On October 15, 2025, the Bar Association held the 2025 Jones Award Dinner to raise funds to restore historic portraits and return them to the walls of the Rensselaer County Courthouse.
The event began at the Rensselaer County Courthouse with a celebration of the newly refreshed Ceremonial Courtroom. Third Judicial District Chief Administrative Judge Christine Ryba joined with local Judges, courthouse and administrative office staff, bar association members and the public to celebrate the recently refreshed Ceremonial Courtroom. The Ceremonial Courtroom had undergone an update, including having the historic portraits carefully rehung and discreet technology upgrades installed. Special thanks to Judge Spain for his dedication to ensuring the process of the portrait restoration and rehanging was completed with meticulous care, and to the Division of Courtroom Modernization for their role in the restoration project. Judge Spain provided a talk and tour of the historic portraits now present in the courtroom.
The evening then continued at Franklin Plaza for the Gala celebration.
This year’s Jones Award Honorees were David L. Gruenberg, Esq., and The Team at Peebles Island:
Anne Cassidy, John Lovell, Mary Betlejeski, Joyce Zuker, Eric Price and Mark Peckham.
It was a wonderful evening, which included the unveiling of the newly restored portrait of William L. Marcy. Mr. Marcy started his legal career in Troy and went on to become Governor of New York, Secretary of War under President Polk and Secretary of State under President Pierce. Mount Marcy, New York�??s highest peak, is named for him. The portrait will be hung at the Rensselaer County Courthouse.
Thank you to everyone who attended and to the 2025 Honorary Committee List!
SENIOR COUNSEL:
William J. Aram, Esq.
Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.
Hacker & Murphy, LLP
Jonathan P. Harvey, Esq.
Hon. Robert Jacon
E. Stewart Jones, Jr.
Hon. Christopher T. Maier & Hon. Elizabeth M. Walsh
Hon. Susan Phillips Read (retired)
Rensselaer County District Attorney’s Office
District Attorney Mary Pat Donnelly
The Spain Law Firm, PLLC
PARTNER:
Anderson, Moschetti & Taffany, PLLC
Hon. Anne L. Coonrad
Law Offices of Edward J. Gorman, PLLC
Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP
Hon. Christian F. Hummel
Thomas A. Callaghan, Esq.
Kelly M. Curro, Esq.
Hon. Joseph C. Teresi
ASSOCIATE:
Tara Kersey, Esq.
Patrick T. Morphy
RCBA President Tara Kersey, The Peebles Island Team, Chief Clerk Allison Polemeropoulos, Third Judicial District Chief Administrative Judge Christina Ryba, Judge Edward Spain, District Executive Amelia Lepore Sessions
RCBA President Tara Kersey
Honoree David L. Gruenberg, Esq.
Honorees- The Peebles Island Team:
William L. Marcy