Associate, Proskauer Rose
LLP
2009 Annual Luncheon Honoree:
Recent Graduate Service Award
Ronald Palmese, `03, is an associate in the Corporate Department
of Proskauer Rose LLP in the New York office. Mr. Palmese has a
broad-based transactional practice with experience in corporate
finance, mergers and acquisitions, public and private securities
offerings, venture capital and private equity and the general
representation of public and private companies.
Although immersed in corporate matters, Mr. Palmese has quickly
demonstrated his commitment to the community through his active
involvement in pro-bono activities. According to Mr. Palmese,
“The practice of law is about service. Although serving the
needs of the Firms paying clients is important, equally important,
however, is service to the community at large.”
Pro- bono activities have allowed Mr. Palmese to define himself as
something more than just a corporate legal eagle. Mr. Palmese
has been recognized by his fellow St. John’s Law alumni and
Proskaur’s senior management as an individual with a strong desire
to give something back to the community through applied legal
service outside his general areas of practice. In recent
years, he has advocated on behalf of homeless individuals with
varying legal issues, and has provided legal services to a newly
formed not-for-profit entity, “a Journey for 9-11,” the goal of
which is to raise money for first responders on September 11, 2001
who have developed medical illnesses. George Martin, former
N.Y. Giant football player and founder of “a Journey for 9-11”,
requested legal assistance from Proskauer and Mr. Palmese answered
the call. He has assisted the organization in all areas of
corporate law, from incorporation to registering it as a charitable
organization, to drafting contracts with sponsors and vendors.
Pro-bono activity is not his only means of giving back to the
community. Mr. Palmese is also one of the co-chairs at
Proskauer for the The Legal Aid Society’s Associate’s Campaign
which raises money from associates to fund its own pro-bono
efforts. He serves in a similar capacity for the St. John’s
Law Firm Challenge. He was recently honored, alongside
Proskauer Chairman, Allen Fagin by the New York Nativity Schools
for his service to the school. On January 30, 2009, Mr.
Palmese will be honored by St. John’s Law School at the Annual
Alumni Luncheon as the Recent Graduate Service Award recipient.
Mr. Palmese, the Editor-in-Chief of the St. John’s Law Review
while attending St. John’s Law, advises the Class of 2009, “Make
the most of your talent. Don’t settle for the status quo when you
know that you have greater ability. Live your life to the
fullest. Should you fail at first…keep trying until you
realize success.”