Author: Jennifer

Trauma, Mental Health and the Lawyer

So, Netflix has this intriguing series called “The Sinner,” starring Bill Pullman as an empathetic police detective who is characterized by his ability to see beyond the conventional facts of a crime presented in the opening episode of each season. In Season One, Cora Tennetti (Jessica Biel) is a typical upstate New York mother and … Continued

In Iran, Women Lead the Way in the Fight for Justice

If you’ve walked around New York City recently, you may have heard the rallying slogan of “Women, Life, Freedom,” or, in Persian, “Zan, Zendegi, Azadi.” From Washington Square to Times Square, demonstrations and rallies are calling for support of Iranian women who have, since Sept. 16, been leading a renewed revolution against the fundamentalist Islamic … Continued

It’s Time To Take ‘Hygiene’ out of the Mental Hygiene Law

“I’m clean. I’m not supposed to be here. I’m clean.” Derek pleaded with me in the doorway of his room on the locked inpatient psychiatric unit at St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. He pressed on: “I did my laundry this morning. I brushed my teeth. These other people stink. I take care of myself.” I … Continued

NYSBA Delivers Ratings of Candidates for Chief Judge to the Governor

The New York State Bar Association delivered its ratings of the seven candidates under consideration to be the state’s chief judge to Gov. Kathy Hochul today. The seven candidates were selected by the Commission on Judicial Nomination to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of  Chief Judge Janet DiFiore.  The New York State Bar … Continued

Something for Everyone at First In-Person Annual Meeting in 3 Years

The New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting is returning to the Hilton Midtown for the first time in three years, and the six-day conference is jam-packed with a variety of panel discussions and social gatherings including a gala dinner at the Rainbow Room and the week’s premier educational event — the presidential summit. Presidential … Continued

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