Category: News Releases

NYSBA Recommends Reducing Reliance on Prisons and Courts as the Primary Treatment for People With Mental Illness

The legal system needs to move away from its role as the primary treatment for people with mental illness, the New York State Bar Association recommends in a report approved by its Executive Committee. In the report, the Task Force on Mental Health and Trauma Informed Representation detailed the many ways that people in crisis … Continued

NYSBA President Calls the Selection of Justice Joseph Zayas as Chief Administrative Judge the Perfect Choice for New York

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Chief Judge Rowan Wilson’s selection of Joseph Zayas, associate justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, as chief administrative judge: “Judge Joseph Zayas’ appointment to be New York’s next chief administrative judge is historic. He is the first Latino judge … Continued

New York State Bar Association Honors Former Judge With Haywood Burns Memorial Award

From left to right: CUNY School of Law Professor Natalie Gomez-Velez, President Sherry Levin Wallach, Judge Betty E. Staton, Committee on Civil Rights co-chairs Hanna Madbak and Michael Diederich Betty E. Staton, a former Family Court judge and president of Brooklyn Legal Services, received the Haywood Burns Memorial Award. She has dedicated her life to … Continued

President of New York State Bar Association Praises Caitlin Halligan’s Deep Commitment to Justice

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the state Senate’s confirmation of Caitlin Halligan as associate judge of the state Court of Appeals: “Caitlin Halligan is a gifted attorney with a tremendous breadth and depth of high-level litigation experience. Her ability to analyze issues and come … Continued

President of New York State Bar Association Calls Judge Rowan Wilson’s Historic Confirmation a Significant Milestone

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about the state Senate’s confirmation of Judge Rowan D. Wilson as chief judge of the Court of Appeals and the State of New York: “The historic appointment and confirmation of Judge Rowan D. Wilson as New York’s first African-American chief … Continued

Esteemed Worldwide Panelists To Lead Two-Day Symposium on the Metaverse and Decentralized Digital Technology

The emergence of decentralized digital technology is set to reshape the practice of law, and the New York State Bar Association is helping lawyers and other professionals prepare for the wide-reaching implications. In continuing NYSBA’s efforts to educate and inform, more than 30 worldwide experts in the legal profession and technology industry will offer their … Continued

New York State Bar Association Opposes Rollbacks in Discovery Reform, Calls for Issue To Be Handled Post Budget

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement on reports about changes to discovery reform being considered as part of ongoing state budget negotiations: “The New York State Bar Association in principle opposes rollbacks to the 2019 changes to the state’s discovery statutes, which were intended to bring … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Praises Gov. Hochul’s Selection of Judge Rowan Wilson as Chief Judge and Caitlin Halligan as Associate Judge of the Court of Appeals

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement about Gov. Kathy Hochul’s selection of Judge Rowan Wilson as chief judge and her announcement that she intends to nominate Caitlin Halligan as associate judge of the Court of Appeals to replace Wilson: “Judge Rowan D. Wilson is brilliant, conscientious, … Continued