The Eastern District Chapter of the Federal Bar Association hosted a reception at the U.S. Courthouse in Brooklyn on May 20 to honor the Federal Defenders and to focus attention on the impact sequestration budget cuts are having on the federal Judiciary and the Federal Defenders’ office. Some 100 people, mostly judges and lawyers, attended the event.

Here, from left, are Raymond Dowd, Second Circuit vice president, Federal Bar Association; Philip Schatz, SDNY Chapter president, Federal Bar Association; Robert Rando, past president, EDNY Chapter, Federal Bar Association; Eastern District Chief Judge Carol Bagley Amon; Eastern District U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch; David Patton, executive director, Federal Defenders; and George Davidson, chairman, board of directors, Federal Defenders.