The Lawyers Committee of Inner-City Scholarship Fund raised $930,000 for Catholic education within the Archdiocese of New York at the 34th annual Saint Thomas More Award Luncheon on Friday, October 27.

Stephen J. Brogan of Jones Day received the Saint Thomas More Award, presented by Archdiocese of New York Auxiliary Bishop Edmund J. Whalen. Brogan was the managing partner of Jones Day from 2002 to 2022. He was previously the partner-in-charge for the firm’s Washington office from 1998 until 2002. Since 1990, the Saint Thomas More Award has been given to a member of the legal profession who exemplifies the virtues of Saint Thomas More: scholarship, leadership, loyalty to God and country; and service to the legal profession.

Dana L. Mark was presented with the John P. Cooney, Jr., Award for Membership and Community Involvement. Mark is a partner in private wealth services in the New York office of Smith, Gambrell & Russell, L.L.P. The award celebrates the high ideals and standards that its namesake demonstrated in his legal career and personal life.

Yulibeth Aquino was the Inner-City Scholarship Fund Featured Student. A senior at St. Raymond Academy for Girls and a Scholarship Fund recipient, Aquino told audience members she intends to pursue a career in criminal law or neurosurgery upon graduation.

The Lawyers Committee is made up of some of the most distinguished members of New York’s legal community and has long been a very active and effective ally in Inner-City’s effort to help inner-city students and their families.

Inner-City Scholarship Fund changes lives for the better by providing families with demonstrable financial needs the opportunity to give their children a quality, values-based K-12 Catholic education within the Archdiocese of New York. Inner-City exists to ensure that an excellent Catholic school education continues to be a viable option for students of all faiths today and for future generations. Approximately 72% of Inner-City-supported students live at or below the poverty line, yet an astonishing 99% percent of seniors attending inner-city Catholic high schools graduate, and 98% are accepted to colleges and universities across the nation.