Miami – On Friday, February 25, 2011, at its annual celebration for Black History Month, host delancyhill P.A., in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), North Miami and the minority law students associations of the University of Miami, Florida International University, St. Thomas University, and Nova Southeastern University will honor attorney John Kozyak for his inspiring advocacy in fostering mentorship opportunities for minority law students in Florida.
The reception will host clients, firm partners, and community leaders from 6:30-8:30PM and will precede the monthly Jazz at MOCA series with Nicole Henry on the plaza of the Museum, 770 NE 125th Street, in North Miami.
This commemorative 7th year celebration of Black History Month is the continuing inspiration of the law firm of delancyhill, P.A. which created the award of Firm Partner Star, previously bestowed on Ruth Shack, Dorothy Jenkins-Fields, David Wilson, Babacar M’Bow, Commissioner Betty T. Ferguson, and Cheryl Little for their ”contributions in uplifting African-American communities of the South Florida”.
Atty. John Kozyak
This year, Honoree, John Kozyak, is a founding partner of Kozyak Tropin & Throckmorton and co-chairs the firm’s bankruptcy practice. He has been recognized by Best Lawyers In America, in every edition since it was first published in 1983. In 2006, Mr. Kozyak received the prestigious Florida Bar President’s Pro Bono Service Award and the Florida Bar’s highest award for humanitarianism, The G. Kirk Haas Humanitarian Award. In 2007, John received the ABA’s “Spirit of Excellence” award for his work in diversity. Mr. Kozyak has passionately promoted diversity and inclusion in the community, with particular emphasis on mentoring programs for black law school students throughout Florida and in St. Louis. The minority mentoring programs at the University of Miami and St. Thomas Schools of Law are now named in his honor. During the past ten years, he has personally matched more than 900 black students throughout Florida with judges and lawyers, who serve as mentors.
”John is a lawyer’s lawyer. He has a genuine concern for the professional development and success of minority law students. His efforts will have a trans-generational impact on the legal profession and the black community across Florida,” stated Marlon A. Hill, partner, delancyhill.
“John sets a wonderful example of what it means not only be a great attorney, but also a great human being. He is an amazing mentor,” commented Nathalie Cadet-James, attorney and a mentee of John Kozyak.
“We are proud to host in MOCA’s Paradise Courtyard the celebration of our community’s Black History and to honor John Kozyak for his tireless contributions,” noted Bonnie Clearwater, Museum of Contemporary Art Executive Director and Chief Curator.
