Practice Area: Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights

NYSBA President Calls the Selection of Justice Joseph Zayas as Chief Administrative Judge the Perfect Choice for New York

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Chief Judge Rowan Wilson’s selection of Joseph Zayas, associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, as chief administrative judge: “Judge Joseph Zayas’ appointment to be New York’s next chief administrative judge is historic. He is the first Latino judge … Continued

State Budget Makes Progress Toward Protecting Legal Access for Children & Indigent Adults, But More Must Be Done

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the assigned counsel language included in the 2023-24 state budget bills passing today: “We appreciate that Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have recognized the state’s responsibility to protect the constitutional right to counsel for children and indigent adults … Continued

President of New York State Bar Association Calls Judge Rowan Wilson’s Historic Confirmation a Significant Milestone

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the state Senate’s confirmation of Judge Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York: “The historic appointment and confirmation of Judge Rowan D. Wilson as New York’s first African-American chief … Continued

Vivian Wesson on AI, Facial Recognition and the Law

Technology can both help and hurt in the cause of justice. In a fascinating conversation, Vivian Wesson shares with host David Miranda how artificial intelligence and facial recognition are being used in both criminal and civil law. Wesson says the technology can unearth biases when it cannot distinguish between races of people and lead to … Continued

New York State Bar Association Welcomes Revisions to The Bar Application, Urges Further Action To Encourage Diversity In The Legal Profession

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement today about the New York State courts’ decision to amend Question 26 of the Character and Fitness examination of the New York State bar application: “We appreciate New York State’s courts acknowledgement of the chilling effect the previous Question 26 … Continued

New York State Bar Association Is Studying the Impact of Facial Recognition Software on Individual Freedom

The New York State Bar Association is examining the legal and ethical implications and the impact on personal freedom of corporations employing facial recognition software to ban their adversaries – and every lawyer who works for a firm that represents them — from entering sports and entertainment venues. The association’s Executive Committee on Wednesday launched … Continued

Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Honors Three Outstanding Attorneys During Annual Meeting

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion honored three outstanding attorneys during the association’s Annual Meeting  in New York City. Retired federal Judge Randolph Treece and Ross Moskowitz, a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, received the John E. Higgins Diversity Trailblazer Award and Ronelle Porter was named the … Continued