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
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
Attorneys working at startups must be creative, resourceful, and thoughtful – as they are often the first legal hire. But they have the chance to build the future of their company and create a unique role. The New York State Bar Association recently hosted a program discussing what attorneys working at startup companies can expect. … Continued
Recently imposed tariffs on Brazilian goods are creating uncertainty for companies in both Brazil and the United States. Increases on the cost of exporting goods has left industries scrambling. The New York State Bar Association hosted a seminar discussing the rapidly changing landscape of trade and commerce and how companies and governments are responding. The … Continued
The New York State Bar Association is hosting a global conference in October in Hamburg, Germany, that will feature speakers from all over the world including Cairo, Athens, Tokyo, Milan, Lisbon, Seoul, Glasgow, Kyiv, Mexico City, Buenos Aires, São Paulo, Paris, Montréal, and Toronto. U.S. lawyers from Chicago, San Francisco, Hartford, Richmond and Washington, D.C., … 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