Donnalynn Darling Receives Robert W. Pearsall Corinthian Trophy

Donnalynn Darling, chairperson of the Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice department of the law firm of Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C., as well as the founder of the firm’s Special Education law practice, has been named the 2003 recipient of the Robert W. Pearsall Corinthian Trophy. Ms. Darling is one of only two women who have earned this distinction during the past 33 years. This unique award is presented by the Sea Cliff Yacht Club to an individual member for “Corinthianism” in yachting – an attribute which represents participation for sport as distinct from gain, and which also involves the acquisition of nautical experience through the love of sport rather through necessity or the hope of gain. The award was initiated in 1970 in honor of the late “Robby” Pearsall, an active club member, competitive sailor and yachtsman.

In his presentation of the award, Jack Rosenberg, a former honoree, stated that Donna Darling’s “genuine Corinthianism is very evident in many respects. An exemplary attorney by profession, she ran the Sea Cliff Yacht Club’s early childhood program for 10 years. She is a mother of two beautiful children and wife of the co-captain of the sailboat Reverie. She is the member of several professional societies, one in particular which works for and provides pro-bono counsel to parents needing help in obtaining educational benefits for special education children from their respective schools.” It was also noted that Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. is one of very few law firms to provide services in this area of the law. “We here at the Sea Cliff Yacht Club continue to benefit from Donna Darling’s endless energy,” stated Mr. Rosenberg.

Ms. Darling is the first woman governor of the 104 year old club, where she presently serves on the Flag and Board as Secretary and Chair of the Junior Activities Committee. She developed and designed a children’s summer program on swimming and boating safety for very young children. She also teaches an adult course in sailing. A competitive yacht racer, Ms. Darling has participated in the Cablevision Around Long Island Regatta, a 200-plus mile ocean race around Long Island. She also skippers a one design yacht at the annual Queens Cup Regatta, a 100 year old tradition of women-only racers.

Professionally, Donnalynn Darling is the founder and former co-chairperson of the Nassau County Bar Association Joint Committee of Attorneys and Accountants, established to promote the exchange of information between attorneys and accountants to better serve clients, the business community and the public. She serves as Counsel to the Glen Head Civic Association and is a Barrister of the distinguished Theodore Roosevelt American Inn of Court, a group whose purpose is to promote legal education among law students, members of the legal profession and the judiciary. Ms. Darling, a New York State Bar Association High School Mock Trial Tournament coach led her team at the Solomon Schecter High School to the Long Island semi-finals this year. A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Ms. Darling received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the State University of New York at Stony Brook, and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Buffalo School of Law. She is admitted to practice in New York, before the Eastern and Southern Districts of the Federal Courts, and before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.