Recognizing the legal challenges faced by veterans, the New York State Bar Association has extended, through November 2014, a statewide program that provides discounted legal help to military veterans. The Veteran Referral Panel program, which began in November 2013, helps veterans with a broad range of legal matters, including obtaining federal benefits, military discharge upgrades, … Continued

Judges, practicing attorneys and educators will debate how to prepare law students for a rapidly changing profession on May 22 at the New York State Judicial Institute on Professionalism and the Law, 84 North Broadway on the campus of Pace University Law School in White Plains, NY. “The Coming Changes to Legal Education: Ensuring Professional … Continued

Judge Monica Drinane of the Bronx and Judge Vincent J. Reilly, Jr. of Schenectady were honored with the 2014 Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare, given by the Committee on Children and the Law of the New York State Bar Association. The award, presented on May 7 at the … Continued

The New York State Bar Association today renewed its call for significant reductions in the use of solitary confinement of inmates and new protocols for separating violent and nonviolent prisoners. “New York’s correctional system makes too much use of solitary confinement,” said State Bar President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody). “Prolonged solitary confinement … Continued

Lifespan of Greater Rochester is the recipient of a $5,000 grant, the New York Bar Foundation announced today. Through its “Future Care Planning Services Program,” Lifespan helps families of developmentally disabled adult children with aging caregivers create a long-term-care plan. Ed Riviera and his family benefited from the Future Care program. Riviera’s mother and father … Continued

Law students who helped hundreds of veterans with their legal matters and a law firm that donated nearly 22,000 hours of pro bono services are among the 18 winners of the New York State Bar Association’s 2014 President’s Pro Bono Service Awards. The awards were presented at a Law Day luncheon on April 30 at … Continued

A series of New York State Bar Association radio announcements—one on the need for a will and the other on the importance of civics education—hit airwaves across upstate New York this week. State Bar Association President David M. Schraver of Rochester (Nixon Peabody) narrates the radio spots that will air through May 25. Each topic … Continued

The state Legislature, which put money in the budget for 20 additional Family Court judges, must now pass a second bill “without delay” so that the judges can began hearing cases in January, New York State Bar President David M. Schraver said today. In an April 24 letter, Schraver of Rochester (Nixon, Peabody) thanked members … Continued

The New York State Bar Association today extends its sympathy to the family and friends of Angelo T. Cometa, who served as its president between 1990 and 1991. He passed away April 16, near Baltimore. “Angelo Cometa made an indelible impact on the legal profession and public during his years of bar leadership. He helped … Continued

Manhattan attorney Kay Crawford Murray has been honored with the 2014 Honorable George Bundy Smith Pioneer Award, given by the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section of the New York State Bar Association. Murray is the former general counsel to the New York City Department of Juvenile Justice. She was recognized for her commitment to legal … Continued