General Practice Section

General Practice Section

The General Practice Section seeks to provide information that helps general practice and solo/small firm attorneys in the daily practice of law.

One of our primary goals is to enhance the competence and skills of lawyers engaged in the general practice of law, to improve their ability to deliver the most efficient and highest quality legal services to their clients and to provide a forum through which general practitioners may cooperate and assist each other in the resolution of the daily issues of practicing law.

This Section, alone or in coordination with other sections and committees of the New York State Bar Association (hereinafter referred to as the Association) shall plan and conduct such continuing legal education programs, collect, publish and distribute such educational and professional materials, and undertake such other and diverse activities authorized from time by the Association and the officers and Executive Committee of the Section as shall enhance the competence and skills of lawyers engaged in the general practice of law and improve their ability to deliver the most efficient and highest quality legal services to their clients. Its activities shall be designed also to enhance the role of general practitioners as contributing members and leaders of their communities, the legal profession and the Association, and to provide a medium through which general practitioners may cooperate with, encourage and assist each other in the resolution of problems common to them and to the legal profession, all to their mutual benefit and that of the membership of the Association and the legal profession at large, and to the benefit of the substantive body of law in New York and of the general administration of justice throughout the state.

Contact the General Practice Section Liaison

To learn more about this Section, please contact Kate Tortora
[email protected]
(518) 487-5535

Please do not contact the Section liaison with a request for legal advice or an attorney referral. You can instead visit our ‘Public Resources’ or ‘Lawyer Referral Service’ page for this type of request.

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Bruce Hafner

Bruce Hafner assumes the position of chair of the section with over 40 years of experience as a lawyer. Hafner began his career with a focus on trade regulation. After relocating to Long Island, he turned to the areas of elder and family law, estate planning and litigation as well as real estate and commercial transactions.

Hafner is a graduate of St. John’s University School of Law.

Online Community

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Section Publications

One on One- Vol. 43 No. 2

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One on One Archive

One on One

The General Practice Section Publication (One on One) features peer-written substantive articles about current issues facing the general practitioner, and provides updates on Section activities and ethics opinions. Edited by Martin Minkowitz, Richard Klass and Emily Sappol, One on One is published by the General Practice Section and distributed to Section Members free of charge.

One on One is published as a benefit for members of the General Practice Section and is copyrighted by the New York State Bar Association.

Submit an article for future publication

wEbrief

wEbrief is the email newsletter of the New York State Bar Association’s General Practice Section. wEbrief brings practical, informative and useful information to you, in a technologically advanced medium. In its weekly format, wEbrief offers you the best of the General Practice Section blog, as well as case information and updates.

Members of the General Practice Section are automatically added to the wEbrief distribution list with the email address they have provided for their member record. If you prefer not to receive weekly wEbrief emails, you may unsubscribe at any time using the link located at the bottom of each message.

Author Guidelines

NYSBA has created comprehensive author guidelines, with information regarding our reprint policy, style guidelines, and obtaining MCLE Author Credits.

View the author guidelines

General Practice Section Committee

Awards

Given annually, or at the discretion of the General Practice Section, to honor an individual who is outstanding, innovative, and has made significant contributions to improve the daily practice of law for general practitioners in New York State.

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Bylaws of the General Practice Section

As approved on January 2012.

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Blog

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NYSBA Committee on Law Practice Management

Law Practice Management resources provide lawyers, law firm managers and legal professionals with information on practice management trends, marketing, client development, legal technology and finance. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a managing partner at a national law firm, you’ll find law practice management resources to meet your day-to-day practice needs. Checklists, best practices, publications and continuing legal education programs provide up-to-date information and practical tips to help you better manage your law practice.

Visit the LPM home page

Lawyer Assistance Program

The NYSBA Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) provides education and confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, law school students, and immediate family members who are affected by the problem of substance abuse, stress, depression or other mental health issues. Its goal is to assist in the prevention, early identification and intervention of problems that can affect professional conduct and quality of life. Visit the link below or call 1.800.255.0569.

Visit the NYSBA LAP home page

Committee on Lawyers in Transition

The NYSBA Committee on Lawyers in Transition was initially formed to address the challenges faced by attorneys who have left the workplace temporarily, for brief or extended periods, on maternity or paternity leave, or because of family or other obligations, and then wish to return to the workforce after such absences. With the growing number of lawyers finding themselves in “transition” not by choice, the committee’s immediate focus is now on attorneys who have been laid off due to the economic downturn. If you are currently unemployed, looking to make a career change, leave your current job or transition back to the workforce after time away from the profession, the Committee on Lawyers in Transition is here to help.

Visit the NYSBA LIT home page

Jobs and Careers

NYSBA offers a variety of resources for attorneys new to the profession or looking to make a career transition. Use the link below to search for positions, post resumes, or set up e-mail alerts. Employers now have a way to reach the unsurpassed talent of New York attorneys – and the more than 74,000 members of NYSBA.

Visit the NYSBA Jobs and Careers home page

Lawyer Referral and Information Service

The Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) has been in existence since 1981. Our service provides referrals to attorneys in 44 counties. Lawyers who are members of the LRIS pay an annual fee of $75 ($125 for non-NYSBA members). Proof of malpractice insurance in the minimum amount of $100,000 is required of all participants. If you are retained by a referred client, agree to pay the LRIS 10% of the entire fee for any case of $500 or more.

The LRIS staff receives more than 100 calls per day from members of the public seeking legal assistance. These calls are screened by our staff to elicit pertinent information regarding the nature of their legal problem. Callers that would be more appropriately helped by other organizations, such as other bar referral services, legal aid societies, or governmental agencies are given contact information for these offices.

Callers needing the advice of an attorney, and who can afford to pay a private attorney, are referred to LRIS panel members on a rotating basis. They are told to expect a ½ hour in-office $35 consultation fee, and to be sure to mention that they were referred by the New York State Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. After the initial consultation the attorney sets their own fees.

Visit the NYSBA LRIS home page

Pro Bono

Pro Bono Services

wEbrief

We appreciate any feedback you may have. Please email your comments and suggestions to:

Leonard E. Sienko, Jr., Esq., Contributing Editor
[email protected]

Planning Ahead: A Guide for Solo Practitioners

Planning Ahead is provided to all attorneys as a courtesy of the NYSBA Committee on Law Practice Continuity. Download a free PDF copy and interactive form-fill forms (currently not available for purchase as a hard copy, pending updates due to April 1, 2009 New York Rules of Professional Conduct. Hard copies available for purchase when updates complete.)

View the Planning Ahead Guide