Lawyers Alliance for New York Awards Preetha Chakrabarti Cornerstone Award for Pro Bono Work

New York – December 2, 2021: Lawyers Alliance for New York honored Preetha Chakrabarti with its 2021 Cornerstone Award. This award singles out individuals who have provided “superior legal services to nonprofit organizations that are improving quality of life for low-income New Yorkers.” 

Chakrabarti, a counsel in the firm’s Technology and Intellectual Property Department, was among 13 individuals selected from more than 2,100 business and transactional lawyers who volunteered through Lawyers Alliance over the past year. She was recognized for “for protecting nonprofits’ valuable intellectual property assets,” including the Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Statue Fund d/b/a Monumental Women. The nonprofit organization sought her counsel after another organization began using its registered trademark to solicit charitable funds.

Pam Elam, president of Monumental Women, praised Chakrabarti because she helped stop another group from using their trademarked name. “We no longer had to worry about potential donors sending contributions to the wrong organization,” Elam said. “We no longer had to worry about another organization attempting to take credit for our work. We are an all-volunteer, not-for-profit group with no staff and no office. We do not have the resources to hire legal assistance. Without the help of Lawyers Alliance and Chakrabarti, we would have had to fight the battle alone.”

Chakrabarti also helped Virtual Education Life Skills Mentoring Services, a mentoring group in New York City, trademark its name and logo. According to Brett J. Truitt, V-ELMS’ founding director, “Preetha was very professional and patient. She wanted my input and wanted to make certain that I understood the steps being taken.” She worked on various trademark consultations, agreements, and declarations of use for Chalkbeat, Wingspan Arts, Green City Force, and Classroom Inc.

“I love the varied work and types of people and organizations I get to know through pro bono work,” Chakrabarti said. “Helping Monumental Women achieve a great resolution in the protection and enforcement of their intellectual property was a satisfying outcome for a timely and important initiative!”

For more information about Chakrabarti and this award, please see here.