Salisbury man named Pro Bono Attorney of the Month

Longtime bankruptcy attorney Harold Somer believes that practicing law is a privilege, not a right, and that every lawyer has an obligation to give back. For 20 years, he has done just that, logging in hundreds of hours of pro bono bankruptcy assistance to help those in financial crisis. For this reason, the Nassau County Bar Association named him the Pro Bono Attorney of the Month in April.

“It’s nice to be recognized,” he said about receiving the award. “It’s an honor, but there are other guys who deserved it as much as I do.”

Somer voluntarily assists Nassau County residents who are filing for bankruptcy and foreclosure. He also represents them in court as needed. He accommodates clients needs, working late into the night and heading into the office on the weekend.

“I thought it was important to give back the community,” he said. “I believe we should all be giving back and I’m glad that I’m able to help people. Sometimes just talking can be helpful.”

This is the third time Somer has received this honor. He also received the Exceptional Law School Service Award from the Alumni Association of Touro Law Center in 2008. In its first graduating class, Somer is now the president of the Alumni Association.

Somer grew up in South Valley Stream and has lived in Salisbury with his family for the last 12 years. He runs his own practice, Harold M. Somer PC, in Garden City.