Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar has been honored with the prestigious Atticus Award by the New York State Trial Lawyers Association (NYSTLA) in recognition of her bravery, leadership, and dedication to social justice. The award was presented to Rajkumar by NYSTLA President David Scher during the NYSTLA’s New Lawyer Committee event held on July 14.
In response to receiving the award, Rajkumar expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the public and be a voice for those in need. She took to Twitter, stating, “It was a true honor to receive the ‘Atticus Award for Courage, Leadership and Social Justice’ from the Trial Lawyers Association. Like the lawyers at NYSTLA @NYSTLA, I have been proud to dedicate my career to fighting for the vulnerable & the voiceless.”
As a civil rights lawyer, Rajkumar has been involved in numerous litigations concerning issues affecting the general public. Notably, she was part of the legal team in Velez v. Novartis, a case ranked by the United Nations as one of the top 10 cases globally in advancing women’s equality. Additionally, she has collaborated with the U.S. Department of Justice on cases combating corporate fraud and excess, as mentioned in her profile.
Jenifer Rajkumar’s election to the New York State Assembly marked a historic moment, as she became the first South Asian-American woman ever to be elected from District 38. Her legislative accomplishments have earned her national recognition. Recently, her bill to designate Diwali as a school holiday in New York City was passed by the New York state legislature and now awaits approval from New York’s governor Kathy Hochul.
Prior to her role in the State Assembly, Rajkumar served as the Director of Immigration Affairs for New York State. Her parents immigrated to the United States from India, settling in Queens where they began their journey. Born and raised in New York, Jenifer is the first generation of her family to be born in the United States, as stated in her biography.
