Family Law Section Chair Comes Full Circle Nearly 30 Years After Joining NYSBA
6.3.2026
Michelle Haskin, the new chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Family Law Section, vividly remembers the first New York State Bar Association event she attended.
“As a law student, I heard Judge Leslie Stein speak on family law and in that moment, she became my idol,” Haskin said. “The program had a huge impact on my career. I ended up working for the firm where Judge Stein was a partner, as a summer associate and later as an attorney in her firm and in her department, which was the Family Law department.”
With the encouragement of the partners in the Family Law practice group, Haskin became active in the New York State Bar Association and volunteered on several Family Law Section committees, even while raising young children. She recalls attending her first destination meeting at age 28, bringing her infant and her mom along for the event.
Now as partner at Whiteman, Ostermann and Hanna in Albany, Haskin is coming full circle as the section chair and the lead architect of the section’s summer meeting in Newport, RI. The popular event draws hundreds of family law attorneys each July and registration is still open.
“It’s like planning a 300-person, three-day wedding,” she explains, adding “People are coming for the fun and the networking, but they are also getting great CLE programs.”
Haskin plans to continue the section’s outreach to younger and more diverse members. Looking at the registration lists, Haskin is pleased with the growth of the section and the representation by such a large range in age among the attendees.
“We have had a lot more involvement with younger lawyers. People are doing a better job at encouraging others to attend our events.”
Haskin also reminds members that showing up consistently over time is key to building your legal skills and your business.
“It’s not a short game; it’s a long game. You’re not going to go to one [bar association] meeting and get referrals. They are not going to know your name. By your fourth or fifth year, they know your name and are sending you cases. As you continue to grow within the section, you are meeting attorneys throughout the state and building your practice. The involvement and volunteer work at NYSBA gives back with the referrals that you receive statewide.” she said.
In the year ahead, Haskin looks forward to working on state legislation to strengthen safety measures for children going through divorce and custody battles. She is also excited about NYSBA President Taa Grays’ initiative to improve New York’s Family Court system.
“I am very excited that President Grays is focusing on Family Court. I know our section is going to be thoroughly behind it,” Haskin said.
