Manhattan Attorney Lawrence Garbuz was dubbed “patient zero” after testing positive in the first known New York City coronavirus case, which led to the shutdown of his suburban neighborhood of New Rochelle. The moniker, he says, may be a bit unfair since other people unknowingly had coronavirus, but the 50-year-old with no underlying health conditions … Continued
Scott M. Karson, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement criticizing tenant advocates who harassed attorneys at the Brooklyn firm of Balsamo, Rosenblatt & Hall during three days of anti-eviction protests.
Good afternoon Members, During her weekly Monday update, Chief Judge Janet DiFiore said grand jurors began reporting for duty today in New York City’s five boroughs, with 8,000 New Yorkers summoned and 14 grand juries expected to be empaneled city-wide. “And building on the lessons learned throughout this process, plans are already in motion in … Continued
Being a lawyer is stressful in the best of times. Rates of mental illness, fatigue, substance use and other health issues are higher for those in the law than in any other profession. I recognize this firsthand, as the profession has exacted a physical toll on me. I am a Type 2 diabetic who takes … Continued
The chance of landing a new client is 8 to 1. The chance of getting work from an existing client is 3 to 1. This was one of several key takeaways delivered by Carol Schiro Greenwald, on the recent CLE webinar, “How To Create A Realistic And Effective Marketing Plan Despite COVID-19.” Even with the … Continued
On August 5, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.55 invoking new powers from a law passed to combat the COVID-19 pandemic to temporarily suspend or modify laws necessary to assist or aid in coping with a declared State disaster emergency. On March 3, 2020, the Governor signed into law legislation that expanded his … Continued
The Legal Writer continues its series on what we can learn from the great writing teachers. In this column, we continue our focus on William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White’s renowned little book, The Elements of Style. Part II of this two-part column addresses White’s core principles on effective style and Strunk’s recommendations on effective … Continued
One day over lunch, I was speaking to a lawyer friend about the spoken and unspoken pressures and unrealistic expectations inherent in the culture of law. As a clinical psychologist, I was struck by all the ways in which lawyers’ brains are trained, the unrealistic expectations they often have of themselves and the personal sacrifices … Continued
Good evening Members, The Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts, chaired by former New York State Bar Association President Henry M. Greenberg, has issued a report outlining recommended plans and goals for restarting in-person court proceedings, including grand juries and jury trials. The Commission’s report entitled, “Goals and Checklist for Restarting In-Person … Continued
As a 16-year old in 1967, William Eskridge, Jr., knew that he was a homosexual, but “gay was not a word then.” What that signified was you were a criminal and a psychopath, said Eskridge. “And those were the best that could be said for you.” He was not even aware of gay rights, he … Continued