The New York State Bar Association today called on New Yorkers to “vote yes” on a referendum to authorize a Constitutional Convention to re-think how state government operates. “Our state Constitution is broken. It is badly in need of repair,” said Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman. “New Yorkers deserve better. You can make a difference. … Continued

The Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and the American College of Civil Trial Mediators (ACCTM) have announced the winners of the first NYSBA/ACCTM National Championship Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Student Writing Competition. The winner of the $10,000 national competition is Sarah Benzidi, an LL.M student from Harvard Law School. … Continued

The New York State Bar Association and The New York Bar Foundation have sponsored a new website called the Immigration Pro Bono Portal that connects volunteer attorneys with legal service organizations from around the state that serve immigrant communities. “The goal is to assist attorneys in finding pro bono volunteer opportunities helping low income immigrant … Continued

Sharon Stern Gerstman, president of the New York State Bar Association, today issued the following statement about the termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program: “The New York Bar Association urges Congress to act promptly to protect young immigrants affected by the phased-in termination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. … Continued

The New York State Bar Association and The New York Bar Foundation are seeking donations to help provide legal services to Texas residents affected by Hurricane Harvey. In a related development, the Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order August 29 allowing out-of-state lawyers to offer pro bono assistance to Hurricane Harvey victims for a … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman today issued the following statement in an e-blast to members of the Association:  Like you, I was sickened by the hatred and violence on display over the weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia. Like you, I was saddened by the death of a young woman and the injury … Continued

The New York State Bar Association today released two opinions by its Committee on Professional Ethics concerning whether lawyers may ethically participate in electronic marketing services. Opinion 1131 The Committee’s first opinion, intended to guide lawyers who wish to use such services, notes the variation in the structure of web-based services. The opinion does not … Continued

The New York State Bar Association today is mourning the loss of former Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals George Bundy Smith. “Judge George Bundy Smith was a pioneer in the efforts for greater diversity and inclusiveness in the legal profession,” said New York State Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman. … Continued