Every year, at our Zero Tolerance Benefit, Sanctuary for Families honors those who have significantly contributed to the movement to end gender-based violence. This year, we are thrilled to present the 2025 Zero Tolerance Award to Stacey J. Rappaport, Partner at Milbank LLP and member of Sanctuary’s Board of Directors.
INTRODUCING STACEY
Stacey J. Rappaport is a partner in Milbank’s Litigation & Arbitration Group in New York and a former member of the firm’s Global Executive Committee. Known for exceptional client service, versatility, and attention to detail, Stacey represents some of the nation’s leading financial services companies and their life insurance subsidiaries in class action and life settlement investor litigation. Stacey has been recognized in many industry publications, including Chambers and Benchmark Litigation. She has twice been honored as Euromoney Insurance and Reinsurance Lawyer of the Year and, for the past three years, she has been recognized in Lawdragon 500 Leading Litigators in America.
Stacey has been a passionate advocate for the advancement of women for her entire career. In 2009, she launched Milbank’s Women’s Initiative and served as its first chair. She created and led several programs as a member of the New York City Bar Association Committee on Women in the Legal Profession. She currently serves on the board of UC Law San Francisco’s Equality Action Center, which seeks to advance gender, racial, and class equality in the workplace. Stacey is also an active alumna of Fordham Law School, where she serves on the Dean’s Planning Council, the board of the Fordham Law Alumni Association, and the board of Lincoln Square Legal Services, Inc. – Fordham’s faculty/student law clinic. In 2019, she received Fordham Law School’s Feerick Center for Social Justice “Champion of Justice” Award.
Stacey has taken on some of Sanctuary’s most challenging pro bono cases, including a case that she recently won before the New York Court of Appeals. Last year, her team won Sanctuary’s Above & Beyond Pro Bono Achievement Award for that matter, securing a divorce for a survivor after an arduous four-year litigation battle. She has also represented Sanctuary and partner organizations on several amicus briefs involving technology-related abuse, including in cases against Backpage and Grindr.
Stacey joined Sanctuary’s Board in 2016, serving as a member of the Development Committee and the Advocacy Committee, which she has co-chaired for the past four years. She has been instrumental in increasing Board support for Sanctuary’s pressing legislative priorities and program initiatives.
Stacey and her husband, Craig, live with their two children in New Jersey.
Join us for our Zero Tolerance Benefit on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, to honor survivors of gender violence and pay tribute to Stacey and three fellow inspirational leaders in this work.