Good evening Members, The Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts, chaired by former New York State Bar Association President Henry M. Greenberg, has issued a report outlining recommended plans and goals for restarting in-person court proceedings, including grand juries and jury trials. The Commission’s report entitled, “Goals and Checklist for Restarting In-Person … Continued

Good evening Members, During her weekly Monday update, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore responded to a question she said has caused much debate among public officials – how quickly the New York State Unified Court System should return to scheduling and hearing in-person matters, particularly in New York City. “I will say this again and again … Continued

Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks announced today the appointments of Hon. Carol R. Edmead as presiding justice of the Appellate Term of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Department, and Hon. John R. Higgitt and Hon. Eddie J. McShan as associate justices of the court. Edmead succeeds Hon. Martin Shulman, who has been named to … Continued

The New York State Bar Association’s Executive Committee has voted overwhelmingly in support of a resolution urging the United States Senate to pass – and President Donald Trump to sign – legislation for student debt relief as provided in Title V of the House’s proposed Heroes Act. “It is imperative during these difficult times that … Continued

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced four appointments to fill vacancies in the Appellate Division, First Department, of the Supreme Court of New York State.

Good afternoon Members, In her weekly address, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore said that grand jurors reported for service today in every judicial district outside of New York City. DiFiore described it as “a significant milestone not only for our court system but for the entire criminal justice system.” Also, this week as part of phase … Continued

Good evening Members, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has extended for another 30 days his executive order that temporarily tolls all statutes of limitations during the coronavirus public health crisis. The latest order extends through Aug. 5. Cuomo’s order tolls “any specific time limit for the commencement, filing, or service of any legal action, notice, motion, or … Continued

Good evening Members, During her weekly briefing, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore said New York City courts have been operating smoothly in phase two and are readying for phase three by installing plexiglass barriers and retrofitting dozens of courtrooms to ensure that they can be utilized safely and efficiently as the state court system expands their … Continued

Good evening Members, The New York State Unified Court System has announced that beginning tomorrow courts in the Fifth Judicial District (Syracuse and surrounding counties), Sixth Judicial District (Binghamton and surrounding counties) and Seventh Judicial District (Rochester and surrounding counties) will begin phase four of a return to in-person operations. Then on Monday, July 6, … Continued

Good afternoon Members, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore announced during her weekly update today that in areas outside of New York City, the court system has begun summoning grand jurors to report for service on July 13. “This milestone development follows several weeks of careful planning and coordination with our justice partners, during which we have … Continued