Author: Rebecca Melnitsky

New York State Bar Association To Host Program To Aid Human Trafficking Victims, Connect Lawyers With Pro Bono Opportunities

Human trafficking – labor that is forced through fraud or coercion – is often hidden in plain sight. From 2007 to 2021, the New York State Interagency Task Force on Human Trafficking identified 2,137 victims in the state including more than 500 minors. About two-thirds were exploited for sexual acts while the rest engaged in … Continued

NYSBA Commends Governor, Legislature for Protecting Constitutional Rights of Children, Indigent Adults

Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the approval of the 2024-25 state budget, which includes continued funding to adequately pay 18-B attorneys to represent children and indigent adults: “The New York State Bar Association commends the governor and the legislature for ensuring that the constitutional rights … Continued

New York State Bar Association Commends the Medical Society of The State of New York for Supporting Medical Aid In Dying

Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement in response to the Medical Society of the State of New York’s decision to support medical aid in dying: “Support for medical aid in dying offers both dignity and compassion for those grappling with what can be a very difficult time … Continued

New York State Bar Association Objects to Transfer of $55 Million Set Aside To Pay for Civil Legal Services For Low-Income New Yorkers

Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about a proposal in the state budget agreement that takes money away from low-income New Yorkers who need civil legal services: “The New York State Bar Association strenuously objects to the transfer of $55 million from the IOLA Fund to pay … Continued

Divorce Can Be Difficult For Same-Sex Couples

Breaking up is hard to do. And for married same-sex couples, past laws can complicate current divorce proceedings. The New York State Bar Association recently hosted a Continuing Legal Education course on the challenges facing same-sex couples as they try to end relationships and figure out issues related to dividing property and child custody. Margaret … Continued

Can You Get Fired For Speaking Your Mind Online?

Employees are free to express their opinions, but their employers may hold them responsible for the content of what they say. With the widespread use of social media and the blurring of the lines between work and home, many workplaces are dealing with these contentious issues. The New York State Bar Association hosted a Continuing … Continued

New York State Bar Association Event To Examine Issues Related to Social Media and Free Speech in the Workplace

What happens when political speech causes friction and disputes in the workplace? What rights do employees have when speaking about current events on social media? Many businesses and employers are struggling with these issues due to the recent conflict in the Middle East. An upcoming New York State Bar Association Continuing Legal Education Course, “’Free … Continued

Confronting Antisemitism With Historical Knowledge

Antisemitism, or hostility toward Jews, has a long history – going back thousands of years and before the advent of Christianity. And while the hatred can manifest from the subtle to the overt, it has sadly persisted though the millennia, causing violence and harm to Jewish people. At a recent Continuing Legal Education course hosted … Continued