Monroe County Bar Association Installs First African American President
Thu, Jun 19, 2008  The Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA) will install T. Andrew Brown, co-founder and managing partner of Brown & Hutchinson, Thursday evening as its new president of the 2008-09 year. The MCBA annual Installation Dinner will be held Thursday, June 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency Rochester.
Brown has served in multiple roles during his 24 years as an MCBA member. He has served on the Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board, as well as a member of the Judiciary, Assigned Counsel, and House Finance committees. In addition, Andrew has chaired the MCBA Diversity Committee.
Brown, a 1984 graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and a 1981 graduate of Syracuse University, practices in New York state in the areas of civil litigation and employment law, providing counsel to individuals and businesses of all sizes.
Andrew began practicing law with Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle (now Nixon Peabody) in New York City, later relocating to Rochester with the firm. Prior to launching Brown & Hutchinson in 1994, he also served as Deputy County Attorney for Monroe County representing civil litigation matters and serving as an advisor to the County Executive and other senior county officials.
Andrew also is a past President of the Rochester Black Bar Association and a member of the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association. In 2004, he served on the Advisory Committee to the American Jury Project and the Commission on the American Jury by appointment of then American Bar Association President Robert Grey. He also has served on the Commission to Examine Solo and Small Firm Practice in New York by appointment of New York Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye in 2004. Andrew brings a diversified background to the practice of law, including adjunct teaching positions and past service on boards and commissions.
Additionally, Harold A. Kurland will serve as President-Elect of the MCBA for the 2008-09 year, assuming the role of President in July 2009. Mr. Kurland is a founding partner at Ward Norris Heller & Reidy LLP and has been at the firm since May 2000. A 1976 graduate of Cornell Law School, Mr. Kurland concentrates on civil litigation and handles a variety of commercial, construction and professional malpractice defense cases. He has been a member of the Monroe County Bar Association since 1977 and has served in a variety of roles throughout the years, including current Co-Chair of the Litigation Section, former Trustee and member of the Executive Committee, and past Chair of the Judiciary, Courts, and Federal Court Committees.
During the evening’s festivities, the Bar will pay tribute to outgoing President, Thomas G. Smith of Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, along with those who have been a member of MCBA for 50 years.
In addition, several individuals in the legal community will receive awards for their service over the past year. They are as follows:
• Charles F. Crimi Memorial Award – Edward J. Nowak, former Monroe County Public Defender
• Raymond J. Pauley Award – Don H. Twietmeyer, Hiscock & Barclay, LLP
• President’s Award for Professionalism – Diana M. Irizarry, Support Magistrate, Family Court
• President’s Award for Professionalism – The Hon. Thomas A. Klonick, Chairman of the State Commission on Judicial Conduct
• President’s Award for Contribution – Michael S. Schnittman, Lacy Katzen LLP
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