Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the approval of the 2024-25 state budget: Indigent Legal Services Fund “The New York State Bar Association is disappointed with the sweep of millions of dollars from the Indigent Legal Services Fund to the general fund in the 2024-25 budget. … Continued
In recent years, dispute resolution service providers, professional associations and court-annexed ADR programs have launched initiatives to increase diversity, equity and inclusion among dispute resolution practitioners. These programs seek to recruit, train and support members of historically underrepresented communities in the mediation and arbitration fields and provide them with the necessary training and experience to … Continued
The unequal outcomes of long-standing discriminatory laws and policies are still having an impact locally and nationally, speakers at a symposium presented by the New York State Bar Association and Albany Law School told participants. The symposium examined how centuries-old approaches in housing, health and education have widened the wealth gap between various demographic groups. … Continued
The Israel and New York State bar associations signed an agreement to work together on areas of mutual interest such as fighting for judicial independence, combating hatred and defending the rule of law. The New York State Bar Association has signed more than 30 such agreements — formally known as memorandums of understanding — with … Continued
Antisemitism, or hostility toward Jews, has a long history – going back thousands of years and before the advent of Christianity. And while the hatred can manifest from the subtle to the overt, it has sadly persisted though the millennia, causing violence and harm to Jewish people. At a recent Continuing Legal Education course hosted … Continued
As antisemitism rises worldwide following Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel, the New York State Bar Association is offering free training to combat hatred against Jews. The antisemitism training will be the first in a series of anti-bias programs. The association also plans to offer programs on Anti-Asian hate, Islamophobia, and related topics as part of … Continued
The American Bar Association’s House of Delegates today adopted a New York State Bar Association report advising colleges, graduate schools, law firms and other businesses how to maintain diversity in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action. “The report lays out a blueprint for how we can continue the important work … Continued
LGBTQ+ asylum seekers have a rough road to travel. Aside from the in-depth requirements that face anyone applying for asylum, government policies, red tape and changing administrations can leave would-be asylees in a holding pattern for years. A recent Continuing Legal Education course, hosted by the New York State Bar Association’s LGBTQ Law Section, delved … Continued
In the face of an alarming rise of hate crimes across the state and nation, the New York State Bar Association is calling for a much-needed update of New York State law through the Hate Crimes Modernization Act. The act would expand the list of hate-crime-eligible offenses to include charges such as graffiti, criminal obstruction … Continued
Could a person with limited vision access your firm’s website? Could a wheelchair user get inside your law office? For people with disabilities, navigating legal services can be a challenge. But it does not have to be that way. At a panel hosted by the Elder Law and Special Needs Section at the New York … Continued