State court system taps business leaders to foster access to justice

NBCUniversal executive vice president and general counsel Kimberley D. Harris will lead the Business Council for Access to Justice. Photo via Comcast

By Rachel Vick

The state’s top judge has tapped some of New York’s top business leaders to help drive access to justice for all litigants and defendants.

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore on Monday announced the establishment of the Business Council for Access to Justice, a coalition of private sector executives and corporate attorneys who will work alongside the New York State Permanent Commission on Access to Justice. The new group will focus on closing the justice gap for businesses in low-income communities while providing pro bono legal services through their corporate counsel.

Addressing inequities in the business sector with the insight from a knowledgeable group will aid the efforts to inform the community at large, DiFiore said.

“At a time when our justice system is up against so many challenges arising from COVID-19, we are fortunate to be able to call upon the experience of business leaders who know what it takes to successfully lead large organizations through turbulent times,” DiFiore said.

Eric F. Grossman, managing director and chief legal officer of Morgan Stanley, and Kimberley D. Harris, executive vice president and general counsel of NBCUniversal will lead the initiative. 

The council is made up of attorneys from major corporate entities, including Major League Baseball, the New York Mets and the Mount Sinai Health System.