Social Security Attorney Honored With Gabrielli Memorial Award!

Capital Region Law Firm Partner Recognized for Judging Court Competition Program for Law Students

ALBANY, NY – Capital District law firm partner and Social Security attorney Ira Mendleson has been honored by Albany Law School of Union University’s Moot Court Board with the 2011-2012 Gabrielli Memorial Award for his contributions as a volunteer judge to law students participating in the court competition program.

Mendleson, a principal partner of Buckley, Mendleson, Criscione and Quinn (BMCQ), who works solely on Social Security Disability cases, was recognized with the prestigious award at the 32nd annual Spring Awards Banquet on April 5. A native of Albany, he is an alumnus of Albany Law School.

Mendleson received the award in appreciation for “outstanding service and dedication in promoting the principles, practices and objectives of the Moot Court program,” which trains law students in oral and written appellate advocacy, trial advocacy, client counseling and negotiation through national intraschool competitions.

Moot Court Faculty Advisor Dean Alicia Ouellette, Associate Dean for Student Affairs & Professor of Law at Albany Law School, described Mendleson as “an ideal recipient of the award.”

“Ira Mendleson is incredibly generous with his time and his wisdom,” she said. “He is a natural teacher, who readily volunteers to help our students in all kinds of moot court activities. The program could not function without our outstanding volunteer judges. We are delighted to recognize Mr. Mendleson’s many contributions to the moot court program with the Gabrielli Memorial Award.”

More than half of the law school’s students receive intensive training, valuable experience and superb networking opportunities while gaining a sense of accomplishment, teamwork and school spirit through the Moot Court program.

During the 2011-2012 academic year, Albany Law School competed in 10 national competitions and hosted the 24th annual Domenick L. Gabrielli Family Law Competition, a three-day event held in February.

According to Christopher Honeywell, a third year law student and executive director of the moot court program, the Gabrielli Memorial Award “honors the late Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, Domenick L. Gabrielli, and originated in order to praise an individual outside Albany Law School who exhibits continued commitment, dedication, support and volunteerism to the Moot Court Program year after year.”

“Mr. Mendleson’s dedication to the Albany Law Moot Court program over the years has been instrumental to the growth of the student competitors who love having him as a judge for his insightful feedback and words of encouragement,” Honeywell said. “From a program standpoint, his judging expertise and willingness to help the program in any way he can shows his selfless dedication to the betterment of the legal community at Albany Law School.”