Author: Jennifer

New York State Bar Association Commends Gov. Kathy Hochul For Returning $100 Million to a Fund for Civil Legal Services

Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget, which returns $100 million to a fund that pays for low-income New Yorkers to receive civil legal services: “The New York State Bar Association commends Gov. Kathy Hochul for reversing her decision to remove $100 … Continued

New York State Bar Association Joins Legislators Calling for Increased Funding of Family Courts

New York State Bar Association President Richard Lewis joined lawmakers calling for an increase in funding for New York’s Family Courts to address a crisis in the courts affecting children, parents and caregivers. He joined the chairs of the state Senate and Assembly Judiciary and Children and Families committees, Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and Assembly Members … Continued

New York State Bar Association 2024 Legislative Priorities

Building on the momentum of the New York State Bar Association’s Government Relations Department successes in 2023, the Association will begin this month advocating for key legislative initiatives in both the state and national capitals for 2024. After consultation with the sections, committees and task forces, NYSBA’s legislative policy committee works with the government relations … Continued

Taking a Closer Look: Assessing Biometric Authentication

In health care settings, biometric authentication is often used to streamline the patient registration process by minimizing paperwork and improving patient intake to ensure secure, precise health care service delivery.[1] Notably, Elmhurst Hospital, the Mount Sinai Health System, New York University Langone Health and other hospitals in New York have integrated biometric authentication technologies into … Continued

Will a Life Estate Deed Protect My Home From Medicaid?

A popular Medicaid planning strategy in the past has been transferring a home to children, while reserving a “life estate” interest on the deed. The grantor-owner would be the “life estate holder” and the children would be the “remaindermen,” becoming the outright owners upon the death of the grantor. The value of the retained life … Continued

The New York State Bar Association’s 2023 Government Relations Legislative Update

The New York State Bar Association’s Government Relations Department had its most productive legislative session in years during 2023. Significant NYSBA priorities were signed into law, including a major increase in hourly rates for attorneys in 18b/assigned counsel cases, the Clean Slate Act, amendments to Notary Requirements, and the formation of a commission to study … Continued

A New Era of Legal Billing: How to Future-Proof Your Firm’s Processes 

The Billable Hour Reimagined: A Toolkit for Future-Focused Law Firms  Is the billable hour becoming a thing of the past? In an era where client expectations are reaching new heights, it’s crucial for your law firm to stay ahead of the curve. From understanding the nuances of various fee structures to embracing technology for streamlined … Continued