The New York State Bar Association honored David M. Tang, an attorney committed to diversity in the legal profession, with the Ruth Bader Ginsburg Vanguard Award in a virtual celebration on Oct. 3. Tang, a partner at Underberg & Kessler in Rochester, represents and advises clients in business, health care, restructuring and commercial litigation matters. … Continued
The emergence of decentralized digital technologies such as the metaverse, blockchain and cryptocurrency, along with artificial intelligence, is reshaping the practice of law, and the New York State Bar Association is examining the global implications of this phenomenon. More than 40 legal and technology industry experts from around the globe will offer their analysis of … Continued
I submit this as my declaration of candidacy for the office of President-Elect. My candidacy is derived from my gratitude to the profession I have been fortunate to enjoy for 30 years. I am enthusiastic about the challenge and eager to serve. I am a proud graduate of Boston College and Villanova Law School. I … Continued
As COVID closed down the country, we received notice that the practice of law was, with some exceptions, not essential. We were told our practices were being shut down. I recall one attorney who told me how he had to hide in his office with the blinds drawn so not to be in violation of … Continued
Jeh Johnson, the former secretary of homeland security, will receive the New York State Bar Association’s Gold Medal Award, its highest honor, at the association’s Presidential Gala Jan. 18 at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. “Jeh has been a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion,” said Richard Lewis, president of the … Continued
In March 2023, bank regulators closed Silicon Valley Bank and Signature Bank and appointed the FDIC as liquidator. Signature Bank in particular provided banking services to many New York law firms and, therefore, held many attorney trust or escrow accounts. While most bank and credit union deposits benefit from federal insurance issued by the Federal … Continued
The report of the association’s Task Force on Advancing Diversity recommends colleges and graduate schools that want to achieve diversity should eliminate the preferential treatment in admissions given to athletes, the children of alumni and the family of donors. The report also recommends moving away from standardized tests and grade point averages and focusing … Continued
New York State Bar Association President Richard Lewis issued the following statement about Dennis W.H. Kwok: Recently, the Hong Kong government issued an arrest warrant and a bounty of HK$1,000,000 (about US$127,500) for Dennis W.H. Kwok, a Hong Kong barrister, accusing him of committing an offense under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law for “collusion … Continued
In late September, after months of negotiation between state governors and President Joe Biden, the United States will grant temporary deportation relief and access to work permits to Venezuelan migrants already in the country. Nearly half a million migrants who arrived here before July 31 will be eligible for temporary protected status for 18 months. … Continued
Kapil Longani is senior vice chancellor for legal affairs and general counsel for the State University of New York, which is comprised of 64 campuses across New York State. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Advancing Diversity. Longani recently published an essay on the decision by his … Continued