28th Annual Abely Awards

In loving memory of Maryellen Abely
September 29, 2025
Hosted by Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

 

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Thank you for joining us to celebrate the monumental accomplishments of our 2025 Abely honorees, Nadia Murad and Garrard R. Beeney.

Established 28 years ago, the Abely Awards honor the memory of Maryellen Abely, an alumna of Columbia Law School, an associate at Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, and a pro bono attorney at Sanctuary for Families’ Legal Center.

Maryellen was a tireless advocate for the rights of victims of domestic abuse and one of the first pro bono attorneys at the Legal Center. After a long battle with cancer, she died in 1995. In remembering Maryellen, we celebrate the contributions of pro bono attorneys, law students, and legal assistants whose efforts enable Sanctuary to serve thousands of domestic violence victims each year.

2025 ABELY HONOREES


ABELY LEADING WOMEN AND CHILDREN TO SAFETY AWARD
Nadia Murad
Human Rights Activist | Nobel Peace Prize Awardee
Founder, Nadia’s Initiative


ABELY PRO BONO AWARD
Garrard R. Beeney
Of Counsel, Sullivan & Cromwell LLP

Our thanks to Davis Polk for graciously hosting this event, to Columbia Law School Dean Daniel Abebe for sharing such powerful remarks, and to our Legal Advisory Council for the months of preparation that went into this year’s celebration.

For any questions regarding the event, please contact Geny Kimbrell at gkimbrell@sffny.org.