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
What made you become involved and stay with NYSBA? Those of us who are career government attorneys can become isolated in our agencies from the other members of the Bar. I didn’t like that idea, so I decided to become active in my county bar and NYSBA, sometimes being the only government attorney present at … Continued
Attorneys in the public sector face stressors that lawyers in private practice do not. A recent program, “Prioritizing Support for Public Service Attorneys,” addressed funding and staffing changes and other issues that affect government employees. “Federal employees are facing unprecedented challenges, and our mental health and well-being as attorneys is a top priority,” said Amy … Continued
It seems you cannot listen to the news these days without hearing about a devastating flood, fire, hurricane, or other natural disaster. In the aftermath of disasters, the path to recovery is often fraught with legal, financial, and emotional obstacles. Among the most pressing challenges for affected individuals and communities are disputes related to insurance … Continued
Preparing a wrongful death case in Surrogate’s Court might feel like a daunting task for new attorneys. But it doesn’t have to be. The Trusts and Estates Section of the New York State Bar Association hosted a continuing legal education course that provides a comprehensive overview of wrongful death proceedings in Surrogate’s Court. The full … Continued
This week’s Miranda Warnings podcast features U.S. Supreme Court rulings ranging from the reach of executive power to the influence parents hold in determining school curriculum. The podcast brings together Albany Law School professor Vin Bonventre and political strategist Liz Benjamin. NYSBA past president and general counsel David Miranda moderates it. The U.S. Supreme Court … Continued
What made you become involved and stay with NYSBA? Back in December of 1978 I attended my first Broome County Bar Association holiday party. I was not yet admitted* and was accompanied by Security Mutual Life Insurance Co. of NY General Counsel Bob Byron, who encouraged me to participate in local bar activities. One of … Continued
The restoration of funding for the Legal Services Corporation, one of the New York State Bar Association’s top legislative priorities, is gaining support among New York’s Congressional delegation. Rep. Grace Meng of Queens spoke out against planned funding cuts to the Legal Services Corporation during a subcommittee hearing on the Fiscal Year 2026 federal budget. … Continued