Practice Area: Pro Bono & Public Good

New York State Bar Association Commends Gov. Kathy Hochul For Returning $100 Million to a Fund for Civil Legal Services

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

New York State Bar Association 2024 Legislative Priorities

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

Capital District Lawyers Helping Lawyers Group Honors Attorney With Ray of Hope Award

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

NYSBA Recommends Expanding Broadband, Providing Digital Literacy Training, and Increasing Access to Electronic Devices

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

New York State Bar Association Task Force Searches for Ways to Reduce Homelessness While Protecting Civil Liberties

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

New York State Bar Association Says the Constitutional Rights of Children, Indigent Adults Must Be Protected

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the New York State budget: “While Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have recognized that the state budget must include funding to protect the constitutional right to counsel of children and indigent adults, the New York State Bar Association … Continued

Let’s Get Physical: Get Moving for Attorney Well-Being

New York prides itself on being a sophisticated jurisdiction. Its transactional lawyers structure deals that are cutting edge. Its litigators craft novel arguments that are considered by learned courts. New York law governs contracts throughout the world. Now through the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), New York offers its legal community a cutting-edge path … Continued