Good evening Members, The U.S. Senate has passed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act of 2020, which allows changes to the federal relief program for small businesses suffering as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The legislation, which passed the House last week and is expected to be signed by President Donald Trump, includes the … Continued

Good evening Members, The state court system announced today that courts spanning three upstate judicial districts will enter their second phase of a gradual return to in-person operations this week, coinciding with the second phase of New York’s reopening. Courts in the Fifth Judicial District (Syracuse and surrounding counties), Sixth Judicial District (Binghamton and surrounding … Continued

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Scott Karson today became the first-ever NYSBA president to be installed virtually. The virtual swearing-in was conducted by New York State Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, and was attended by more than 250 guests.

Good evening Members, The New York State Board of Law Examiners has announced a second application period for the September 2020 Bar Exam that makes graduates of law schools outside of New York eligible to apply. Beginning on Tuesday, June 2 at 10:00 a.m., applications will be accepted from any candidate who graduated with a … Continued

Good evening Members, As the COVID-19 death toll mounts, pro bono assistance is desperately needed to deal expeditiously with the thousands of Surrogate’s Court applications in small estates, so the New York State Bar Association has launched an effort to match volunteer lawyers with economically disadvantaged families who have lost loved ones to the virus … Continued

Good evening Members, The New York State Court of Appeals has announced that during its June 2020 session, the court will be available to hear in-person oral arguments from counsel, following appropriate safety protocols. The courtroom will be closed to the general public and the oral arguments will be webcast live. By Thursday, May 28 … Continued

As part of its continued mission to collaborate with bar associations around the world, the New York State Bar Association has entered into a working relationship with the largest bar association in Romania – the Bucharest Bar Association. “By continuing to expand our global relationships, it allows us to work together to increase membership, exchange … Continued

Good evening Members, New York State’s court system took a major step toward a new normal today. Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks sent a memo to all the state’s trial court justices and judges informing them that the statewide e-filing of new non-essential cases will begin next week. And the state court system announced … Continued

Good evening Members, Limited in-person court operations in the 23 counties that make up the Finger Lakes, Mohawk Valley and Southern Tier regions resumed today and later this week the 12 counties of the North Country and Central New York will do the same, according to Chief Judge Janet Difiore’s latest address. In those regions, … Continued

Good evening Members, The New York State Unified Court System announced a partnership today with the New York State Bar Association to coordinate a Surrogate’s Court pro bono effort in which volunteer lawyers will assist economically disadvantaged family members who lost loved ones as a result of COVID-19. The effort will be spearheaded by Michael … Continued