Since assuming her current title at the Department of Homeless Services (DHS) in 2006, General Counsel Michele Ovesey has exemplified great legal service to the City of New York and to homeless clients in need. On Wednesday, December 14, in recognition of her outstanding work ethic and impeccable litigation instincts, the New York City Law Department honored Michele at its 30th annual awards ceremony.

Receiving the 2011 Dorothy Marie Miner Award (named after longstanding counsel of the Landmarks Preservation Commission, Dorothy Marie Miner), Michele was celebrated for her record of excellence in representing the City over the course of her career. Most notably, she played a large role in settling the McCain litigation in 2008, which ended 25 years of court oversight pertaining to the families’ shelter system.

Prior to coming to DHS in 2005, Michele joined the Law Department’s Family Court Division in 1979 and subsequently worked in General Litigation from 1980 to 1985. Thereafter, she entered into private practice before returning to her public service roots.

Each year, the Dorothy Marie Miner Award is presented to an attorney with at least three years of legal service to an agency, who exemplifies distinguished performance, dedication and initiative throughout his or her career. During Michele’s tenure with DHS, she has demonstrated a clear understanding for the nuances of social services law and defended the agency, as it continues to ambitiously and effectively address homelessness across the five boroughs.

"I am deeply honored to receive this award, which I share with my wonderful legal and legal support staff at 33 Beaver [DHS’ headquarters], PATH [DHS’ family intake center] and AFIC [DHS’ adult family intake center]," Michele said graciously. "This includes my right hand, Deputy General Counsel Doug James, whose talents go way beyond the purely legal and my left hand, Frances Rolon, who facilitates my job in countless ways."

Michele also attributes her successes to the outpouring of support given to her by DHS’ Commissioner and her fellow members of the agency’s Executive team. 

"I share this award with Commissioner Seth Diamond who always provides me with crucial support and is a deponent and trial witness extraordinaire, with First Deputy Commissioner Fran Winter who has helped me resolve the most complicated of issues, and with the other members of Executive Staff who are the best ‘clients’ ever," she said.  "I also share this award with each and every member of DHS who works 24 hours a day, every day, to make New York City’s homeless shelter and preventative services system the gold standard for the rest of the nation." 

DHS congratulates Michele on her achievements and thanks her for her unyielding commitment to the City of New York.