Author: Rebecca Melnitsky

NYSBA Leader Rises to Presidency of Continuing Legal Education Association

Kathy Suchocki, associate executive director of the New York State Bar Association, was installed as president of the Association for Continuing Legal Education at ACLEA’s annual meeting this past weekend in Montreal. Suchocki, ACLEA’s president-elect for the past year, ascended to the presidency following a successful year implementing the New York State Bar Association’s new … Continued

Figuring Out How To Spend Your Retirement

For lawyers, transitioning from a busy career to retirement takes planning, preparation, and finding meaningful ways to spend time. The New York State Bar Association recently hosted a discussion on the emotional challenges of retirement, and how attorneys can create a sense of purpose after their legal careers. The speakers were: Ann Lapinski, retired director … Continued

Profiles in Leadership: Past President Glenn Lau-Kee

Describe your journey on becoming a NYSBA leader. I was admitted to practice in 1975, but it wasn’t until 1990 that I first joined the Asian American Bar Association of New York, first serving on its board and then as its president. I also became a member of the New York County Lawyers Association and … Continued

NYSBA To Host Seminar on Using AI for Attorney-Client Conversations

The New York State Bar Association is hosting a program on the ethical use of artificial intelligence for high-stakes client conversations. AI can be used to streamline and enhance client services without compromising confidentiality, attorney-client privilege, or professionalism. It can flag potential legal issues, list questions, and summarize conversations in real time. The webinar, “AI … Continued

NYSBA Opposes Senate Legislation Linking Broadband Funding to Prohibition of Artificial Intelligence Regulations

New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet sent a letter June 26 to New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, expressing “our opposition to the proposed provision in the Senate’s reconciliation legislation that would condition state access to federal broadband funding on a prohibition of state-level regulations of artificial intelligence.” “In 2020, the … Continued

Tackling Aging and Cognitive Decline in the Legal Profession

What should be done when a lawyer starts to forget important information? What happens when that interferes with representing clients or running a firm? Does that mean it is time to stop practicing law? The New York State Bar Association tackled the difficult issue of aging-related cognitive decline in lawyers and the effects on the … Continued

New York State Bar Association Supports Birthright Citizenship

Kathleen Sweet, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement today about the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on birthright citizenship: “The U.S. Supreme Court did not rule today on the constitutionality of birthright citizenship but on the right of federal judges to issue nationwide injunctions pausing the administration’s Executive Orders. The … Continued

How Nonprofits Can Protect Immigrant Clients

Nonprofits need to stay on top of developments in immigration law as Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, arrests and deports more non-citizens. The New York State Bar Association recently hosted a seminar focusing on the changes the administration has made to immigration enforcement, and how nonprofits can best protect their staff and the immigrant … Continued

LGBTQ+ Lawyers Are Out and Open in the Legal Profession

For LGBTQ+ attorneys, feeling welcome and included in the legal profession means finding community and being visible. The New York State Bar Association recently hosted a discussion between LGBTQ+ attorneys about being their full selves at work in honor of Pride Month. The speakers were: Sam Buchbauer, LGBTQ+ Law Section chair and associate attorney at … Continued