Category: Latest News

Guardian of the Institution – NEW BOOK DEPICTS CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS’ STYLE AS A PERSON, A LAWYER AND A JURIST

Review and Commentary by Joseph W. Bellacosa At his Senate confirmation hearing for the post of Chief Justice of the United States, John Roberts memorably testified that he would simply “call balls and strikes.” That quip left out that, once confirmed, he would also manage every aspect of the game – under the master playbook … Continued

5 Tips for Better Time Management

Despite the term, “time management,” unfortunately, it isn’t actually possible to “manage” time. But it is possible to control what you do with your time so that you get more done in less time. This article covers five simple strategies for managing your activities to help improve productivity. 1. USE YOUR CALENDAR TO GET WORK DONE The … Continued

Two Men Met in 1935 – AND A RECOVERY PROGRAM WAS BORN

In 1935, two alcoholics, Bill Wilson, a New York stockbroker, and Bob Smith, an Ohio physician, met in Akron. When the meeting was over, it had become apparent to them that one alcoholic was uniquely able to carry the message of recovery to another alcoholic. That formula for success, which is the foundation of Alcoholics … Continued

How to Help Judges in Need of Help

The running joke in the old commercials for Maytag washers and dryers is that the “Maytag repairman is the loneliest person of all” because no one ever calls. Now he can share his loneliness with those who staff “help lines” dedicated to judges experiencing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental health issues or other stress-related problems. … Continued

Building a Virtual Bar Center

Over its 143-year history, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) has frequently adapted to meet the needs of members and the legal profession and do the public good. Time and again, we have expanded operations and broadened our outlook, as dictated by the needs of the day. Once again, the time for change is … Continued

Is Your Networking Stale?

Many successful networkers get into networking ruts without even realizing it. They do what they’ve always done, but don’t feel the time spent was valuable. Their networking group meetings seem flat. They attend to catch up with friends. The strategic reasons they joined the group and the opportunity to pursue goal-related ideas seem less relevant. … Continued

Season’s Wellness

Ah, the holidays. That magical time of year after Thanksgiving when deals have to close and fees have to be collected by 11:59 on December 31st. What lawyer doesn’t have memories of filing with the SEC with Dick Clark on in the background, or signing hundreds of documents as Corporate Secretary to complete the reorg … Continued

Street Art: Is Copyright for “Losers©™”? – A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE ON THE FRENCH AND AMERICAN LEGAL APPROACH TO STREET ART

INTRODUCTION “Copyright is for Losers©™” was spray-painted by the (in)famous street artist working under the name of Banksy. Street Art is the latest artistic movement that fascinates the masses. Graffiti was born millennia ago, with the earliest examples on the walls of the Lascaux Caves in France, in Pompeii or in Ancient Egypt. More recently, … Continued

Member Spotlight: Christopher R. Riano

Riano is executive director of the Center for Civic Education and public scholar of constitutional law. He lives and works in Manhattan. What do you find most rewarding about being an attorney? Being an attorney offers each of us the unique privilege of working to protect people in moments of immense complexity and hardship in … Continued