Lawyers that expected to efile cases last week instead used those skills to efile their children’s homework via Google Classroom. Others improved their oral advocacy skills through the help of their new full-time clients: teenagers. With schools closed throughout New York State and many law firms working remotely, several lawyers spent last week adjusting to … Continued
Good evening Members, Important news for personal injury lawyers as Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has issued an executive order granting qualified immunity to medical personnel treating patients with COVID-19. The order, which modifies sections of the education law, reads as follows: “…[T]o the extent necessary to provide that all physicians, physician assistants, specialist assistants, nurse … Continued
Recent reports of bias incidents relating to coronavirus aimed at persons of Asian and Jewish descent are deeply disturbing. The New York State Bar Association strongly condemns these acts and we call on the appropriate authorities to act immediately and forcefully to address them. Our Task Force on Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes, chaired by … Continued
Law schools are moving their classes online to protect the health and safety of students and faculty. But this virus is raising new concerns about how to ensure equity in classes held remotely during a time that students are also dealing with the fallout of a global health emergency. “Nobody’s experienced anything like this,” said … Continued
No one knows when, but at some point the coronavirus will recede and the law profession will emerge into a changed world: With legal activity choked off by the pandemic, law firms may be forced to lay off — or delay hiring — attorneys and other staff or may even shut their doors. Some types … Continued
The ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is among the most devastating and disruptive forces in recent history, with, as of the writing of this article, tens of thousands of cases confirmed worldwide. In an effort to curb the outbreak, governments have introduced various emergency measures, including travel restrictions, curfews, bans on public gatherings, and mandatory quarantines. … Continued
The swift action of the New York state governor and the courts to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has dramatically decreased litigators’ workloads and led us to ask what’s next. In particular, what’s next for us? Just one week ago, on March 16, at 5 p.m., New York state courts closed their … Continued
New York State Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence K. Marks issued an administrative order on Sunday, March 22 that effectively halts all court activity in New York with the exception of essential proceedings. The order went into effect immediately upon issuance. The list of essential proceedings is subject to ongoing review and amendment as necessary, and … Continued
Today, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo continued to demonstrate his outstanding leadership during this time of crisis. As he updated New Yorkers on the latest information, he urged, in the strongest possible terms, for the President to take swift and decisive actions and for our Congressional delegation to continue to fight for New York in … Continued
On March 21, 2020, Governor Andrew Cuomo issued Executive Order 202.9 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