Three Central New York Women Honored at NY State Bar Awards

Three distinguished women from Central New York will be honored at the New York State Bar Association’s 150th anniversary award ceremony on March 15, 2024, in Manhattan. The awards recognize significant contributions to the legal field and highlight the achievements of female legal professionals in the region.

Hon. Mae A. D’Agostino, a United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York, will receive the Outstanding Jurist Award. This accolade acknowledges her exceptional service and contributions since her appointment in 2011. Judge D’Agostino’s career began as a trial attorney at the firm of D’Agostino, Krackeler, Maguire & Cardona PC. She graduated magna cum laude from Siena College and later earned her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law.

Judge D’Agostino has a robust legal background, with over three decades of practice in various civil cases, including medical malpractice and labor law. She notably tried the first case in the Northern District of New York involving the Americans with Disabilities Act. Her numerous accolades include the Young Lawyer Award from the New York State Bar Association in 1989 and the Edward S. Conway Award from the Capital District Trial Lawyers Association.

In addition to her judicial duties, Judge D’Agostino is dedicated to civic education, traveling statewide to teach about the judicial branch. Her efforts have brought hundreds of students to the James T. Foley Courthouse for educational programs on the Constitution and the law.

Kaitlyn M. Guptill, of Lynn Law Firm LLP in Syracuse, will be awarded the Sheldon Hurtwitz Young Lawyer Award. This honor recognizes her contributions in the field of insurance law. Guptill’s experience includes serving as both a felony trial prosecutor and appellate attorney in the Onondaga County District Attorney’s Office, which has given her valuable insights into legal strategy and best practices.

Her commitment to justice extends to her role as treasurer on the executive board of the Central New York Women’s Bar Association. Guptill received the Beacon Award from the same association in 2024, highlighting her community contributions and mentorship to aspiring lawyers. She also holds a certification in child abuse interviewing skills, which enhances her ability to represent vulnerable victims effectively.

Hon. Deborah Karalunas, a Supreme Court Justice for Onondaga County, will be presented with the Betty D. Friedlander Award for Trial Excellence. This award acknowledges her significant impact on the legal profession throughout New York State. Karalunas graduated cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law and has built a distinguished career since her clerkship with Judge Howard G. Munson in the Northern District of New York.

Justice Karalunas has presided over a diverse array of civil cases and was appointed as presiding justice of the Supreme Court, Commercial Division, Onondaga County, in 2007. She actively participates in various legal organizations and committees, including serving as chair of the 5th Judicial District Women in the Courts Committee. Her contributions to legal education are notable; she teaches New York civil practice at the College of Law and frequently lectures on substantive law and trial practice.

The recognition of these three legal professionals underscores the growing influence and achievements of women in the legal field. Their awards not only celebrate personal accomplishments but also serve as an inspiration to future generations of lawyers. As the New York State Bar Association commemorates its 150th anniversary, the contributions of these women reflect the enduring legacy of leadership and excellence within the legal community.