Brafman wins Pursuit of Justice award

Benjamin Brafman gives his acceptance speech to the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ) at Shearith Israel Synagogue in New York City
Benjamin Brafman gives his acceptance speech to the American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ) at the historic Shearith Israel Synagogue in New York City. (Photos: Stan Schnier)
Nathan Lewin, left, presents Benjamin Brafman with his award. Art piece in background depicts the "false trial" of Benjamin as told in the Genesis story about Joseph and his brothers.
Nathan Lewin, left, presents Benjamin Brafman with his award. Art piece in background depicts the “false trial” of Benjamin as told in the Genesis story about Joseph and his brothers.

NEW YORK (Press Release) — The American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ) presented its 2014 Pursuit of Justice award on December 15 to renowned criminal defense attorney Benjamin Brafman at the Spanish and Portuguese Synagogue, Shearith Israel. 

Attorney Brafman joined a lengthy list of distinguished lawyers and judges who previously received the AAJLJ’s award including Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer, Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Aharon Barak (of the Supreme Court of Israel), Chief Judge of the State of New York Jonathan Lippman, former Chief Judge of the State of New York Judith Kaye, and former U.S. Solicitor General Seth Waxman.  The award is presented by the AAJLJ to an attorney, judge, or law professor, who shares and epitomizes the Association’s commitment to justice and advocacy for human rights.

The AAJLJ is an affiliate of the International Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists headquartered in Tel Aviv. The AAJLJ and IAJLJ are well-known for organizing discussions, programs, and submitting briefs on issues important and significant to the security of the State of Israel and the Jewish People all over the world.

Brafman is distinguished among the defense bar for his representation of high-profile clients including Michael Jackson, Sean “P. Diddy” Combs, and Dominique Strauss-Kahn.  He is also known for his passionate support and defense of the State of Israel.  The award was presented on behalf of the AAJLJ by prominent Washington, DC attorney Nathan Lewin, who is a Past-President of the Association and former recipient of the award.  The featured guest speaker at the dinner was Rabbi Dr. Meir Y. Soloveichik, Rabbi of Shearith Israel and Director of the Straus Center for Torah and Western Thought at Yeshiva University.

As the award, the AAJLJ presented Mr. Brafman with an 18th century lithograph depicting the Biblical scene of the “false arrest” of Benjamin described in the portion of the Bible that will be read in synagogues this weekend (“Parashat Mikeitz”).

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Preceding provided by The American Association of Jewish Lawyers and Jurists (AAJLJ).