NORWICH – Chenango County’s celebration of Law Day took place last Friday morning in the county courthouse, approximately 50 people attending the annual event, including many members of the legal community and high school students involved with the county’s mock trial competition. Presiding over the proceedings were Supreme Court Justice Kevin M. Dowd; Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Garry; County, Family and Surrogate Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr.; and his predecessor, former County Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan.
During the event, assistant district attorney Michael J. Genute recognized the Gilbertsville-Mount Upton Central School District mock trial team as the winners of this year’s competition.
“A great thing about it is everyone is really receptive, we don’t have the limitations other places do because everyone is happy to help the kids,” said Genute, alluding to the widespread support the program receives from the majority of those involved in Chenango County’s legal system.
Norwich City Court Judge James G. Cushman spoke of this year’s Bar Association Scholarship award, which will soon to be available for application. The scholarship is designed to aid current law school students from Chenango County who are asked to provide an academic transcript of at least one year from their law school career for consideration.
Next on the agenda ... the Liberty Bell Award, given out each year by the local bar association with the purpose of honoring an outstanding non-lawyer citizen, who has contributed to the American system of freedom under law. This year’s recipient was Bainbridge Justice and retired Army Colonel Randall Lambrecht.
“He sets the bar high for the rest of us,” said Robin King, who was chosen as a key note speaker. She spoke of her familiarity with Lambrecht through community service, in which they work with people who are challenged, noting how he always does so with a smile. “He is truly an officer and a gentlemen.”
“I am humbled by this award ... I see so many people in this room who could just as easily have received it,” said Lambrecht. “At some point it hits you and you just want to give something back, and that’s what community service is all about. I have never felt as good about something I have received as I have about something I have given.”
In Judge Dowd’s words, the day was about celebrating what it means to be an American, about making sure America is ruled by the word of law and order, not by people with power.
“I don’t think people always get that in Albany and Washington, but we get it,” he said.