firm’s managing partner, said, “Barclay Damon values elevating diverse voices and celebrating the many accomplishments of our diverse attorneys and staff. We acknowledge the importance of Janice’s continued work to champion members of the LGBTQIA+ community in the legal profession, where representation and acceptance are often in short supply. Congratulations, Janice!”
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