Citing “a shocking level of decline” in Americans’ understanding of the framework of our democracy, the New York State Bar Association today urged the state Board of Regents, Legislature, Governor and others to make the teaching of civics in our schools “an educational priority on par with reading and mathematics.” “Preserving the fundamental civic mission … Continued

Louis A. Craco, who has spent a 55-year legal career promoting professionalism and ethics in the profession, has been honored with the New York State Bar Association’s highest honor, the Gold Medal. State Bar President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) presented the 2014 award to Craco on Saturday, February 1, at the President’s … Continued

Former Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye is the inaugural recipient of the Distinguished Jurist Award, given by the Judicial Section of the New York State Bar Association. The award honors a jurist who embodies the highest ideals of the Judicial Section and recognizes judicial excellence and extraordinary commitment to the rule of law. Kaye received … Continued

Public policy advocate Robert Gangi is the 2014 recipient of the Haywood Burns Award given by the Committee on Civil Rights of the New York State Bar Association. Gangi of Manhattan, who received the award on January 30 at the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City, was honored for his lifelong commitment … Continued

White Plains attorney Kathleen Donelli is the 2013 recipient of the Ruth G. Schapiro Award, given by the Committee on Women in the Law of the New York State Bar Association. Donelli received the award on January 31 during the State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. It recognizes a State Bar member … Continued

The Conference of Bar Leaders, sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, has honored three bar associations with its 2013 Bar Leaders Innovation Awards. The awards recognize exemplary and creative programs sponsored during the past year by local, ethnic, specialty, minority and women’s bar associations. “Bar associations continually provide unique programs to meet the … Continued

Mount Kisco attorney John S. Marwell is the 2014 recipient of the Attorney Professionalism Award, given by the Committee on Attorney Professionalism of the New York State Bar Association. The award recognizes a member who displays the highest standards of professionalism, commitment to promoting respect for the legal system, outstanding ethical conduct, competence, good judgment, … Continued

David P. Miranda of Albany (Heslin Rothenberg Farley and Mesiti) today was named president-elect designee of the New York State Bar Association. The House of Delegates, the association’s governing body, elected Miranda during its Annual Meeting in New York City. He will begin a one-year term as president-elect on June 1, 2014, and a one-year … Continued

The New York State Bar Association has honored eight attorneys and jurists for their contributions to the criminal justice community in 2013. The awards, given out by the Bar Association’s Criminal Justice Section, were presented January 30 during the association’s Annual Meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City. “This year’s class … Continued

The Commercial and Federal Litigation Section of the New York State Bar Association has recognized U.S. District Court Judge Shira A. Scheindlin of the Southern District of New York with its Stanley H. Fuld Award. The award, named for the late chief judge of the state Court of Appeals, was presented on January 29 during … Continued