Norwich — The New London County Bar Association on Friday honored Karen Florin, The Day's longtime court reporter, with its Liberty Bell Award, crediting her for promoting a better understanding of the rule of law and greater respect for the courts.

NLCBA presents the annual award to a lawyer or nonlawyer in honor of the American Bar Association's Law Day theme; this year's theme was "Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society."

After remarks from Norwich Superior Court Judge Nuala Droney, Florin in a ceremony at the Spa at Norwich Inn accepted the award on behalf of all journalists, including those killed in the June 2018 mass shooting at the Capital Gazette in Annapolis, Md., survivors who put out a paper the following morning, and her colleagues at The Day.

"These are not easy times for journalists, but we persist," Florin said. "We're in the courts, police stations, town halls and schools, doing our part to inform the public and hold those in power accountable."

NLCBA President Kristi Hanney said the group was pleased to honor Florin, noting her work covering the New London and Norwich courts has been "vital to ensuring the legal system remains transparent and accessible to the public."