On Sept. 19, 2025, the New York State Bar Association Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee co-sponsored the 18th Annual Caren Aronowitz Unity Diversity Program. Chialu (Gisele) Brown, Lina Maria Diaz, Judge Helena Heath, Albert Feuer, and Duane Frankson represented the DEI Committee as volunteers. This event was presented by several organizations, including: The Gender Fairness … Continued
Two Family Court judges honored for their service to New York’s children and families instead honored their staff, colleagues and families. The New York State Bar Association recognized Brooklyn Family Court Judge Jacqueline Deane and Oneida County Family Court Judge Paul Deep with the Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child … Continued
Law practice management programs that keep track of staff responsibilities and communications with clients can help attorneys avoid ethical transgressions. A continuing legal education course produced by the New York State Bar Association’s General Practice Section revealed the top ethical mistakes attorneys make and how to avoid them. Jordan Turk, a legal technology adviser and … Continued
The New York State Bar Association, among several other bar associations throughout the United States, has been struggling to stay relevant among drastic alterations in the legal profession and society. Throughout the past several decades, the rates of voluntary bar association membership have declined, while the rates of drug and alcohol issues among lawyers and costs … Continued
Brooklyn Family Court Judge Jacqueline Deane and Oneida County Family Court Judge Paul Deep will receive the Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare. Judge Jacqueline Deane As a trainer with the Legal Aid Society for Juvenile Rights and a professor at NYU Law Clinics, Judge Deane has dedicated her … Continued
New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet has been named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year in professional and medical malpractice defense law for the Buffalo region. The Best Lawyers award is highly selective, with only 5% of U.S. lawyers and 3% globally receiving the honor. The designation is the result of thousands of … Continued
Published August 27, 2025 and reprinted with permission of The Buffalo News. As Gov. Hochul considers whether to sign the Medical Aid in Dying (MAID) Act, it’s vital that New Yorkers understand what the bill does and does not do. As president of the New York State Bar Association and a member of NYSBA’s … Continued
Catherine van Kampen is the managing director of staff attorneys and senior counsel at Bernstein Litowitz Berger and Grossmann with expertise in complex international litigation. She is the co-chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Leadership Development. She and co-chair Christopher McNamara developed the Leadership Academy in 2025 and plan to make … Continued
Practitioners should be aware of several important changes to the New York State Inactive Hazardous Waste Disposal Sites Program, also known as the State Superfund,[1] that were recently enacted as part of the governor’s 2025-2026 budget bill.[2] As discussed below, among other things, the amendments significantly clarify and strengthen the program and the state’s ability … Continued
This column reviews new legislation amending the Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law and related statutes. The discussion that follows will highlight key provisions of the new laws, which the reader should review for specific details. Where indicated, legislation enacted by both the Assembly and Senate is awaiting the governor’s signature; the reader should check to … Continued