In the years following passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, courts took the first steps toward creating a legal doctrine now known as the “ministerial exception.” The ministerial exception provides that the government is barred from interfering with a religious institution’s ability to hire and fire ministers,[i] including by prohibiting it from enabling employees … Continued
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed new laws last week that will strengthen protections for victims of domestic and gender-based violence by seizing guns from perpetrators and protecting confidentiality. The laws grant New York residents who have been subjected to domestic violence the right to have their voting records sealed, get out of shared telecommunications … Continued
On this episode of Miranda Warnings, host David Miranda and guest Albany Law Professor Vin Bonventre look at the great dissenting opinions of the last 40 years in New York State’s highest court. The 30-minute podcast covers issue that still resonate today such as the freedom to marry, the rights of patients and the rules … Continued
In a celebration of National Pro Bono Week, the New York State Bar Association, New York County Lawyers Association and the Office of Court Administration honored 23 attorneys for their work on behalf of needy New Yorkers. The honorees donated their time and expertise in many practice areas including child support and custody, tenant landlord … Continued
More than 40 million Americans, mostly people under 35 years of age, have student loan debt. COVID-19 has exacerbated the financial challenges these individuals face. While Congress did provide relief, more needs to be done including extending the moratorium on payments, expanding the program to private loans, and providing targeted monetary relief in cases of … Continued
The New York State Bar Association Criminal Justice Section honored three distinguished leaders during its Fall 2022 Awards Dinner Friday evening. Criminal Justice Section Chair David Louis Cohen presented the awards at the Bar Center in Albany. The three award recipients were: The Honorable Shirley Troutman, the Vincent E. Doyle, Jr. Award for Outstanding Judicial … Continued
The latest evolution of the internet, known as Web3, will disrupt all aspects of the legal profession, from drafting contracts and filing documents to storing records and establishing trademarks. As corporate leaders, government entities and philanthropic organizations embrace this technology, tech-savvy attorneys who understand the implications will be rewarded with enormous opportunities to expand their … Continued
The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization may be a precursor of other decisions that limit individual rights, according to speakers at the Thursday webinar “Women on the Move – Aftershocks: Implications of the Dobbs Decision.” The webinar was presented by the Women in Law Section of the New York … Continued
A highlight of NYSBA’s biannual Partnership Conference is the presentation of the Denison Ray and Phil Dailey awards recognizing excellence in the civil legal services field. “These awards honor the people who work hard every day to bring civil legal services to those in need, who might otherwise face a life-altering crisis without your assistance,” … Continued
Legal Services providers discussed the difficulties clients have had navigating government safety net programs — especially during the pandemic — and how lawyers can help. Speaking at NYSBA’s biannual Partnership Conference, the panel of experts reported that the pandemic related government shutdown impacted subsidized nutritional programs, Social Security benefits and emergency housing. Applying for temporary … Continued