This article provides a brief practical overview of changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill that are relevant to elder law and estate planning. We cover changes to 529 plans, ABLE Accounts, the new Trump Accounts, the Estate and Gift Tax Basic Exclusion amount, and changes to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Each section … Continued
The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, in issuing Formal Opinion 518 in October 2025, has done the mediation field a favor, although not every individual mediator may agree. In revisiting lawyer-mediator obligations when dealing with unrepresented parties and clarifying a neutral’s obligations to be truthful in an environment where negotiation … Continued
Dear Colleagues: Our much anticipated 150th anniversary celebration has finally arrived. It is gratifying to renew acquaintances, reflect on our history, partake in our awards ceremonies, and learn from our esteemed panelists and CLE faculty. Add to the celebration that for the first time in over a decade our members in January 2026 exceed what … Continued
New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet issued the following statement about Gov. Hochul’s State of the State: “The New York State Bar Association is encouraged by several elements of the governor’s 2026 State of the State agenda and appreciates the administration’s focus on public safety and emerging challenges facing New Yorkers. In particular, … Continued
It has been a busy year for the New York State Bar Association’s Government Relations, and we look forward to 2026’s Legislative Session to continue to build on our successes. Among the successes was the passage of the Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Act. After a report by the Task Force on MAID was adopted … Continued
Introduction Artificial intelligence has led to significant improvements in efficiency and innovation across industries. AI helps firms automate tasks, analyze large amounts of data quickly, and generate information which saves time, reduces costs, and improves accuracy. Yet these developments are undermined by a troubling trend of companies misrepresenting or falsely advertising their AI capabilities through … Continued
“Meet George Jetson….” And with those famous three words, “The Jetsons” premiered on Sept. 23, 1962. The cartoon gave us a glimpse into our near distant future through the lens of George Jetson, a working father who spent a one-hour per day, two-day work week as a “digital index operator” for an atomic supercomputer.[1] Although … Continued
In 1876, a small group of New York lawyers set out to do something extraordinary. Years before there was an American Bar Association, at a time when the law was practiced by candlelight and correspondence traveled by post, they came together under a guiding vision: “To cultivate the science of jurisprudence, promote reform in the … Continued
’Tis the season for Christmas stories from movies and television. For lawyers, they present some interesting platforms for legal issues. ‘Holiday Affair’: Corporate Espionage Like “Miracle on 34th Street,” the backdrop for the 1949 film “Holiday Affair” is a New York City department store.1 Janet Leigh plays a World War II widow named Connie Ennis … Continued
Kathleen Sweet, president of The New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about S.8312/A.7563: “Gov. Hochul has approved a new law that allows residents with mental health challenges to have their cases heard in a court in another jurisdiction if no such specialized court exists in the county where they reside. The New … Continued