2025 NYSBA Annual Meeting
New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting 2025January 14-17, 2025New York Hilton Midtown Join us for the premier legal event of the year, the Annual Meeting…
WHO WE ARE
As people are living and working longer, the definition of what it means to be a senior continues to evolve. Senior lawyers include those who continue to work full time at law firms or in solo practices, as well as those who opt for part-time employment opportunities or donate pro bono services in their communities.
SECTION BENEFITS
Lawyers who are age 50 or older have valuable experience, talents, and interests. Many such senior lawyers are considering or have already decided to continue to pursue their full-time legal careers or whether to transition to a new position, a reduced time commitment at their current position and/or retirement. Accordingly, the 50+ Lawyers Section has been created and charged with the mission of:
- Providing opportunities to senior lawyers to continue and maintain their legal careers as well as to utilize their expertise in such activities as delivering pro bono and civic service, mentoring younger lawyers, serving on boards of directors for businesses and charitable organizations, and lecturing and writing;
- Providing programs and services in matters such as job opportunities; CLE programs; seminars and lectures; career transition counseling; pro bono training; networking and social activities; recreational, travel and other programs designed to improve the quality of life of senior lawyers; and professional, financial and retirement planning;
- Acting as a voice for senior lawyers within the Association and the community
WHAT WE DO:
The 50+ Lawyers Section seeks to address such issues as:
- Career continuity
- Career changes
- Take CLE relevant courses
The desire and opportunity to:
- Render pro bono service
- Serve on boards
- Mentor other attorneys
- Social activities for seniors
SECTION CONTENT
The 50+ Section is a pioneering leader in shaping and advancing legal practices for seasoned attorneys. Our Section excels in exploring and evaluating critical legal developments in estate and elder law planning and catering specifically to the needs of small to midsize law firm attorneys. We offer expert guidance on navigating the sales and mergers of law practices as attorneys consider how best to transition to new phases of their career and personal lives. This Section also addresses complex issues related to age discrimination claims at both federal and New York State levels.
By partnering with NYSBA Sections, including the Trusts and Estates Law Section and the Elder Law & Special Needs Section, we ensure that we tackle a broad range of topics crucial to senior lawyers. Our active involvement includes reviewing and influencing pending state and federal legislation, as well as assessing proposals from the New York State Bar Association to support or oppose key legal reforms.
Contact the 50+ Section Liaison
To learn more about this Section, please contact Ernesto Guerrero
eguerrero@nysba.org
(518) 487-5535
Please do not contact the Section liaison with a request for legal advice or an attorney referral. You can instead visit our ‘Public Resources’ or ‘Lawyer Referral Service’ page for this type of request.
Hon. Adam Seiden
Hon. Adam Seiden is Chair of the 50+ Section. Judge Seiden is admitted to practice law in the State of New York for forty-six (46) years. He is a sole practitioner with a general practice located in Mt. Vernon, New York. He recently retired (mandatory) after twenty-seven (27) years as Associate City Court Judge of the Mount Vernon City Court where he published in excess of one hundred (100) decisions in the New York Official Reports.
Judge Seiden is a past president of both the Mount Vernon and Westchester County Bar Associations and is on the executive committee of New York State Bar Association as vice president from the Ninth Judicial District. He is also a member of the House of Delegates for the American Bar Association.
Judge Seiden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lehman College, Juris Doctor degree from Brooklyn Law School and LLM degree from New York University School of Law.
On Demand Programs
View Archived Event Page
Resolving Age Discrimination Claims: A Judicial Perspective
Resolving Age Discrimination Claims: A Judicial Perspective
Breaking Barriers: Advancing DEI & Belonging in the Legal World
Breaking Barriers: Advancing DEI & Belonging in the Legal World
Administrative Steps in Age Discrimination Claims
Administrative Steps in Age Discrimination Claims
Estate Planning for the Small to Midsize Law Firm Attorney - Video Replay
This presentation will provide an overview of Federal and New York Estate and Gift tax exemptions with planning options.
How to Navigate the Sale and/or Merger of a Small to Midsize Law Practice - Video Replay
This presentation will provide an overview of the legal and financial issues needed to be made when selling and/or merging a small to mid-size law…
Professional Conduct Ethics Rules in a Nutshell - Video Replay
This video replay program will answer questions frequently asked about attorney grievance procedures.
Professional Conduct Ethics Rules in a Nutshell
Professional Conduct Ethics Rules in a Nutshell and Grievance Practices and Procedures - Spring 2023
Online Community
Committee Roster
Samuel J. Abate, Jr., Esq.
Member
Troutman Pepper Hamilton Sanders LLP
David J. Abeshouse, Esq.
Member
Law Office of David J. Abeshouse
Mr. Alton L. Abramowitz
Member
Schwartz Sladkus Reich Greenberg Atlas LLP
Marcus Abrams, Esq.
Member
Robert Abrams, Esq.
Member
Abrams Fensterman, LLP
Jamie C. Abrams, Esq.
Member
Bass & Abrams Pc
Neil Abramson, Esq.
Member
Rubin,Abramson Llp
Mr. Ted J. Abruzzo
Member
Abruzzo & Kinn LLP
Anthony C. Acampora, Esq.
Member
Silverman Acampora Llp
Henry J. Achiron, Esq.
Member
Silverman, Shin & Byrne
Stephen B. Ackerman, Esq.
Member
Saile Ackerman Llc
Lynne E. Ackner, Esq.
Member
ATTORNEY AT LAW
Joan Casilio Adams, Esq.
Member
J. Adams & Associates PLLC
Steven G. Adams, Esq.
Member
Coughlin Midlige & Garland LLP
Daniel P. Adams, Esq.
Member
Adams Leclair LLP
Michael Aaron Adelstein, Esq.
Member
Kelly Drye & Warren
Guy J. Agostinelli, Esq.
Member
Zdarsky Sawicki & Agostinelli LLP
Frank Agostino, Esq.
Member
Agostino & Associates Pc
Mario Aieta, Esq.
Member
Duane Morris LLP
Michael M. Albanese, Esq.
Member
Albanese & Albanese
50+ Section Publications
Newly released issues are restricted to Section & Committee Members only for the first 90 days, after which they become available to all members.
The Voice of Experience
The Voice of Experience features substantive articles for lawyers who are age 50 or older and is published to help with career continuity and career changes. Formerly titled The Senior Lawyer, articles that have appeared in past issues include such topics as value of important papers, estate planning, ethical issues, life settlements and retaining and maintaining closed files. Also included are updates on Section news, committee reports, programs and events. The Voice of Experience is published by the 50+ Section and distributed to Section members free of charge.
The Voice of Experience is published as a benefit for members of the 50+Section and is copyrighted by the New York State Bar Association.
The Voice of Experience encourages article submissions on topics of interest to members of the Section. Writing an article for a NYSBA Section publication is a great way to get your name out in the legal community and advertise your knowledge. Our authors are respected state-wide for their legal expertise.
Article Library
Looking for specific articles from our issues? Explore our library of individual articles, available from current and past editions.
View article library50+ Section Committee
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Age Discrimination Committee
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Diversity Committee (50+)
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Employment Opportunity Committee
-
Executive Committee (50+)
-
Financial and Quality of Life Planning Committee (50+)
-
Law Practice Continuity Committee (50+)
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Legislation Committee (50+)
-
Membership Committee (50+)
-
Pro Bono Committee (50+)
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Program and CLE Committee (50+)
-
Publications Committee (50+)
-
Technology Committee (50+)
Awards
2025 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award
Nomination Deadline: Friday, November 1, 2024
2024 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award Winner
Ronald J. Weiss, Esq.
Retired Partner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Ronald J. Weiss is a retired partner (2019), previously based out of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP’s New York office. His practice focused on estate planning and representing not-for-profit organizations.
Bar Association and Other Professional Affiliations:
- Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel (ACTEC).
- Member of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), including serving as past chair of the Trusts and Estate Law Section and currently as a member at large of the section’s Executive Committee, as well as former chair of the section’s Legislation Committee and Committee on Practice and Ethics.
- Former Member of the New York City Bar Association’s (City Bar’s) Not-for-Profit, Estate Planning and Surrogate’s Court committees.
- Member of the Office of Court Administration’s Surrogate’s Court Advisory Committee.
- Member of NYSBA’s Attorney Emeritus Program.
Charitable Activities:
- Member of the board of directors of Mobilization for Justice, Inc.
- Member of the board of directors and secretary of the Joseph H. Flom Foundation.
- Member of the board of trustees and secretary of the Park Slope Civic Council, Inc.
Recognition and Other Experience: Ranked in The Best Lawyers in America, including as its 2017 New York City Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year, received multiple Pro Bono Publico awards from the Legal Aid Society and was named a UJA-Federation of New York Annual Trusts and Estates honoree. Served as script consultant for the film “Changing Lanes” (2002), receiving on-screen credit. Lecturer for the NYSBA, City Bar and Practising Law Institute.
Education: J.D., Albany Law School, 1980 (Valedictorian; Notes and Comments Editor, Albany Law Review); B.A., Yale University, 1971 (Honors in Economics).
Honorees
2023 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honoree was Michael Perna, Esq., Orange County, NY
2022 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honorees were Emilia Rodriguez, Esq., Pace Women’s Justice Center, White Plains, NY, and Daniel D. Shonn, Jr. Esq., Daniel D. Shonn Attorney, Akron, NY
2021 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honoree was Scott Fein, Esq., Partner, Whiteman Osterman & Hanna LLP, Albany, NY
2020 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honorees were: Jonathan J. Lerner, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, LLP, New York, NY and George “Jerry” Mackey, Barclay Damon LLP, Rochester, NY.
2019 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honorees were: Ronald C. Mayer, The New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG), Evelyn Frank Legal Resources Program, New York, NY and Shirani Ponnambalam, Pace Women’s Justice Center, White Plains, NY.
2018 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honorees were: Joan Lia Levy, Esq., Pro Bono Partnership, Inc., White Plains, NY and Anthony Szczygiel, Esq., Center for Elder Law & Justice, Buffalo, NY.
Special Commendation: Blaine V. Fogg, Esq., Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom LLP, New York, NY.
2017 Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award honoree was Glenn J. Pogust, Esq., Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, New York, NY
Attorney Emeritus Program
Are you 55 years of age or over, in good standing, 10 years in practice, and interested in performing pro bono work?
The New York State Attorney Emeritus Program (“AEP”) is designed to facilitate pro bono services by senior attorneys. Enroll by applying online or changing your registration status.
PODCASTS
Now Featuring
MATERIAL AND WEB LINKS OF INTEREST
Search for these program titles at www.nysba.org:
- Nine Essential Planning Documents (November 15, 2016) recorded CLE program
- Considering Next Steps: Proactive Career and Life Planning for Baby Boomers (2014) recorded webcast
- Issues in Planning for Children with Autism Spectrum and Diagnosed with other disabilities (2015) recorded webcast
- Retirement Planning for Clients and the Senior Lawyer (2015) recorded webcast
- Out the Door Not Over the Hill (2008)
- Closing or Selling a Law Practice (2005) recorded CLE program
- Closing or Selling a Law Practice (2005) online CLE
- The Ins and Outs of the New Power of Attorney Statute (October 2009) recorded webinar CLE
- The New Power-of-Attorney Form – What You Need to Know (August 2009) recorded webinar CLE
- Help Clients Find You: Simple Tools to Improve Your Web Presence (August 2009) recorded webinar CLE
- Twittering, Linking, Posting and Friending: Legal Implications of Social Networking (June 2009) recorded webinar CLE
- Practice Management and the New Rules of Professional Conduct (June 2009) recorded webinar CLE
- Practice Before the Veterans Administration (April/May 2009) recorded webinar CLE
- Internet Marketing for Law Firms: How to Ramp Up Visibility and Build Clientele (May 2009) recorded webinar CLE
ENTERTAINMENT
- Long Island Life Seniors Events and announcements, Newsday
- www.ehow.com– How to do just about anything
- www.partygamecentral.com– Party games
- www.rottentomatoes.com– Everything you wanted to know about movies
- Ninjawords.com/kakorrhaphiophobia– Superfast dictionary
- www.bigstring.com– Take control of your email: send e-mail that can be easily recalled, is hard to forward, nonprintable, self-destructing and more.
- http://faxzero.com– send a fax from your PC for free
- www.pdfpad.com– Customize and print your own specialty paper, calendars, graph paper, story-boards and etc.
- www.fixya.com– Before replacing or paying for professional repair check this site for free fix-it advice
FINANCIALS / INVESTMENTS
- www.annualcreditreport.com– information on how to check your credit report for free
- ARTICLE: Make Your Money Last A Lifetime, Money Magazine, October 11, 2007
- ARTICLE: Do It Now: Are you on track for retirement?, By Walter Updegrave, Money Magazine senior editor, CNNMoney.com
- ARTICLE: Paper Records: What to Toss, What to Keep: You can deep-six most of your documents and go digital with the rest.| By Laura Cohn, Associate Editor | Kipplinger.com
- www.annualcreditreport.com– information on how to check your credit report for free
- cnnmoney.com/tools– calculate how much housing, food and expenses will be in a new town
- fidelity.com– Retirement Income planner (registration required)
- troweprice.com– T.Rowe Price’s Retirement Income Calculator
- ImmediateAnnuities.com– research annuities
- www.scambusters.org/financialaidscams.html– Tips to Avoid Financial Aid Scams, a Census Scam and a Bank of America Phishing Scam, Scambustser.org
- www.scambusters.org
SAVING MONEY
- ARTICLE: 21 Secrets to Save on Travel – Our insider’s guide to snagging the deepest discounts on hotels, airfare, cruises and more, By Stacy Rapacon, Reporter, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, September 2009
- ARTICLE: Senior Discounts Aren’t Always the Best Deals for Retirees, U.S. News & World Report Article
How to get the best prices in 4 key areas - Coupon Links:
http://www.freecoupons.com/– may require sign-up
http://www.couponmom.com/– may require sign-up
http://www.Shaws.com– may require sign-up
http://www.coupons.com– may require sign-up
http://www.ShoppersVoice.com– may require sign-up
HEALTH
- www.epicurious.com– Ultimate food guide
- nmfn.com– Northwestern Mutual’s Longevity game – estimate your lifespan
- JOHNS HOPKINS HEALTH ALERTS!This free public service from Johns Hopkins Medicine helps keep you up to date on the latest breakthroughs for the most common medical conditions which prevent healthy aging
- VIDEO: Kiplinger Interview- Senior healthcare scams– Medicare Advantage
JOBS FOR RETIRED ATTORNEYS
- ARTICLE: You’re Not Ready to Quit Work? Then try out this top 10 list of jobs for the 60-plus set, By Marty Nemko, U.S.News & World Report, June 11, 2007
- Google Search for “part time jobs for retired lawyers”
- RetirementJobs.com
- jobs.myspace.com
- lawjobs.com
- simplyhired.com
- http://thejobfool.com/
- www.mlaglobal.com
- www.lateralattorneys.com
- www.lipmanPlesur.com
- www.partnerup.com
- IJM.org/Careers
- http://careers.msn.com/
- www.business.com
- Encore.org
OFFICE RESOURCES
- Business Continuity Plan for Disaster Recovery(PDF)
- The Busy Lawyer Quick Computer Reference Guide for Outlook, Word and Powerpoint(PDF)(Kraft and Kennedy’s) FREE PDF – This handy guide will help you troubleshoot and master the basics of your most needed productivity tools.
- www.bigstring.com– Take control of your email: send e-mail that can be easily recalled, is hard to forward, nonprintable, self-destructing and more.
- http://faxzero.com– send a fax from your PC for free
PLANNING AHEAD GUIDE
The New York State Bar Association Planning Ahead Guide is provided to all attorneys as a courtesy of the New York State Bar Association and outlines the steps a lawyer must take to protect his or her clients in the event of a sudden inability to continue in practice.
PROTECTING YOURSELF & YOUR ASSETS
- www.annualcreditreport.com– information on how to check your credit report for free
- ARTICLE: Lost Cellphone? Your Carrier Has Your Backup , By Katherine Boehret, Wall Street Journal, 2/25/09
- ARTICLE: Tricks to Keep Burglars Away From Your Home, Former jewel thief reveals his secrets, By Walter T. Shaw, Special from Bottom Line/Personal, September 15, 2008
- ARTICLE: 6 Tips to Avoid Senior Scams, By Sharon O’Brien, About.com
- ARTICLE: Tips to Avoid Financial Aid Scams, a Census Scam and a Bank of America Phishing Scam, Scambustser.org
- http://www.scambusters.org/
- ARTICLE: Avoid Phone & Mail Scams, Senior Brigade, A Michigan Seniors Initiative (PDF)
- VIDEO: Kiplinger Interview-Senior healthcare scams – Medicare Advantage
PRO BONO PROJECTS
- NYSBA Pro Bono Affairs, http://www.nysba.org/ProBono probono@nysba.org, (518) 463-3200,
RESIDENCE OPTIONS
- ARTICLE: Choosing Senior Housing and Residential Care, assisted living, board / care homes, and nursing homes, Helpguide.org
RETIREMENT INFO
- ARTICLE: Retirement: The End or the Beginning?(PDF), by Walter T. Burke and Timothy E. Casserly. This article originally appeared in the July/August 2011 edition of the NYSBA Journal and is used by permission (members only).
- ARTICLE: Information to Act On, Kiplinger’s Retirement Report, June 2008 Great tips on Economy, Investing, Taxes, Social Security, Legislation for Seniors, Consumer Information including an online resource to help guard against scams, Health care, housing, travel and more.
- ARTICLE: Beyond the Nest Egg: What to Ask Yourself About Retirement, Key Questions Include: Go to Work or Not? Relocate or Stay Put?, By Glenn Ruffenach and Kelly Greene, The Wall Street Journal, June 7, 2007 (or as a PDF) Note: includes a small chart of Web sites that match older workers with employers
- ARTICLE: 100 Best Retirement and Finance Guides for Seniors, Posted in Financial Tips, Senior Living by Site Administrator, October 28, 2008
SENIORS – MISCELLANEOUS TOPICS
- OCA Attorney Emeritus Program
- ABA Senior Lawyers Division Web site
- www.cscs-ny.org– Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City
- www.seniorplanet.org– Senior Planet – The Digital Community for Older Adults
- www.aging.ny.gov– New York State Office for the Aging www.aging.ny.gov/NYSOFA/LocalOffices.cfm– Local contacts for: New York State Office for the Aging
- ABA Senior Lawyers Division elderLAW e-NEWS– April 2010
- Attorney Emeritus Program– Office of Court Administration
SPECIAL REPORTS
- 2008 The Senior Lawyer Survey Report | For a PDF copy, please contact SeniorLawyers@nysba.org
- Social Security Handbook, by www.SocialSecurity.govhttp://www.ssa.gov/OP_Home/handbook/|
- Guide to Social Security Retirement Benefits, Understanding your main benefit under this program, Fairmark.com http://www.fairmark.com/retirement/socsec/index.htm
TRAVEL
- www.cruisemates.com
– Cruise planning (includes revies of lines and ships) - www.smartertravel.com/senior-travel/
Find the best senior travel discounts. Get cheap plane tickets, AARP discounts, luxury cruise deals, senior tours, and single travel deals. - ARTICLE:The Contrarian Traveler – Rental-Car Relief, Six ways to save money—from gas to taxes, By Peter Greenberg, AARP The Magazine, September & October 2008
Retirement Life Planning After Covid-19: Where are You and Your Practice Heading (Part II)
Recorded on March 9, 2021
Retirement Life Planning After Covid-19: Where are You and Your Practice Heading (Part I)
Recorded on February 9, 2021
Untangling Fear in Lawyering
Recorded on January 12, 2021
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