The Hon. Lucy Bernier (third from left) is shown with Del-Chen-O Co-founder and President Kathleen S. Campbell, President Elect Alicia Rohan and Vice President Willa Payne. (Photo by Brenna P. Baker)

Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association Celebrates Judge Lucy Bernier

ONEONTA

Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association hosted a successful dinner event at Bella Michael’s Restaurant in Oneonta on the evening of May 25, to honor Judge Lucy Bernier for her outstanding career of firsts in the legal profession. Judge Bernier spent 18 years as the first woman elected to the Oneonta City Court Bench. Her other important roles included partnering with her mother to form Pantaleoni & Bernier, a mother/daughter law firm, believed to be the first in New York; serving for six years as the first woman Oneonta city prosecutor and spending six years as an assistant district attorney for Otsego County.

Multiple members of the judiciary were in attendance, including Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, 3rd Dept., Hon. Elizabeth Garry; Hon. Joseph McBride; Hon. Robert Gouldin; and Hon. Claudette Newman. They were joined by many members of the legal community and community leaders, including the former Mayor of Oneonta, Kim Muller.

Judge Bernier was joined by her husband, Joseph Bernier, her sister, Alice Pantaleoni and partner Mark Lubell, and close friends Rick and Michelle Eastman.

Judge Bernier has left an indelible mark on the legal community through her trailblazing legal career and commitment to justice and fairness.

“This dinner event allowed us to honor a remarkable woman in the legal profession and express our sincere appreciation for all of her accomplishments,” said Del-Chen-O President Kathleen S. Campbell, Esq. “We are grateful to all the attendees who helped us make this evening a night to remember and we want to also extend our heartfelt appreciation to our sponsors, Coughlin & Gerhart, Counsel Press, and Campbell Real Property.”

Justice Elizabeth Garry, presiding justice of the Appellate Division, 3rd Dept., who traveled from Albany to be in attendance, remarked, “When we founded the Del-Chen-O chapter of WBASNY, we recognized the importance of celebrating noteworthy members of the legal community—and I am so glad we are gathered here this evening, with such a great turn-out, to celebrate Judge Bernier, who had such a noteworthy and remarkable career of service to this community!”

In introducing the Honoree, Del-Chen-O Vice President Willa S. Payne, Esq. remarked that “Judge Bernier’s legal accomplishments are exceptional. Her career is a career of firsts for women of a generation that were blazing the path and breaking down barriers to the legal profession.”

Payne added, “Judge Bernier, we thank you for your years of service that provided justice for countless members of the community and opened the door for the many women who will come after you.”

In accepting the recognition, Judge Bernier gave an inspiring speech that commented on her remarkable accomplishments, thanked all those who have supported and championed her along the way, and recognized the challenges faced by women in the legal profession. She also talked about the joys found in retirement.

Judge Bernier remarked, “I am tremendously humbled to receive this recognition from the Del-Chen-O chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, whose work to promote the advancement of women in society and the legal profession, as well as the fair and equal administration of justice, is so important. It is truly an honor.”

Del-Chen-O Women’s Bar Association is an organization dedicated to advancing the professional development and empowerment of women in the legal field.