The Chenango County Annual Law Day celebration will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Chenango County Courthouse in Norwich. The theme of the celebration is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” This year’s Liberty Bell award recipient is Paul G. Russo, a United States Air Force veteran and a Veterans Employment Representative with the NYS Department of Labor, who has worked with a variety of local veteran’s organizations for the last 34 years. (Submitted photo)

NORWICH - Chenango County’s 2026 Annual Law Day celebration will take place at 9 a.m. on Friday, May 1, at the Chenango County Courthouse in downtown Norwich.

The event is open to the public and all are encouraged to attend. Refreshments will be provided following the celebration.

Presiding over the annual celebration will be the Hon. Joseph A. McBride, the Hon. Frank B. Revoir, Jr., and the Hon. Diane M. Distefano.

The theme of this year’s celebration is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.”

The rule of law, the idea that no person is above the law, is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams.

This annual event, sponsored by the Chenango County Bar Association, will include the presentation of the 2026 Mock Trial Winning Team Award and the presentation of the 2026 Liberty Bell Award.

This year, the Greene High School Mock Trial Team won the county wide competition. Representatives from the Greene Central School District and the thirteen participating students will be in attendance to accept the award.

Historically, the biggest draw for the annual event is the presentation of the Liberty Bell award. The Chenango County Bar Association presents this award, each year, to a non-attorney, who through life example has promoted respect for the law and the Constitution.

The Liberty Bell Award was established more than 40 years ago to acknowledge outstanding service performed by a non-lawyer citizen who has given time and energy to strengthen the effectiveness of the American system of freedom under law, in keeping with the spirit of our Constitution.

It is awarded to someone who has promoted better understanding of the rule of law, encouraged greater respect for law and the courts, stimulated a sense of civic responsibility, or contributed to good government in the community.

This year’s Liberty Bell award recipient is Paul G. Russo.

Mr. Russo is a United States Air Force veteran, having served his country in the early to mid 1980's -overseas and at home. In the 1990's Paul served with the Army National Guard and was deployed to a variety of locations overseas.

Mr. Russo maintained a 30 year career serving as the Veterans Employment Representative with the NYS Department of Labor, with the core mission of assisting veterans in the pursuit of employment.

Mr. Russo has remained active with a variety of local veteran’s organizations for the last 34 years, including but not limited to, the Lt. Warren Eaton American Legion Post 189 in Norwich, where he has held numerous leadership positions.

Mr. Russo was also instrumental in establishing American Legion Riders in the State of New York and has maintained a leadership position with the local Legion Riders for the past 25 years. Mr. Russo has been the recipient of several awards for his service to veterans, at the local, state and national level.

He also remains active and serves on many local not-for-profit Boards of Directors here in Chenango County.

- Information courtesy of the Chenango County BAR Association