New York State Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman today submitted testimony to the Joint Legislative Public Hearing on the Proposed 2018-19 Public Protection Budget in Albany. The testimony touches on a range of issues relating to New York’s courts and criminal justice system, including the Judiciary budget, bail reform, and reform of rules relating … Continued

Bernice K. Leber of New York City, a partner in the firm of Arent Fox, is the 2017 recipient of the Ruth G. Schapiro Memorial Award given by the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Women in the Law. President Sharon Stern Gerstman presented the award to Leber on January 26 at the State … Continued

Judges Paul G. Feinman, George J. Silver, Randall T. Eng and Karen K. Peters have been honored by the Judicial Section of the New York State Bar Association. The jurists received their awards January 26 at the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. “This year we recognized four judges who represent the … Continued

William J. Dreyer of Albany, founding partner of Dreyer Boyajian, has been honored with the 2018 Attorney Professionalism Award by the Committee on Attorney Professionalism of the State Bar Association. Dreyer received his award on January 25 during the Association’s House of Delegates dinner in New York City. The award recognizes members who display the … Continued

The New York State Bar Association on Friday approved a recommendation regarding access to legal services for victims of domestic violence and a resolution encouraging the court system to take steps to remove Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from courthouses. The initiatives were approved at the State Bar’s House of Delegates in New York … Continued

Richard S. Fries of New York City (Sidley Austin) has been awarded the New York State Bar Association Real Property Law Section Professionalism Award. The award honors an accomplished lawyer who personifies appreciation for the profession and state and local bar association involvement. Fries was presented the award January 25 during the Bar Association’s Annual … Continued

Marcia Bystryn, president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, has been honored by the New York State Bar Association with its 2018 Environmental & Energy Law Section award. Bystryn received the award on Jan. 25 during the Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. “This award is given in recognition of her … Continued

Jonathan A. Dachs of Shayne, Dachs, Sauer & Dachs was presented with the John E. Leach Memorial Award during the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting January 24. The award recognizes outstanding service and distinguished contributions to the legal profession as a member of the Bar Association’s Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law (TICL) Section. … Continued

Joan Lia Levy of Sleepy Hollow, who retired as vice president and assistant general counsel at JPMorgan Chase, and Anthony Szczygiel, a law professor who retired from the University at Buffalo School of Law after 34 years, are the 2018 recipients of the Jonathan Lippman Pro Bono Award, presented by the Senior Lawyers Section of … Continued

New York State Court of Appeals Judge Jenny Rivera and Justine M. “Tina” Luongo, attorney-in-charge of the Legal Aid Society’s Criminal Division, are among the four individuals honored for outstanding contributions to the criminal justice community. The recipients were honored January 24 by the Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar … Continued