News Releases - New York State Bar Association

Category: News Releases

New York State Bar Association President Calls Retirement of Judge Paul Feinman ‘A Tremendous Loss’

March 23, 2021

The New York State Court of Appeals suffered a tremendous loss today with the sudden and unexpected retirement of Judge Paul Feinman — an exceptional judge, magnificent human being, and a champion of the LGBTQ community. He has been a wonderful colleague to so many of us at the New York State Bar Association, and we are saddened that his tenure on the state’s highest court will be so brief. I join with his family, friends and admirers throughout the state in wishing him a speedy recovery.

What You Need to Know as New York Nears Cannabis Legalization

March 23, 2021

By Brendan

As New York inches closer to legalizing, regulating and taxing cannabis, the state finds itself in a unique position. Not only does it have an opportunity to learn from states with robust legal cannabis markets but it can galvanize other states to help launch social equity programs. During a recent panel discussion sponsored by the … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Condemns Wave of Asian-American Hate Crimes

March 18, 2021

By Brandon

These brutal murders in Georgia, targeting members of the Asian-American community, should outrage all who believe in inclusiveness – a bedrock American ideal. Regardless of whether authorities determine that these abhorrent attacks were hate crimes, they were without a doubt senseless acts of violence that have robbed Asian-Americans of their right to feel safe and secure in their homes, workplaces and neighborhoods.

Meet the Columbia Law Professor Who’s Seen The Humanitarian Crisis at the Southern Border

March 16, 2021

By Brendan

As the director of the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, Elora Mukhurjee has been to the U.S./Mexico border twice. Each time she provided legal services to asylum seekers but it was a trip in June 2019 to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB) facility in Texas where she got a first-hand look … Continued

New York State Bar Association Calls on U.S. Senate To Pass George Floyd Justice in Policing Bill

March 3, 2021

By Brandon

NYSBA President Scott M. Karson issued the following statement today: The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) supports the George Floyd Justice in Policing bill that the House of Representatives passed today. Ever since the tragic death of George Floyd while in police custody on May 25, 2020, NYSBA’s Task Force on Racial Injustice and … Continued

NY Law Professor To Speak About Enabling Former President Trump’s Degradation of the Rule of Law

February 15, 2021

By Brandon

Accepting an award from the New York State Bar Association this month, Professor Bennett Gershman will discuss how lawyers allowed former President Donald Trump to subvert the rule of law, undermine constitutional rights and engage in conduct destructive of democracy.

Betty Lugo Awarded 2020 Ruth G. Schapiro Award at NYSBA Annual Meeting

January 26, 2021

By Brendan

Betty Lugo, a founding member of Pacheco & Lugo, the first Hispanic women-owned law firm in New York, received the 2020 Ruth G. Schapiro Memorial Award on Tuesday during the New York State Bar Association’s Women in Law section meeting.

Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson To Discuss His Report on Institutional Racism in the Court System

January 26, 2021

By Brandon

Former U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson, a partner at Paul, Weiss in New York City, will be the keynote speaker at a “virtual lunch” held by the New York State Bar Association’s Judicial Section from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Jan. 29, the final day of the association’s two-week Annual Meeting. Chief … Continued

NYSBA President Scott M. Karson Applauds President Biden’s Decision to Lift Restrictions on Transgender Service Members

January 25, 2021

By Brandon

Scott M. Karson, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement in response to President Joseph Biden’s executive order lifting restrictions on transgender military service members: “Today we celebrate a decision that brings us another step closer to a stronger and more inclusive armed forces. The New York State Bar Association … Continued

NYSBA Honors Attorney General, Law Attorneys, Firms for Pro Bono Service and 2020 Empire State Counsel

January 20, 2021

By Brandon

New York State Attorney General Letitia James will deliver the keynote address and receive an award for her leadership and commitment to advancing access to justice for all New Yorkers by the New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) President’s Committee on Access to Justice (PCAJ) on Thursday, Jan. 21 at the 2021 NYSBA Annual Meeting.