Fifteen new section chairs of the New York State Bar Association took office on June 1. The 25 sections of the State Bar publish material dealing with their fields of expertise, much of which is not available through commercial publishers. Sections also sponsor conferences, seminars and institutes, monitor legislation and conduct studies. Each section contributes … Continued

Eleven attorneys have been elected to the Executive Committee of the New York State Bar Association. The 30-member Executive Committee oversees the management and administration of the State Bar within policies determined by its governing body, the House of Delegates. The new Executive Committee members are: Alyssa M. Barreiro of Binghamton, Vice-President of the 6th … Continued

Glenn Lau-Kee, a partner in the New York City law firm of Kee & Lau-Kee, assumed office June 1 as the 117th president of the New York State Bar Association. Lau-Kee is the first Asian-American president of the 75,000-member Association. He succeeds David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody). The theme of Lau-Kee’s presidency is … Continued

Sixty-four organizations across New York state have received 67 grants totaling $392,500, The New York Bar Foundation announced today. “The Foundation’s grant program assists non-profit organizations with the front-page issues of our communities. The need for funding for law-related projects continues to grow,” said Bar Foundation President Cristine Cioffi (Cioffi•Slezak•Wildgrube). “The Foundation is pleased to … Continued

New York State Bar Association President David M. Schraver today called on the Legislature to promptly authorize 20 new Family Court judgeships to give potential judicial candidates adequate time to gather designating petitions. While the approved state budget includes money for the additional judgeships, the Legislature still must enact a bill authorizing them. In New … Continued

Recognizing the legal challenges faced by veterans, the New York State Bar Association has extended, through November 2014, a statewide program that provides discounted legal help to military veterans. The Veteran Referral Panel program, which began in November 2013, helps veterans with a broad range of legal matters, including obtaining federal benefits, military discharge upgrades, … Continued

Judges, practicing attorneys and educators will debate how to prepare law students for a rapidly changing profession on May 22 at the New York State Judicial Institute on Professionalism and the Law, 84 North Broadway on the campus of Pace University Law School in White Plains, NY. “The Coming Changes to Legal Education: Ensuring Professional … Continued

Judge Monica Drinane of the Bronx and Judge Vincent J. Reilly, Jr. of Schenectady were honored with the 2014 Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare, given by the Committee on Children and the Law of the New York State Bar Association. The award, presented on May 7 at the … Continued

The New York State Bar Association today renewed its call for significant reductions in the use of solitary confinement of inmates and new protocols for separating violent and nonviolent prisoners. “New York’s correctional system makes too much use of solitary confinement,” said State Bar President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody). “Prolonged solitary confinement … Continued