Eagle file photo The Kings County Columbian Lawyers Association will single out a number of outstanding jurists and barristers when it holds its annual Installation Dinner Dance on June 13 at the El Caribe. Presenting on behalf of outgoing President Robert J. Musso will be Justice Carl Landicino, who will then see to the installation of new President Bart Russo. Moving up in the chairs will be Rose Ann C. Branda, Dean Delianites, Linda Locasio, Mark Longo, Joseph Rosato and Hon. Frank Seddio. Lucy DiSalvo, court attorney, advises that replies for this popular evening should be in no later than June 6. This is one of the law com- munity’s most popular events, she noted, and those who would attend should act promptly. A continental smorgasbord and cocktail party will start promptly at 6:30 p.m., DiSalvo advises, with the formal sit-down dinner beginning at 8 p.m. Inn Panel Reviews Whistleblowers Avoiding Verdict Distraction When the Kings County Inns of Court, led by President Ellen Spodek, held its regular CLE-orient- ed session Tuesday night, one of the panelists occupying center stage at Brooklyn Bar Headquarters had a special reason to smile. Yet, Gus Mallas, who just had his personal injury verdict for $18.7 million affirmed by the Court of Appeals, was just another cast mem- ber in an artfully-contrived series of skits that provided insight into the legal advantages and disadvantages facing would-be whistleblowers these days. With moderator Mark Longo maintaining a professional atmos- phere, there were no untoward com- ments about Mallas’s victory, as all of the panel members did their best to present the many dilemmas that lawyers face when a client — or even the lawyer herself — gain knowledge that demands public disclosure. There seemed to be a consensus that all lawyers — whether serving on the board of a malfeasant corpora- tion, or coming into knowledge that the corporation is putting lives at risk (think General Motors and its phony recall of floor mats instead of faulty ignitions) — face dilemmas, con- flicts of interest and worse when they become whistleblowers. One role, portrayed with perfec- tion by barrister Mallas, featured him as a whistle-blowing cop in a recent incident, one involving an actual drama that played out at the NYPD’s Coney Island precinct. Mallas, whose office is in Bay Ridge, was excellent — accent and all — in the role of the aggrieved detective who refused to “take a fall” in a homicide investigation that had been botched by another detective. The entire performing panel, led eloquently by Longo, was composed also of Fran Malfa, Steve Solomon, Brian Kiernan, Victoria Wickman and Steve Goolnick (who wrote the “Coney Island Whistleblower” scenes) and delved into the dangers that lawyers face when they serve on a number of separate corporate boards and receive per diem stipends from each. “It’s clear from this [the presenta- tion] that any lawyer who takes a posi- tion on a corporate board runs an extra risk,” a barrister from the floor said. “It seems that every time she sees wrong- doing by other board members, the companies’ officers, or managerial staff, she faces a dilemma.” Moderator Longo acknowledged that there would be constant tension for lawyers who want to do the right thing, but run the risk of getting into situations in which their ongoing obligations to the court come in direct conflict with their corporate responsibilities. (Post note: Some members dis- creetly congratulated barrister Mallas; one heard to say, “It couldn’t happen to a nicer guy.” We agree.) Inn Co-Founder Justice Steinhardt To Head Women’s Bar Association Also announced at the Inn meet- ing was the upcoming Brooklyn Women’s Bar Association Dinner, at which Justice Marsha Steinhardt — a co-founder of the Kings Inn of Court Chapter — will be installed as BWBA president. The ceremony will take place at 5:30 p.m. on June 10 in the Kings County Supreme Court Central Jury Room, on the main floor of 360 Adams St. A reception will follow and those who would like to attend should RSVP by June 5 to [email protected]. Kings Inn June Gala Set For Red Gravy Restaurant President Justice Ellen Spodek announced that the Inn’s Gala would be held on June 16 at the Red Gravy Restaurant at 151 Atlantic Ave. in Brooklyn. There is no charge for members, but there will be a charge for guests. She asked that members promptly get in touch with Inn Administrator Lucinda DiSalvo at [email protected]. The Inn, now in its 40th year, has the assistance of other officers, including President-Elect Dave Chidekel, Counselor Justice Arthur Schack, Treasurer Justice Miriam Cyrulnik and Secretary Jon Besunder. Immediate past president is Marc M. Dittenhoefer. Executive Director is Jeff Feldman. These Inns, following the practice of the ancient English Inns of Court — celebrating their 800th year of service to the profession — are each governed by a Board of Masters that includes Appellate Division Justice Cheryl Chambers, Judge Joanne Quinones, Justice Carl Landicino, Federal Judge William Kuntz, Kings Criminal Court Chief Judge Barry Kamins, Appellate Division Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix, Hon. Gloria Cohen Aronin, Lawrence DiGiovanna, Mark Longo, Steve Harkavy, Victoria Lombardi, Steve Finkelstein, Steve Goolnick, Joseph Rosato and Paul Weitz. The Kings Inn, a chapter of the U.S. Inns of Court, was founded by Justice Marsha Steinhardt, retired Justices Gerard Rosenberg and Abraham Gerges and former Justice Edward Rappaport, who serves as president emeritus. PRO BONO BARRISTER is a weekly column dedicated to telling about the good that lawyers do. Send your comments or suggestions to this writer care of this newspaper or to [email protected]. __________________________ Notice: Readers seeking legal rep- resentation on a Pro Bono Publico basis should not contact this colum- nist. Rather, they should seek out the Brooklyn Bar Association Volunteer Lawyers Project at 718-624-3894. Monday, June 2, 2014 • Brooklyn Daily Eagle • 5 Jurists, Colleagues Pack Courtroom for Irwin Kosover Tribute A view of the packed JCP courtroom, with scores of justices who attended to honor Irwin Kosover. At the podium is Steve Harkavy. Photos by Verena Mentzel Otey Justice Landicino To Induct Bart Russo as New Columbians President More than 200 members of the bar, jurists and members of the Kosover family paid tribute to the late Irwin Kosover last Thursday in a memorable, precedent-setting pro- gram, during which speakers out- lined the legendary trial lawyer’s accomplishments. Acting under the auspices of Administrative Judge for Civil Matters Justice Lawrence Knipel, a committee headed by Steve Harkavy and an Eagle columnist told stories that exemplified Kosover’s steady professionalism and unique sense of humor, embodied by his often-pro- nounced motto, “I’d Never Hurt Another Lawyer.” His motto was inscribed on a plaque that was given to his two daughters, Carole and Amy, who traveled to Brooklyn in memory of their dad. Kosover passed away last Labor Day. “Pro Bono” publishes here four photos taken in the JCP courtroom. Many more will appear in a later edi- tion of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. Shown are: Pictured, left to right, are Eagle Publisher Dozier Hasty, Justice Mark Partnow and attorney Neil Foreman. ABOVE: Hosting the event was Admin-istrative Justice for Civil Matters Lawrence Knipel (standing, center) with a committee led by Steve Harkavy (second from left) and “Pro Bono Basrrister” columnist Chuck Otey (far left). Others standing are retired Justice Joseph Levine, a friend of Irwin Kosover since they attended middle school, and Mark Longo, who recalled Kosover's courtroom and lawyers room style. Seated are Irwin Kosover’s daughters, Carole and Amy, who journeyed to Brooklyn for the tribute. AT RIGHT: Roger Siegal's smile is indicative of the camaraderie that enveloped Thursday’s cer- emony honoring Irwin Kosover, depicted on the plaque at front. Appellate Division Justice Sylvia Hinds-Radix gave a stirring tribute to late attorney Irwin Kosover.