Author: Caroline

Two Men Met in 1935 – AND A RECOVERY PROGRAM WAS BORN

By

In 1935, two alcoholics, Bill Wilson, a New York stockbroker, and Bob Smith, an Ohio physician, met in Akron. When the meeting was over, it had become apparent to them that one alcoholic was uniquely able to carry the message of recovery to another alcoholic. That formula for success, which is the foundation of Alcoholics … Continued

How to Help Judges in Need of Help

By

The running joke in the old commercials for Maytag washers and dryers is that the “Maytag repairman is the loneliest person of all” because no one ever calls. Now he can share his loneliness with those who staff “help lines” dedicated to judges experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental health issues or other stress-related problems. … Continued

Building a Virtual Bar Center

By

Over its 143-year history, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) has frequently adapted to meet the needs of members and the legal profession and do the public good. Time and again, we have expanded operations and broadened our outlook, as dictated by the needs of the day. Once again, the time for change is … Continued

Is Your Networking Stale?

By

Many successful networkers get into networking ruts without even realizing it. They do what they’ve always done, but don’t feel the time spent was valuable. Their networking group meetings seem flat. They attend to catch up with friends. The strategic reasons they joined the group and the opportunity to pursue goal-related ideas seem less relevant. … Continued

Season’s Wellness

By

Ah, the holidays. That magical time of year after Thanksgiving when deals have to close and fees have to be collected by 11:59 on December 31st. What lawyer doesn’t have memories of filing with the SEC with Dick Clark on in the background, or signing hundreds of documents as Corporate Secretary to complete the reorg … Continued

Street Art: Is Copyright for “Losers©™”? – A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE ON THE FRENCH AND AMERICAN LEGAL APPROACH TO STREET ART

By

INTRODUCTION “Copyright is for Losers©™” was spray-painted by the (in)famous street artist working under the name of Banksy. Street Art is the latest artistic movement that fascinates the masses. Graffiti was born millennia ago, with the earliest examples on the walls of the Lascaux Caves in France, in Pompeii or in Ancient Egypt. More recently, … Continued

Member Spotlight: Christopher R. Riano

By

Riano is executive director of the Center for Civic Education and public scholar of constitutional law. He lives and works in Manhattan. What do you find most rewarding about being an attorney? Being an attorney offers each of us the unique privilege of working to protect people in moments of immense complexity and hardship in … Continued

November 2019 Forum

By

DEAR FORUM: In order to attract new clients in the cryptocurrency space, I raised the prospect of accepting cryptocurrency as payment for legal fees with our firm’s management committee. I think that offering clients a cryptocurrency payment option will make us more attractive to some clients that are participating in the growing cryptocurrency marketplace and … Continued