Lawyers' Charity Begins At Home

By Mike Graham
New York Law Journal
July 30, 2001

MINEOLA — Participating in charity work is a time-tested and effective way for lawyers to heighten their business profile. But the practice has become a matter of course for lawyers on Long Island, where the rewards of giving back to this close-knit community far exceed the benefits of mere networking. From the largest firm to solo practices, golf tournaments, wine tasting events, marathons and walkathons have become a major focus for lawyers who now put charity high on their very long to-do list.

In an effort to entrench themselves in the community, lawyers seek out charitable organizations such as the United Way, the Education & Assistance Corp., the American Cancer Society, to name a few, and offer their services free of charge. A partner with the East Meadow law firm Certilman, Balin, Adler & Hyman, Richard Herzbach said Long Island attorneys are a special breed, especially when compared to their colleagues in New York City.

"We are a closer community," Mr. Herzbach said. "We deal with each other on a very regular basis and feel it is very important to give back to the community." Mr. Herzbach, who lost his brother-in-law to cancer, will be honored Oct. 1 as the American Cancer Society's Man of the Year at the annual golf tournament, reception and dinner. What makes Long Island attorneys willing to commit their time to "do-good" projects is the small-town feel within its legal community, according to Richard Feldman, a senior partner at Uniondale-based Rivkin Radler.

"Long Island attorneys have a tendency to practice on Long Island because they like to be closer to their home," he said. "We believe we have a duty to be good citizens, and the Long Island charitable organizations rely upon us to participate on their boards."

Certilman Balin attorney Michael D. Brofman, who turned 50 this month, was trying to come with something to do on his birthday. The typical ideas of vacations, parties and day trips came to mind, but he settled on something far more strenuous.

When he heard about a 350-mile bike riding event called "AIDS Ride" he remembered how a young friend of his had a child born with AIDS who died at the age of 5. After contributing many years to the AIDS cause, he said this seemed like a perfect way to spend his birthday. "I felt that this particular ride, because it dealt with the treatment of patients, was really special," he recalled. However, preparing for the long ride took a fair degree of determination. "I started riding in April and I've been trying to ride three to four times a week. I ride to work every once in awhile," he added.

Other charities on the roster of nonprofit organizations that are helped by Long Island's attorneys include the We Care program, the American Heart Association, the Heckscher Museum, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

William Savino, managing partner at Rivkin Radler and a board member of Long Island's United Way, said that good networking in the community is one way to gain professional status and dignity, but he added that it demonstrates something more.

"By representing many of Long Island's larger corporations, that adds to your stature as a lawyer," Mr. Savino said. "You've got to show the community that you care."

Mr. Savino theorized that unlike other professions, lawyers do not necessarily see tangible fruits of their labors, since they do not build bridges or cure ailments. "Lawyers commit themselves to the community they live and work in [by] building emotional bridges," he said. Of all the organizations that benefit from attorneys' charitable work, perhaps the Education & Assistance Corp., which provides services to over 45,000 people each year, enjoys the most in a unique symbiotic relationship.

Chief Executive Officer of EAC Lance Elder said his organization, which helps children, adults and seniors through a variety of social programs, depends heavily on the efforts of lawyers.

He attributed the large percentage of lawyers on his board to the fact that his organization provides social programs within the criminal justice system.

"A lot of it has to do with courts, so they kind of know us because they use us in a lot of what they do," he said.

Mr. Elder said that the people whom he depends on the most, outside of his senior staff, are attorneys because they are so familiar with the work that his organization does. He added that the synergy is natural because the EAC's work involves not only criminal court and family court, but the group's work also involves substance abuse issues.

The charitable work that Long Island attorneys choose to undertake puts them in situations not typically experienced in the button-down world of lawyering. Take the case of David Schaffer, a partner in the Mineola firm Meltzer, Lippe, Goldstein & Schlissel, who at the age of 65 ran the New York City Marathon for the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Mr. Schaffer hooked up with members of "Fred's Team," named after Fred Lebow, the late founder of the New York City marathon. Mr. Shaffer raised over $5,500 for running the 26-mile race, but the most moving moment for Mr. Shaffer came when he saw the children he was raising money for during the race. He was instructed by the event's coordinators to "high-five" the youngsters who were lined up to watch the run.

"As I was about to start running again, a little girl tapped me on the shoulder and said, 'Mister, could you please give me a high-five because you missed me?" he recalled.