Social Responsibility and Community Involvement
We have decades of involvement and financial support for organizations that serve our diverse communities including these initiatives:
YWCA Empowering Women Luncheon
We sponsor tables at the annual YWCA’s Empowering Women Luncheon, which features keynote speakers sharing stories of the strength and achievement of women. The funds raised through the luncheon help the YWCA provide housing and support services for over 1000 women and families each year.
Stand Against Racism Campaign
HSE has participated in the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism for the past several years. Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities.
Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Program
We have joined organizations such as Special Olympics and Best Buddies to “Spread the Word to End the Word”, a program which raises awareness about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed).” The Spread the Word movement asks people to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people.
Commitment to Community
HSE encourages and supports attorney involvement in professional and community-based diversity organizations. Below are just a few examples of the many organizations the firm and our attorneys support, both financially and with service.
- Minority Bar Foundation of Western New York
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Buffalo Urban League Membership and Annual Awards Dinner
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Empire Justice Center
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Human Rights Campaign
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National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York
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Seneca Nation Athletic Dinner (Hall of Fame)
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The Minority Bar Association of Western New York Annual Scholarship Dinner
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The Minority Corporate Counsel Association Annual Conference
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The National Bar Association
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Western New York Black MBA Association Annual Meeting
Sheldon K. Smith, a Litigation partner in the Buffalo office (who also frequently works out of the Corning and New York City offices), was selected for inclusion into The National Black Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in New York. The National Black Lawyers is a professional and educational organization comprised of the nation’s premier African American attorneys. The selection for this high honor is based on a multi-phase process that includes peer nominations and third-party research. The result is a credible and comprehensive list of the most outstanding African American lawyers in the country.
Click here to view the The National Black Lawyers Names Sheldon K. Smith to its List of Top 100 Lawyers in New York press release.
John G. Horn, a Litigation partner and Partner in Charge of the firm’s Buffalo office, was elected in early 2020 by the Minority Bar Foundation of Western New York to serve on its board of directors. The Minority Bar Foundation of Western New York was formed in 2004 to advance education and scholarship in the field of law. The Foundation works to ensure continued minority representation in the profession and empower these future leaders to help shape the justice system in Western New York and throughout New York State. The Foundation provides professional guidance, educational programs and financial assistance through grants to students beginning in college through law school.
Click here to view the John G. Horn Elected as a Minority Bar Foundation Director press release.
In 2017, HSE was awarded the Diversity Award by the Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York during the association’s annual awards ceremony. We were the first recipient of the Award that recognizes individuals or organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession through the encouragement and involvement of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and/or persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities.
Click here to view the Harter Secrest & Emery Receives Diversity Award from WNY Chapter of Women’s Bar Association press release.
Social Responsibility and Community Involvement
We have decades of involvement and financial support for organizations that serve our diverse communities including these initiatives:
YWCA Empowering Women Luncheon
We sponsor tables at the annual YWCA’s Empowering Women Luncheon, which features keynote speakers sharing stories of the strength and achievement of women. The funds raised through the luncheon help the YWCA provide housing and support services for over 1000 women and families each year.
Stand Against Racism Campaign
HSE has participated in the YWCA’s Stand Against Racism for the past several years. Stand Against Racism is a signature campaign of YWCA USA to build community among those who work for racial justice and to raise awareness about the negative impact of institutional and structural racism in our communities.
Spread the Word to End the Word Awareness Program
We have joined organizations such as Special Olympics and Best Buddies to “Spread the Word to End the Word”, a program which raises awareness about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word “retard(ed).” The Spread the Word movement asks people to stop saying the R-word as a starting point toward creating more accepting attitudes and communities for all people.
Commitment to Community
HSE encourages and supports attorney involvement in professional and community-based diversity organizations. Below are just a few examples of the many organizations the firm and our attorneys support, both financially and with service.
Buffalo Urban League Membership and Annual Awards Dinner
Empire Justice Center
Human Rights Campaign
National Federation for Just Communities of Western New York
Seneca Nation Athletic Dinner (Hall of Fame)
The Minority Bar Association of Western New York Annual Scholarship Dinner
The Minority Corporate Counsel Association Annual Conference
The National Bar Association
Western New York Black MBA Association Annual Meeting
Sheldon K. Smith, a Litigation partner in the Buffalo office (who also frequently works out of the Corning and New York City offices), was selected for inclusion into The National Black Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers in New York. The National Black Lawyers is a professional and educational organization comprised of the nation’s premier African American attorneys. The selection for this high honor is based on a multi-phase process that includes peer nominations and third-party research. The result is a credible and comprehensive list of the most outstanding African American lawyers in the country.
Click here to view the The National Black Lawyers Names Sheldon K. Smith to its List of Top 100 Lawyers in New York press release.
John G. Horn, a Litigation partner and Partner in Charge of the firm’s Buffalo office, was elected in early 2020 by the Minority Bar Foundation of Western New York to serve on its board of directors. The Minority Bar Foundation of Western New York was formed in 2004 to advance education and scholarship in the field of law. The Foundation works to ensure continued minority representation in the profession and empower these future leaders to help shape the justice system in Western New York and throughout New York State. The Foundation provides professional guidance, educational programs and financial assistance through grants to students beginning in college through law school.
Click here to view the John G. Horn Elected as a Minority Bar Foundation Director press release.
In 2017, HSE was awarded the Diversity Award by the Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York during the association’s annual awards ceremony. We were the first recipient of the Award that recognizes individuals or organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to promoting full and equal participation in the legal profession through the encouragement and involvement of women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and/or persons of differing sexual orientations and gender identities.
Click here to view the Harter Secrest & Emery Receives Diversity Award from WNY Chapter of Women’s Bar Association press release.