New York State Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman today urged for the continuation of adequate funding of the state court system to ensure access to justice for all New Yorkers. “We continue to emphasize that the Judiciary is the co-equal third branch of government. While we do not expect that funding for the courts … Continued

The New York State Bar Association has approved two groundbreaking reports with recommendations that, if adopted by the Legislature, “will help protect consumers who use online legal documents and will simplify, modernize and update New York’s trust law,” announced Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman of Buffalo (Magavern, Magavern and Grimm LLP). Regulation of online legal … Continued

The New York State Bar Association’s House of Delegates has approved a report that determined women attorneys remain considerably underrepresented in courtrooms across the state as well as in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The report entitled “If Not Now, When? Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR,” was compiled by the … Continued

The New York State Bar Association joins the entire nation and legal community in mourning the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. “We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone whose lives have been devastated by this despicable act of violence,” said State Bar President Sharon Stern Gerstman. “It is time to seriously consider … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman today released the following statement in response to Trump Administration-proposed case completion deadlines and quotas on immigration judges. Gerstman also urged legislative reform and a statutory right to counsel for immigrants facing legal issues: “The New York State Bar Association has long supported judicial independence as … Continued

The New York State Bar Association joins the entire nation and legal community in mourning the victims of the Las Vegas shooting. “We extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to everyone whose lives have been devastated by this despicable act of violence,” said State Bar President Sharon Stern Gerstman. “It is time to seriously consider … Continued

Sharon Stern Gerstman, president of the New York State Bar Association, today issued the following statement encouraging support of The New York Bar Foundation’s disaster relief fund:  “Over the past several weeks, we have watched as hurricanes brought destruction to Houston, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and—most recently and intensively—Puerto Rico. Rebuilding needs will be … Continued

The New York State Bar Association today called on New Yorkers to “vote yes” on a referendum to authorize a Constitutional Convention to re-think how state government operates. “Our state Constitution is broken. It is badly in need of repair,” said Association President Sharon Stern Gerstman. “New Yorkers deserve better. You can make a difference. … Continued

The Dispute Resolution Section of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and the American College of Civil Trial Mediators (ACCTM) have announced the winners of the first NYSBA/ACCTM National Championship Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Student Writing Competition. The winner of the $10,000 national competition is Sarah Benzidi, an LL.M student from Harvard Law School. … Continued

The New York State Bar Association and The New York Bar Foundation have sponsored a new website called the Immigration Pro Bono Portal that connects volunteer attorneys with legal service organizations from around the state that serve immigrant communities. “The goal is to assist attorneys in finding pro bono volunteer opportunities helping low income immigrant … Continued