The New York Bar Foundation Announces New Board Members and Officers

The New York Bar Foundation proudly announces the election of its officers for the 2025–2026 term, reaffirming a leadership team dedicated to advancing access to justice across New York State. Returning officers include Justice Cheryl E. Chambers (New York City), President; Pamela McDevitt (Albany), Secretary; Lucia B. Whisenand (Syracuse), Assistant Secretary; Susan B. Lindenauer (New York City), Chief Publicity Officer.

Justice Cheryl E. Chambers, President of the Foundation, said, “We are excited to welcome exceptional leaders who have extensive experience in finance, fundraising, and the nonprofit sector, along with a deep enthusiasm for our mission, at a vital time in the Foundation’s trajectory. We remain focused on the urgent work of increasing access to justice and promoting a more just and equitable society during these critical times.”

Joining the Foundation’s executive team in new roles are three distinguished legal professionals whose experience and commitment to public service will help drive the Foundation’s mission forward.  They are:

James B. Kobak, Jr., New York City, Vice President

Kobak was partner at Hughes Hubbard & Reed for 35 years before becoming its first General Counsel. He served as lead counsel to the trustee for the Securities Investor Protection Act (SIPA) liquidations of Lehman Brothers Inc. and MF Global Inc., and in similar roles for other liquidations almost from the inception of the SIPA statute. He has litigated in many forums at every level, including state and federal courts, from Bankruptcy Court to the Supreme Court of the United States, as well as arbitral bodies.  He is an active arbitrator and mediator and has lectured and written widely, particularly on antitrust and intellectual property matters, and more recently ethics and access to justice issues.  Kobak has taught substantive antitrust and intellectual property courses at leading law schools for nearly two decades.  He is a former president of the New York County Lawyers’ Association, and the New York County Lawyers’ Association (NYCLA) Foundation.  Kobak also serves as Board Chair of the National Center for Access to Justice.

He is a life Fellow in the Foundation’s highest new Circle of Giving, the Visionary Circle.

Kobak earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law.

William T. Russell, Jr., New York City, Treasurer

Russell is head of Simpson Thacher’s Bankruptcy and Restructuring Litigation Practice where he represents financial institutions, private equity sponsors, corporations, and other businesses in a wide variety of commercial disputes. He has tried cases in state and federal courts as well as in arbitral proceedings. Russell is an active member of several bar and legal services organizations including: Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Task Force on Homelessness and the Law, Chair of the New York City Bar Association Board of Directors, and has chaired Legal Services NYC’s Board of Directors and served on the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association. Russell is Chair of the Advisory Board of Legal Outreach, Inc., and serves on the boards of The Partnership to End Homelessness and the National Center for Access to Justice. He was also recently elected Chair of the Board of Directors of the New York City Bar Association.

He is a Fellow in the Foundation’s highest new Circle of Giving, the Visionary Circle.

Russell earned his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his law degree at New York University School of Law.

Ellen G. Makofsky Garden City, Assistant Treasurer

Makofsky is the founding partner of the Makofsky Valente Law Group, P.C., an Elder Law and Estate Planning firm. She has concentrated her practice in Elder Law, Trusts and Estates, Probate and Estate Administration, and Guardianships for over three decades.

Makofsky served three terms as Secretary of the New York State Bar Association and served on its Executive Committee, was chair of its Continuing Legal Education Committee, and a past chair of the Elder Law and Special Needs Section. Makofsky served as the President of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, New York Chapter and as a past President of the Estate Planning Council of Nassau County, Inc. She is a member of the Nassau County Bar Association and its Elder Law, Social Services and Health Advisory Committee and the Surrogate’s Court Trusts and Estates Committee. She is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Inc. (“NAELA”).

Makofsky is a former President and a founder of the Sun Council Inc. She is one of the founders of the Senior Umbrella Network of Queens and is a past chair of the organization. In addition, she is a former co-chair of Long Island Alzheimer’s Foundation (“LIAF”) Legal Advisory Board and is past president of the Gerontology Professionals of Long Island, Nassau Chapter.

She is a Fellow in the Thurgood Marshall Circle of Giving.

Makofsky earned her law degree from Brooklyn Law School.

The Foundation also welcomes five newly elected members to its Board of Directors—each bringing a unique perspective and proven dedication to the legal profession and public service. Their collective experience spans litigation, government service, inclusive leadership, nonprofit governance, and legal aid, making them valuable additions to the Foundation’s work statewide. They are:

Ross Kartez, Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, PC, Uniondale, Board Member

Kartez joins the Board for his first three-year term.

Kartez, a Partner at Ruskin Moscou Faltischek, practices in complex commercial dispute resolution and is the Chair of the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice Group and the Vice Chair of the Firm’s Insurance & Reinsurance Litigation, Dispute Resolution, Transactions, and Regulatory Problem-Solving Practice Group. Kartez is also an independent mediator and commercial arbitrator.

Kartez served as Chair of the New York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section. In addition to sponsoring the creation of many committees of the NYSBA’s Dispute Resolution Section, Ross founded the Dispute Resolution Section’s Diversity Series, a vital initiative geared towards improving and promoting diversity within the ADR community. He was also appointed to serve as Chair of the Nassau County Bar Association’s ADR Committee and serves on their Board of Directors. His success and leadership in the dispute resolution field resulted in his invitation to join the American Arbitration Association’s prestigious Panel of Commercial Arbitrators. Kartez joined the AAA’s highly regarded Panel as one of the youngest arbitrators in the country.

Kartez’s success as a lawyer has led to various industry recognitions, including his inclusion in the Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 List, the Long Island Herald’s Inaugural Top Lawyers of Long Island, and the elite roster of America’s Top 50 Lawyers. At the outset of his career, The Hugh L. Carey Center for Dispute Resolution at St. John’s School of Law awarded Ross the Mangano Grant, a grant awarded to young alumni to pursue opportunities and conduct research in the field of alternative dispute resolution.

Kartez earned his undergraduate degree from the University at Buffalo and his law degree from St. John’s University School of Law.

“Serving as a Chair of the Sections Committee for the Foundation’s Fundraising Campaign has provided the opportunity to see first-hand the importance of the Foundation’s mission. I am incredibly impressed with the leadership, and its vital work resonates with my values. At this critical juncture, it is an honor to work alongside my fellow board members to amplify its mission and expand its reach across New York State.”

John Nonna, Westchester County Attorney, White Plains, Board Member

Nonna has served as Westchester County Attorney since 2018. Prior to serving in that position, he was the managing partner of the New York office of Squire Patton Boggs LLP and practiced at other major law firms for over 30 years. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. After law school he was law assistant to Associate Judge Dominick Gabrielli of the New York Court of Appeals.  He is a mediator for the United States District Court mediation program.

Nonna currently serves as a trustee of SUNY Westchester Community College and previously served as Board Chair. He is also a member and prior co-chair of the Board of Directors of the Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights Under Law. He is a member of the Boards of the Jacob Burns Film Center and the Friends of the Rockefeller State Park Preserve. He has served as Secretary and member of the Board of Governors of the New York Athletic Club. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association, Westchester County Bar Association, Federal Bar Council and New York City Bar Association. He also served in the United States Naval Reserve from 1971 to 1975. In addition to his interest in the law, Mr. Nonna has served as an elected official in local government including as Mayor, Trustee and Acting Village Justice of Pleasantville, New York and as a Westchester County Legislator.

He is a Fellow in the Learned Hand Circle of Giving.

Nonna received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his Law Degree from New York University School of Law.

“I am honored and privileged for the opportunity to join The New York Bar Foundation Board of Directors. I look forward to doing what I can to advance the Foundation’s mission to promote the rule of law, achieve equal justice for all and bend the arc of the moral universe towards justice.”

Kimberly Wolf Price, Syracuse, Board Member

Wolf Price joins The New York Bar Foundation Board for a three-year term.

Wolf Price is the Chief Strategy Office for Bond, Schoeneck and King.  She serves as an advisor to the Management Committee on issues pertaining to strategic growth, retention, business development and attorney development. She works with firm leadership to create programs and opportunities that support Bond’s attorneys so that they may better serve our clients. She also focuses on strategies to increase the retention and advancement of Bond attorneys and serves as the firm’s Diversity Officer.

Wolf Price has held several leadership positions with the New York State Bar Association.  She is chair of NYSBA’s Committee on Attorney Well-Being and is a longtime member of the Bar’s Committee on Diversity Equity & Inclusion, among others. She is a former chair and longtime member of NYSBA’s Women in Law Section and Lawyers in Transition Committee. She is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Wolf Price was appointed to The Robert A. Katzmann Justice for All: Courts and the Community, the civics education project of the Federal Courts of the Second Circuit. She is a Board Member of the Central New York Volunteer Lawyers Project and the Central New York Women’s Bar Association.

Wolf Price chairs several firm committees including the Diversity Committee, Professional Development Committee and Well-Being Committee, and works closely with the Associate Committee, Pro Bono Committee, and the Recruiting Committee (attorneys) to advance their goals. She is a member of the Artificial Intelligence Committee.

Wolf Price earned her undergraduate degree from Colgate University and her law degree from Syracuse University College of Law (J.D., magna cum laude).”

“My deep commitment to access to justice and inclusive initiatives, along with a strong belief in the vital role attorneys play in serving our communities, are what draw me to the important work of the New York Bar Foundation. I’m honored to join in advancing its mission and look forward to making a meaningful contribution.”

Salman Ravala, Esq., Criscione Ravala LLP, New York City, Board Member

Ravala is Partner at Criscione Ravala, where he practices in the areas of broad commercial, employment, and conflict resolution practice involving businesses, non-profits, government, and private clients.  He was previously the Vice President of Legal and Business Affairs for Equipment.Net, Inc. where he drafted, analyzed, and reviewed HR policies and manuals, employment handbooks, and ancillary contracts and agreements.

Ravala is an active member as a Board member of Scholarship America and presented on “Social Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy” at the White House.  Ravala is a recipient of the President’s Community Service Award.

Ravala has been a Foundation Fellow since 2020.

He earned his undergraduate degree from Florida Atlantic University and his law degree and M.A. in Economics from Syracuse University.

“I am honored to join the ranks of distinguished service-driven leaders across New York State to continue the Foundation’s decades-long tradition of advancing Access to Justice and Rule of Law. A cornerstone of our legal profession is, in addition to chasing fairness, seeking equity, and preserving justice, a call for lawyers to do public good – and I hope to help catalyze change and positively impact the life of others through my involvement as a member of the Board of Directors of the esteemed New York Bar Foundation.”

Sherry Levin Wallach, Deputy Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, Board Member

Wallach was sworn in as the 125th President of the New York State Bar Association.  She is Co-Chair of the Chief Judge’s Committee to Study the New York Bar Exam and a member of the New York Chief Administrative Judge’s Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence and the New York Courts.

Levin Wallach concentrates her practice on criminal defense. She has also practiced in the areas of medical malpractice defense, plaintiff personal injury, estate planning, probate and estate administration, real estate, and general civil litigation. She has practiced in both the state and federal courts. In her years in private practice, she served on both the Westchester and Putnam County Assigned Counsel panels including the felony and homicide panels in Westchester, which provide criminal defense for those who cannot afford an attorney.

Levin Wallach is a Board member of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL). She serves on its Legislative Committee and co-chairs its Technology Committee. Levin Wallach is a member of the Chief Defenders Association of New York’s (CDANY) Technology Committee and developed CLE programs on emerging technologies for the criminal defense bar in New York and a member of the International Bar Association (IBA). She serves as a Delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates.

Wallach is a Fellow in the Thurgood Marshall Circle of Giving.

She earned her undergraduate BBA from George Washington University and her Juris Doctorate from Hofstra University School of Law.

“As a Fellow and former President of NYSBA, I have supported the critical work of the New York Bar Foundation for many years including its current capital fundraising plan. The Foundation exemplifies the best of our profession—service, compassion, and commitment to justice. I’m thrilled to join the Board and help further its essential work of advancing civil legal services and strengthening communities across our state.”