Author: Jennifer

NYSBA Trailblazer Maryann Saccomando Freedman Speaks Out

She is a trailblazer in the legal profession and at the New York State Bar Association. Host David Miranda talks to NYSBA’s first female president, Maryann Saccomando Freedman, in the latest episode of “Miranda Warnings.” Freedman served as president of the New York State Bar Association from 1987 to 1988. Association leaders sought her out … Continued

Unjust Punishment: The Impact of Incarceration on Mental Health

Sadly, a defining feature of our nation is its legacy of punishing rather than humanely caring for people with mental illness. Yet, the solutions needed to break this legacy already exist. It is well past time to pledge ourselves to implementing these solutions so we can meaningfully care for rather than punish people with mental … Continued

Mobile Homes on Rented Land: Why Steckel II Needs Updating

Like light, which is both a wave and a particle at once, a mobile home affixed to the ground can be either real or personal property, depending on legal context. For lien perfection purposes, a mobile home is personal property.[1] For statute of frauds purposes, the better view is that a mobile home is real … Continued

6 KPIs Any Law Firm Can Use to Measure Success

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) have become commonplace in today’s business landscape, so much so that some may think of it as merely a buzzword. While the term may sound like nothing but jargon, it essentially refers to the business metrics that evaluate a company’s performance.   Your efforts as a lawyer should reflect in your firm’s … Continued

New York State Bar Association Begins Review of Candidates for Chief Judge

Members of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee to Review Judicial Nominations are prepared to begin interviewing the seven nominees for chief judge that the Commission on Judicial Nominations submitted to Gov. Kathy Hochul on Nov. 23. The committee has scheduled interviews for Dec. 5 and will rate each candidate as either “well qualified, … Continued

Legal Innovation Tournament Winners Apply for Patent for App Design

The winning team of Ramona Miller and Michael Quintman from the annual National Legal Innovation Tournament are applying for patent protection of their winning app design. “Help Decide” is the 2022 winning design in the competition co-hosted by the New York State Bar Association and the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra. It … Continued

50 Years After Willowbrook: Mental Disabilities and the Law in New York

Fifty years ago, New Yorkers were shocked at television scenes from inside the Willowbrook State School in Staten Island. The images of residents crowded together in squalid conditions, with no access to humane treatment, sparked public outrage and calls for reforms. At the same time, conditions at institutions nationwide were also under attack and advocates … Continued