When most of us dreamed about practicing law, we imagined courtrooms, persuasive arguments, and maybe a little too much caffeine. What we didn’t picture was the stress of balancing trust accounts or losing sleep over three-way reconciliations. Yet, here we are. If you’re a New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) member, you already know the … Continued
Stress, anxiety, depression. Many lawyers will confront one or more of these mental health issues during their professional lives. Yet what about loneliness, which can also be a serious mental health issue? Despite research suggesting lawyers are lonelier than workers in most other professions, loneliness is barely mentioned, if at all, in discussions about struggling … Continued
In June 2025, U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III faced a threatening individual wielding a knife and yelling at him on the streets of downtown Albany. Before law enforcement arrived, according to a Department of Justice press release, the perpetrator “charged at Sarcone again screaming and yelling while wielding the knife to make a slitting-the-throat … Continued
Luca Melchionna understands the value of education and collaboration through his 30-year career working in higher education and as a transactional attorney. His background is the basis of his initiatives for the upcoming 11 months where his focus will be on increasing engagement through developing cutting-edge programming. “My priority is to connect our members with … Continued
2026 marked the second year of the New York State Legislature’s biennial cycle, and it resulted in legislative progress in several notable NYSBA policy areas, including immigrant protections, firearm safety, court access, criminal justice, and legal services funding. Through sustained advocacy by NYSBA leadership, sections, committees, and members, the association helped secure meaningful successes in … Continued
As the modern workplace continues to evolve, many organizations are adopting bring-your-own-device policies, enabling employees to use personal smartphones, tablets and laptops for work-related activities. These policies bring with them significant legal complexities – particularly in the context of employment litigation. Personal devices often contain a wealth of potentially relevant information, including text messages, emails … Continued
The New York State Bar Association is a not-for-profit voluntary membership association for attorneys. We are not a state entity or responsible for licensing or discipline of attorneys. Disciplinary complaints should be directed to the Attorney Disciplinary / Grievance Committee for the New York State Appellate Division. The office to contact depends upon the location … Continued
A banana duct-taped to a wall sold for $6.2 million. Maurizio Cattelan’s work, “Comedian,” has been deemed one of the most “talked about works of the century,”[1] though much of the conversation has been sharply critical.[2] Indeed, when art is produced with minimal skill and creativity, inevitably, it garners scrutiny. Perhaps it is no surprise … Continued
Across the history of democratic thought, one theme endures: A just society requires educated, engaged citizens.[1] Aristotle argued that the purpose of law is not only to regulate but to cultivate virtue and shape citizens capable of intelligently participating in public life.[2] In the early American republic, Thomas Jefferson warned that without widespread civic education … Continued
This past April, the National Conference of Bar Examiners announced that it was changing its guidance on what has become a controversial question on state bar applications. The change, as shown in the organization’s new sample application, eliminates the requirement of mental health disclosure. The sample application the bar examiners provide is used by many … Continued