The New York State Bar Association advocates for state and federal legislation and works tirelessly to promote equal access to justice for all. As part of that mission, the association addresses current events and issues that impact the legal profession and the rule of law. In the last year, President Kathleen Sweet and the association … Continued
New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet issued the following statement today: “The New York State Bar Association commends Governor Hochul’s Sensitive Locations Protection Act, which safeguards New Yorkers’ constitutional rights from federal overreach. By ensuring that sensitive locations – including schools — are protected from warrantless civil immigration enforcement and establishing a state … Continued
As more attorneys incorporate artificial intelligence into their practices, courts around the world are figuring out how to account for this technology while being aware of its risks. The New York State Bar Association hosted a global seminar for judges to share tips and strategies on handling AI in the courts. The speakers were: Judge … Continued
This article provides a brief practical overview of changes introduced by the One Big Beautiful Bill that are relevant to elder law and estate planning. We cover changes to 529 plans, ABLE Accounts, the new Trump Accounts, the Estate and Gift Tax Basic Exclusion amount, and changes to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security. Each section … Continued
The New York State Department of Veterans’ Services is launching a new grant program encouraging solo attorneys and law firms to commit time and resources to represent veterans. The program is co-sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and will provide grants to attorneys or firms in exchange for their representation of veterans who … Continued
Many professionals face the pressure of taking care of young children and elderly parents in addition to their demanding workloads. The New York State Bar Association is hosting a free seminar on the challenges of caring for loved ones while navigating high-pressure careers. “Thriving in the Chaos: Mastering the Professional-Caregiver Balance” will take place on … Continued
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The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Animals and the Law will present a three-part webinar exploring the emotional, practical, ethical, and legal complexities of end-of-life care for animals. The series, entitled “The End-of-Life Journey with our Beloved Animals: From Diagnosis to Life After Loss,” offers guidance from veterinarians, animal hospice experts and attorneys … Continued
The American Bar Association Standing Committee on Ethics and Professional Responsibility, in issuing Formal Opinion 518 in October 2025, has done the mediation field a favor, although not every individual mediator may agree. In revisiting lawyer-mediator obligations when dealing with unrepresented parties and clarifying a neutral’s obligations to be truthful in an environment where negotiation … Continued
How are federal executive orders limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives affecting LGBTQ+ attorneys? A seminar hosted by the New York State Bar Association’s LGBTQ+ Law Section delved into this question, as well as how LGBTQ+ attorneys can navigate this changed environment. The speakers were: Dena DeFazio, counsel at Barclay Damon. Louis DiLorenzo, co-managing member … Continued