Practice Area: Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights

International Human Rights Experts To Discuss Justice for Sexual Violence Victims at the 2025 Presidential Summit

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Wartime sexual violence and human trafficking bring tremendous anguish to victims, but laws are rarely enforced, and perpetrators are rarely punished. The New York State Bar Association will amplify efforts to support survivors and pursue justice for victims in its upcoming Presidential Summit. “Human traffickers often take their victims across borders, making it difficult to … Continued

Couldn’t Attend the Partnership Conference? Watch it On-Demand

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Hundreds of civil legal service attorneys attended the New York State Bar Association’s Partnership Conference at Albany’s Capital Center in October. If you could not attend, you can now view more than a dozen continuing legal education courses from the event on demand. The event offered more than two dozen programs and panels educating lawyers … Continued

New York State Bar Association Honors Westchester Attorney for Promoting Diversity in the Legal Profession

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Jacqueline Hattar was presented with the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award in a virtual ceremony on Oct. 9. Hattar, a partner at Wilson Elser Moskowitz Edelman & Dicker, advises individuals, small businesses, and property owners on tort liability, wrongful death, construction accidents and labor law matters. She has spearheaded diversity efforts at her firm including … Continued

Public Housing Tenants Face Legal Obstacle Course To Get Repairs

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Public housing tenants in New York State often find it difficult to get needed repairs and maintenance. A New York State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education course discussed how lawyers can be part of the solution, and the steps needed to empower tenants in tackling these issues. Anna Luft, public housing justice project director at … Continued

Understanding the Impact of the Muhammad Ali Case

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There is no denying the impact Muhammad Ali had on the sport of boxing, yet a recent essay by a past president of the New York State Bar Association, T. Andrew Brown, details how his career and his willingness to hold firm to his beliefs changed much more than a sport. Brown also provides a … Continued

New York State Bar Association Decries Rise in Hate Crimes

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Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the alarming rise in hate crimes reported by the New York State Office of the Comptroller: “I am saddened but unfortunately not surprised by the steady rise and alarming increase in hate crimes in New York State. It is painful … Continued

Tackling Gender-Based Violence Around the Globe

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Gender-based violence, or threats, abuse, or harm to a person on the basis of sex and/or gender, is a pervasive problem throughout the world – but there are many ways to combat it. At an event co-hosted by the New York State Bar Association and the Milan Bar Association, international experts delved into the difficulties … Continued

New York State Bar Association To Host Program To Aid Human Trafficking Victims, Connect Lawyers With Pro Bono Opportunities

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Human trafficking – labor that is forced through fraud or coercion – is often hidden in plain sight. From 2007 to 2021, the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking identified 2,137 victims in the state including more than 500 minors. About two-thirds were exploited for sexual acts while the rest engaged in … Continued