In a career characterized by unwavering dedication to justice and reform, Professor Steve Zeidman stands out as a pioneering voice in criminal defense, social justice, and clemency advocacy. This year, Hudson Link proudly honors him with the Bill Webber Award, an annual recognition given to individuals who have made a profound impact on communities affected by mass incarceration and the criminal legal system.
A graduate of Duke University School of Law, Zeidman has spent over 25 years championing the rights of the underserved. As the Founder and Co-Director of the Second Look Project: Beyond Guilt and the Defenders Clinic, he has pioneered efforts to reform excessive sentencing and promote clemency across New York State.
His tenure as a respected trial lawyer and former supervisor at the Legal Aid Society laid the foundation for a teaching career that has spanned esteemed institutions like Fordham, Pace, and New York University. His contributions to academia have been recognized through prestigious awards such as the NYU Alumni Association’s Great Teacher Award (1997) and CUNY’s Outstanding Professor of the Year (2011).
Beyond the classroom, Zeidman has been instrumental in several reform initiatives. He has served on the Advisory Council for the Floyd v. City of New York stop-and-frisk litigation and participated in numerous statewide commissions, including the Commission on the Future of Indigent Defense Services. His insights have been sought on various legal issues across the state, from judicial selection to the effective assistance of counsel.
We are proud to celebrate Steve Zeidman as this year’s Bill Webber Awardee, honoring his extraordinary contributions to social justice and his direct impact on Hudson Link’s alumni. Through his advocacy and legal expertise, Steve has helped many of our graduates navigate clemency and sentencing reforms, offering them a second chance at justice and a brighter future. Join us in “A New Era” as we honor Steve by sponsoring or purchasing tickets to this year’s Spring Benefit and stay tuned for upcoming announcements and updates.
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