On November 3, 2025, ECBAWM Partner Andrew G. Celli Jr. was honored by the Fund for Modern Courts, a court-reform organization, with the 2025 Robert M. Kaufman Award in recognition of his exceptional to contributions to advancing justice in New York.

Each year at its Annual Justice Celebration, The Fund for Modern Courts honors attorneys whose work has significantly furthered justice in the New York State’s legal system.  This year, Andy shared the Kaufman Award with Faith Gay, founder of the law firm Selendy Gay.  Also honored at the event was Matthew Diller, the former Dean of Fordham Law School.

Andy was introduced by Chief Judge Rowan Wilson of the New York Court of Appeals. In his remarks, Andy said:  “As lawyers – especially citizen-lawyers – our job is to lift up our clients’ stories, to use our training and our skills to ensure that they are heard in their fullness and vitality, and to press the law to reflect modern values and address modern concerns… [We] believe in the power of storytelling; in open and fair processes; in electing and appointing great judges; in building a court system that is efficient and accessible; and in nurturing an evolving common law that bends towards justice.”

To read Andy’s full remarks, click here.

To watch Andy’s remarks, click ​here​.