Lawyers looking for pro bono work have many opportunities to help survivors of human trafficking. A Continuing Legal Education course presented by the New York State Bar Association detailed the immense need for volunteers to aid survivors with legal assistance on issues such as immigration, housing, credit, criminal proceedings and much more. The speakers were: … Continued
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
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
Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget, which returns $100 million to a fund that pays for low-income New Yorkers to receive civil legal services: “The New York State Bar Association commends Gov. Kathy Hochul for reversing her decision to remove $100 … Continued
Building on the momentum of the New York State Bar Association’s Government Relations Department successes in 2023, the Association will begin this month advocating for key legislative initiatives in both the state and national capitals for 2024. After consultation with the sections, committees and task forces, NYSBA’s legislative policy committee works with the government relations … Continued
The New York State Bar Association is participating in an innovative effort to match pro bono lawyers with residents of Israel who need legal assistance as a result of Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel and the subsequent ongoing war. The New York State Bar Association collaborated with the Israel Bar Association, led by Adv. … Continued
David Keehn, an attorney with the state Department of Environmental Conservation, received the Ray of Hope Award in recognition of the significant contributions he has made to lawyer well-being. Keehn is a past co-chair of Capital District Lawyers Helping Lawyers, one of 13 New York State Bar Association peer-led support groups that offer confidential assistance … Continued
The New York State Bar Association is recommending increased broadband service, digital literacy training and wider access to electronic devices to ensure that all New Yorkers can take part in virtual court proceedings. The recommendations were included in a report by the Task Force on the Post-Pandemic Future of the Profession, which the association’s governing … Continued
The New York State Bar Association is launching a new task force that will examine the impact of homelessness and explore ways that governments can intervene so that fewer people will be living on the streets. More than 74,000 New Yorkers are homeless, according to the National Alliance to End Homelessness. “Homelessness is a crisis, … Continued
The New York State Bar Association honored lawyers who have made an exceptional commitment to serving the public good during the 32nd Annual President’s Pro Bono Service Awards on Law Day. The mood was festive as leaders from the bench and the bar, along with New York State Attorney General Letitia James gathered at the … Continued