New York State Bar Association President Claire P. Gutekunst issued the following statement today. “The New York State Bar Association has long supported judicial independence as essential to maintaining the rule of law and protecting individual rights. An independent judiciary, able to make rulings based upon the law, rather than under pressure from the legislative … Continued

Six section chairs of the New York State Bar Association assumed office during the Association’s Annual Meeting Jan. 23–28. They are: Michael Weiner, Antitrust Law Section Weiner is co-leader of Dechert’s Antitrust/Competition Practice Group (New York City), which provides strategic advice, resolves government investigations and effectively litigates for clients with antitrust issues Weiner has degrees … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Claire Gutekunst today said providing civil and criminal legal services for low-income New Yorkers are “high budget priorities” for the Association. “We submit that legitimate budgetary concerns should not reduce access to justice for the poor, the weak and the vulnerable,” she said in testimony submitted to the budget … Continued

New York State Bar Association President Claire Gutekunst today released the following statement about legal representation of individuals affected by the Executive Order issued January 27 by President Donald Trump: “The New York State Bar Association commends the many lawyers who have worked around the clock to protect the legal rights of individuals who found … Continued

Former Adirondack Park Agency Chair Dr. Ross S. Whaley has been honored by the New York State Bar Association with its 2017 Environmental Law Section award. Whaley, an influential advocate for sustainable development, received the award on Jan. 26 during the Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. “This award is given in recognition … Continued

Maryann Saccomando Freedman, a former president of the State Bar Association, and E. Stewart Jones Jr., a Troy-based criminal defense attorney, have been honored with the 2017 Attorney Professionalism Awards by the Committee on Attorney Professionalism of the State Bar Association. Freedman and Jones received their awards on January 26 during the Association’s House of … Continued

Janet DiFiore, chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, is the 2016 recipient of the Ruth G. Schapiro Memorial Award given by the New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Women in the Law. DiFiore received the award on January 27 during the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. It recognizes … Continued

Six affinity bar associations have been honored by the New York State Bar Association Committee for Bar Leaders of New York State with Innovation Awards for their outstanding public service. The bar associations recognized are: Association of Black Women Attorneys; Dominican Bar Association; Asian American Bar Association of New York; Metropolitan Black Bar Association; Women’s … Continued

Judges Lawrence K. Marks, William C. Thompson and Milton Mollen have been honored by the Judicial Section of the New York State Bar Association. The jurists received their awards January 27 at the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. “The Judicial Section is thrilled to be acknowledging the accomplishments of three legal … Continued

Jean F. Gerbini (Albany) and Laurie A. Giordano-Vahey (Rochester) were presented with John E. Leach Memorial Awards during the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting January 25. The awards recognize outstanding service and distinguished contributions to the legal profession as a member of the Bar Association’s Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law (TICL) Section. “Jean … Continued