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Honorees

Fern Schair, Esq.

Fern Schair was a lifelong activist fighting for access to justice for those who could not afford counsel or who experienced other barriers. In 1997, she co-founded The Children’s Law Center as the first public interest law firm dedicated to custody and visitation. Under her leadership as co-founder and later President of the Board of Directors, CLC grew its practice to include comprehensive legal advocacy across Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Staten Island.

Fern formerly served as the chief executive of the New York City Bar Association and Vice President at the American Arbitration Association. Fern had been a pioneer in the public interest legal world. She was chair of the Feerick Center for Social Justice at Fordham University School or Law since its inception and co-chair of an advisory council to promote change in the pro bono culture of New York’s legal profession.

Stephen Rinehart, Esq.

Steve Rinehart is an active member of CLC’s Board of Directors, where he helps ensure the organization is well-positioned to advocate for vulnerable children in the court room, their communities and with the agencies who serve them. He served as Board President from 2016 to 2020 providing countless hours of guidance and support.

Steve is a partner at Troutman Pepper, specializing in the prosecution, defense, and management of complex commercial disputes in the federal and state courts, at both the trial court and appellate levels. His 40 years of litigation experience encompass a wide range of business relationships and disputes, including breach of contract, professional liability, fraud, the federal securities laws, financial services, energy, restrictive covenants, and claims under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.