Glen Head Resident Donnalynn Darling Named Access to Justice Champion By The Nassau County Bar Association

Glen Head resident, Donnalynn Darling, the chair of the Personal Injury Law and Education Law practice groups, at Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein P.C. has been named an Access to Justice Champion by the Nassau County Bar Association. The award recognizes attorneys with outstanding service and dedication of time and effort to providing legal representation, guidance or advice on a pro bono basis to Nassau County residents.

"We wanted to find a way to recognize the hard work of these attorneys, and to encourage more volunteers," noted Martha Krisel, chair of the committee, which includes Nassau County Bar Association members, the Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Nassau Suffolk Law Services, the Legal Aid Society of Nassau County, the Assigned Counsel Defender Plan, and Hofstra and Touro law schools.

Ms. Darling finds it most rewarding to help people who cannot afford legal services to understand their rights under the law and to assist them in obtaining the services or compensation they are entitled to.  Several years ago and in response to increasing demand by parents of learning disabled children, Ms. Darling helped establish the Special Education practice at Meyer Suozzi to assist in the securing of timely education evaluations, services and accommodations for children in public and private schools under federal and state regulations.

Believing that parents are, in many cases, the best advocates for their children, Ms. Darling frequently volunteers her time speaking and meeting with parents and advocacy groups, educating them on their rights and those of their special-needs children. In addition, Ms. Darling has offered her services pro bono for those who have been unable to pay, and frequently provides gratis consultations and representation of children in Committee on Special Education meetings before school districts.

 “My commitment to the advocacy of those who cannot defend themselves began when I served as an Assistant District Attorney under Bronx D.A. Mario Merola.  In that office I prosecuted sex crimes involving children,” said Darling. “I find it rewarding to help people who cannot afford legal services to understand their rights under the law and to assist them in obtaining the services or compensation they are entitled to.  A great deal of satisfaction comes from knowing that you have played an integral role in someone else’s life, potentially easing a hardship or making a tough situation more bearable”

Founded in 1960 by the late John F. English, the firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. includes among its members Joseph A. Suozzi, former Appellate Division Justice; John V. N. Klein, former Suffolk County Executive; Basil A. Paterson, former New York Secretary of State; and Harold Ickes, former White House Deputy Chief of Staff.  Over the course of 50 years, the firm has earned a reputation for integrity, creativity and professionalism and has set a standard of excellence in the practice of law.  With offices in Albany, Garden City, Manhattan and Washington, D.C., the firm provides legal advice in diverse practice areas to individuals, institutions and corporations.  The firm can be found on line at http://www.msek.com