October 9 – 11, 2025
Welcome to the Trial Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar Association! Our Section is dedicated to supporting and enhancing the practice of trial law through a variety of resources, events, and opportunities for professional growth.
Our members share, learn and grow in a collaborative manner by bringing together leading and influential trial lawyers in New York State.
Here, you will find a comprehensive listing of links relevant to our Section, details about the National Trial Competition Region 2 for law students, information on scholarships for attorneys committed to diversity, and updates on upcoming networking and CLE events.
Our online community is an excellent resource. This is a hub where members can share ideas, seek opinions and guidance, foster a collaborative environment, and network to enhance their professional knowledge.
SECTION BENEFITS
Joining the Trial Lawyers Section provides a world of opportunities:
Our Events
Annual Meetings: Participate in our annual destination meeting and the NYSBA Annual Meeting, featuring esteemed presenters, thought-provoking discussions, and first-class networking opportunities.
Special Events: Enjoy our destination meetings with CLE sessions in fun locations, offering a blend of education and relaxation.
CLE Programs: Our Section collaborates with the Torts, Insurance, and Compensation Law Section to offer CLE programs during the NYSBA Annual Meeting, and we host additional CLE events throughout the year. NYSBA members get free access to these CLE resources!
More Reasons to Join the Trial Lawyers Section
Awards and Recognition: Celebrate achievements and contributions of outstanding members through various awards and accolades.
Career Development: Benefit from mentorship opportunities, job postings, and resources to enhance your skills and expand your legal knowledge.
Advocacy and Influence: Play a proactive role in shaping legislative policies, advocating for reforms, and influencing decision-making processes that impact trial law.
Get Involved!
There are many ways to get involved with the Trial Lawyers Section, and we welcome fresh ideas! Here’s how you can contribute:
Networking Opportunities
Annual Destination Meetings: Join us for CLE opportunities and networking events in exciting locations.
Regional Receptions: Participate in regional networking receptions and programs held throughout the year to recognize distinguished members of the bench and bar.
CLE Events: Gain insights from experienced professionals at our virtual and in-person CLE events. NYSBA members get free access to these resources!
Social Gatherings: Enjoy social events that foster camaraderie and strengthen relationships within the legal community.
More Reasons to Join the Trial Lawyers Section
Continuing Legal Education: Access a wide range of topics relevant to trial practice, including litigation strategies, courtroom technology, and ethics. NYSBA members get free access to these resources!
Online Forums: Engage in online discussion forums where members can exchange ideas, seek advice, and share experiences. NYSBA members get free access to these resources!
Networking: Build relationships with judges, expert witnesses, and other key stakeholders in the legal community.
Career Advancement: Take advantage of opportunities for career advancement and recognition through awards, honors, and leadership positions.
Collaboration: Collaborate with legal experts and industry professionals to stay updated on emerging trends and developments in trial law.
Advocacy Initiatives: Participate in advocacy initiatives to advance the interests of trial lawyers and promote fair legal practices.
Become a Section Member Today!
Joining the Trial Lawyers Section will help you stay on top of the continuously evolving field of trial law and connect with peers who share your interests. Embrace the opportunity to grow professionally and make meaningful connections. Become a member today and be part of a dynamic and supportive community dedicated to excellence in legal practice.
CONTACT US
We encourage you to get more involved with the Section. Whether it’s writing articles, planning networking events, or assisting the Executive Committee, there are plenty of ways to contribute. To get involved, contact any member of the Executive Committee or staff liaison Gina Bartosiewicz
gbartosiewicz@nysba.org
(518) 487-5671
Please do not contact the Section liaison with a request for legal advice or an attorney referral. You can instead visit our ‘Public Resources’ or ‘Lawyer Referral Service’ page for this type of request.
Brett D. French, Esq.Counsel at the School Administrators Association of New York State
The French Firm, P.C., Albany, NY
Brett D. French, Esq., serves in both private and in-house capacities as an attorney and trial lawyer, licensed to practice in the State of New York, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the State of Florida.
In his private capacity, Brett is the founding attorney of The French Firm, P.C., a private law practice located in Colonie, New York, focused predominantly on civil and commercial litigation matters including construction litigation, personal injury litigation and corporate disputes. Brett also represents companies and individuals with regard to regulatory and disciplinary investigations and hearings, such as professional licensing issues, as well as Title IX matters involving higher education institutions. Brett litigates matters throughout New York, Massachusetts, and Florida, and also handles matter via pro hac vice status throughout the country.
In his in-house capacity, Brett serves as Counsel to the School Administrators Association of New York State, located in Albany, New York, where Brett provides legal advice to more than 20,000 public school administrators and officials throughout the State of New York, involving matters of New York Education Law, the Taylor Law, and various other employment/labor laws and polices.
Brett earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law, in Syracuse, New York and his Bachelor of Arts at Stonehill College, in Easton, Massachusetts.
Brett is a lifelong resident of the Capital District of Upstate, New York.
Newly released issues are restricted to Section & Committee Members only for the first 90 days, after which they become available to all members.
The Trial Lawyers Section Digest features peer-written substantive articles and case summaries relating to the practice of trial law. The Trial Lawyers Section Digest is published by the Trial Lawyers Section and distributed to Section Members free of charge.
The Digest is published as a benefit for members of the Trial Lawyers Section and is copyrighted by the New York State Bar Association.
Looking for specific articles from our issues? Explore our library of individual articles, available from current and past editions.
View article library
The Trial Lawyers Section’s Annual Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award recognizes a Trial Attorney who has shown exceptional dedication to addressing and raising awareness about issues of equity, diversity, and inclusion.
This year, the Trial Lawyers will honor Jacqueline Hattar from Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker LLP during their 5th Annual Awards Ceremony.
Jacqueline was nominated by the Westchester Women’s Bar Association for her exceptional dedication to advancing and raising awareness about issues related to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Congratulations, Jacqueline!
Learn more about Jacqueline by clicking the button below.
The NYSBA Trial Lawyers Section presents awards for exceptional service to the legal profession and the community. These awards cover various aspects of the legal and judicial systems, and nominations are open to everyone, not just Trial Lawyers Section members.
Mark your calendars for the prestigious Awards Reception on January 16, 2025, during the New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting. This event has become a revered tradition, bringing together Trial Lawyers Section members to honor and celebrate outstanding achievements within the legal community.
The Awards Reception serves as a tribute to the collective dedication and accomplishments that define the Trial Lawyers landscape. It’s a chance to express gratitude and admiration for individuals whose impactful contributions have made a lasting impression on the legal community.
For the past 40 years, the Trial Lawyers Section of the New York State Bar Association has had the privilege of sponsoring the New York Regional Round of the National Trial Competition, the country’s oldest and most prestigious mock trial competition for law students. The mission of the NTC is to “encourage and strengthen students’ advocacy skills through quality competition and valuable interaction with members of the bench and bar. The program is designed to expose law students to the nature of trial practice and to serve as a supplement to their education.”
New York Court of Appeals Links
Court Resources
Criminal Law Resources
Legal Research Resources
January 31, 2025
February, 2022
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