Hanna's Circle

Hanna Cohn graduated from George Washington University Law Center in 1977 and soon after moved to Rochester to begin her legal career with the Monroe County Legal Assistance Corporation, where she worked until 1983. She then became Executive Director of the Volunteer Legal Services Project, a role she held for the remainder of her life. In that position, Hanna was known for her exceptional ability to recruit and inspire volunteers to provide free legal services to those in need. She led impactful initiatives including AIDS outreach, domestic violence response efforts, and tenant representation programs. She also founded the annual Campaign for Justice, a collaborative fundraising effort supporting multiple legal service providers.

Hanna’s dedication to public service earned her significant recognition. She was named Young Lawyer of the Year by the New York State Bar Association and was the first recipient of the Pro Bono Award from the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.

Hanna was also a founding member of the Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA) and served as its president from 1988 to 1989. She contributed her energy, leadership, and insight to numerous committees and initiatives, playing a key role in shaping the organization’s growth and influence. A dedicated mentor and connector, Hanna left a lasting legacy within GRAWA. Following her untimely death at age 50, the organization honored her by naming its prestigious mentoring award after her and establishing a fund in her name to support members facing financial hardship. Her passing left a profound void in both the Rochester community and the legal profession.

Out of commitment to GRAWA and the legacy of family, camaraderie and women in the profession, please join Hanna’s Circle and make a leadership contribution. Your example will inspire others to make this contribution now or in the future as their circumstances allow. What a wonderful legacy to our extraordinary organization and to Hanna Cohn!