New York, NY, Wednesday, April 1, 2026 – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) proudly recognizes Rachel Chazin Halperin, Esq., for being honored by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) with the distinguished W. Haywood Burns Award, celebrating her decades of unwavering commitment to civil legal services and access to justice.
Named in honor of the renowned civil rights attorney W. Haywood Burns—who worked alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and became New York’s first African American law school dean—the award recognizes outstanding leaders dedicated to advancing civil rights and equal justice across New York State. Rachel Chazin Halperin’s professional journey is a living reflection of the spirit and legacy of Hayward Burns.
Ms. Halperin is the Chief Executive Officer of Legal Services of the Hudson Valley, has devoted more than 25 years to serving vulnerable communities. Under her leadership, the organization supports more than 200 attorneys and staff across ten offices serving seven counties, providing critical legal assistance in matters involving housing stability, food security, access to healthcare, domestic violence, and poverty.
“Rachel Chazin Halperin’s career reflects the very essence of service, compassion, and leadership,” said WBASNY President Lisa Noroian. “Her work has had a profound and lasting impact on countless individuals and families throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. WBASNY is proud to celebrate her achievements and her steadfast dedication to justice.”
Throughout her career, Ms. Halperin has served those who are powerless, ensuring they are represented and treated fairly regardless of their socioeconomic status, race, and gender. She has consistently worked to dismantle systemic barriers and address community-wide problems. She has lifted up New State’s communities with her advocacy, and her leadership has increased diversity, equity and the well-being of our communities and the legal profession.
Ms. Halperin holds a Juris Doctor from New York University School of Law and a Master of Social Work from New York University School of Social Work. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently serves on the New York State Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Legal Aid, and is co-chair of the Westchester County Bar Association’s Committee on Attorney Wellness.
The award will be presented on April 15 at CUNY School of Law.
WBASNY commends Ms. Halperin for her extraordinary contributions and her continued leadership in advancing justice, equity, and access to legal services for all.
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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 4,100 attorneys throughout New York State and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country. For 45 years, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, providing professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families. Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 50 committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.
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