BY JODI SOKOLOWSKI
Buffalo Law Journal

Cindy O'Bara was recognized in Albany Friday for going "above and beyond the call of duty" in her role as secretary to Hon. Shirley Troutman of Erie County Court.

O'Bara, who organizes the local court's public-education activities, was recognized with one of four New York State Unified Court System Merit Performance Awards. Since O'Bara played an instrumental role in the 8th Judicial District's Law Day program, it was fitting that she received the award during the state's Law Day celebrations.

Hon. Judith Kaye, chief judge of the New York State Court of Appeals, presented O'Bara and three other state court employees with Merit Awards for superior work performance, heroism, community service and humanitarian pursuits and, in O'Bara's case, "outstanding educational efforts."

Troutman said she recommended O'Bara for the award because "unsung heroes" don't often get recognized.

"I nominated her because of the way she does her daily job," Troutman said. "When people call her on many different issues, her professionalism, her patience and her desire to help people is extraordinary."

Because Troutman has a hectic schedule as a trial judge, she relies heavily on O'Bara to follow through on programs put on by the 8th Judicial District's Committee to Promote Public Confidence in the Courts, which Troutman chairs.

"Anything I want to do, she does it with as much passion as I do," Troutman said.

O'Bara particularly enjoys bringing students in for Law Day because she sees firsthand, when scheduling pre-sentencing investigations, how a single decision can change a young person's life.

"She enjoys doing such programs and showing them there are opportunities and that their future is important," Troutman said.