TOPIC: Paying for a recommendation or referral. DIGEST: A website that promises to connect potential clients with attorneys whom the website claims have excellent qualifications and are carefully vetted, constitutes an “advertisement” on behalf of the lawyers available through the website (see Rule 1.0(a) and Rule 7.1), and the lawyers’ payment to the business providing … Continued
TOPIC: Disclosing confidential information to government agency that is funding a client’s representation. DIGEST: An attorney may not report a client’s confidential information to a government agency that funds the representation of the client without the client’s informed consent. RULES: 1.0(j), 1.4, 1.6(a)-(b), 1.8(f), 1.9(c), 1.18(b) FACTS: The inquirer receives funding from a government agency … Continued
Helen Naves, the recently-installed co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Membership Committee, wants to bring the far-flung lawyers of the association closer together in her new role. An international banking lawyer with a practice in São Paulo, Brazil, Naves will be joining Michelle Wildgrube, partner at Cioffi Slezak Wildgrube, as co-chair. “I’m super … Continued
The Copyright Act ensures that its protections extend to creative works even after the death of the author. However, no copyright can last forever, and, as of Jan. 1, 2024, an iconic American cartoon has now entered the public domain: Steamboat Willie.[1] For those unfamiliar with Disney lore, the cartoon is synonymous with the character … Continued
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The New York State Bar Association supports the bill (S7524/A10350) the state Legislature passed to expand e-filing and calls on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign it. The bill allows Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas to permit e-filing in any state trial court. Pro se litigants and lawyers without the technical skills or equipment to e-file … Continued
The New York State Bar Association is calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to sign a bill that would allow New Yorkers with a felony conviction to serve on a jury. State Senate bill 206A/Assembly bill 1432A lifts the lifetime ban on jury service. Once New Yorkers have served their sentences including probation or community supervision, … Continued
As we mourn the loss of Maryann Saccomando Freedman, the first female president of the New York State Bar Association, we share this podcast interview and corresponding article from December 5, 2022. She shared many experiences from her life and her term as president during the conversation with past president David Miranda. Trailblazer Maryann Saccomando … Continued
Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the death of the association’s first female president: “As the first female president of the association, Maryann Saccomando Freedman led by example, making it easier for women and people of color to rise to the top ranks of the New … Continued