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.
To learn more about this Section, please contact Tiffany Bardwell
[email protected]
(518) 487-5675
Domenick Napoletano of Brooklyn is the General Practice Section’s Chair and is also serving his second term as NYSBA treasurer.
Napoletano is a solo practitioner focusing on complex commercial litigation and appellate work while maintaining a general practice. A number of his cases have appeared in published decisions, most involving real property, and tenancy and occupancy issues. He has also spearheaded various state and federal class action lawsuits, including one against the New York City Department of Finance for its imposition of ‘vault taxes.’
Among his NYSBA activities, Napoletano is co-chair of NYSBA’s Emergency Task Force for Solo and Small Firm Practitioners as well as the Committee on Civil Practice Law and Rules. He is a member of NYSBA’s Restarting the Economy Work Group and the COVID-19 Recovery Task Force working group on landlord-tenant disputes. He has served on many NYSBA committees including Finance, Leadership Development, Bar Leaders of New York State, Animals in the Law, the President’s Committee on Access to Justice, Task Force on the Evaluation of Candidates for Election to Judicial Office and the Task Force on Mass Shootings and Assault Weapons.
Napoletano also served on NYSBA’s Executive Committee as vice president from the Second Judicial District, and the House of Delegates representing the Brooklyn Bar Association. He is a past president of the Brooklyn Bar Association, the Columbian Lawyers Association of Brooklyn, the Confederation of Columbian Lawyers of the State of New York and the Catholic Lawyers Guild of Kings County.
While in college and throughout law school, Napoletano worked for then–New York State Assemblyman Michael L. Pesce, who recently retired as presiding justice of the state Supreme Court Appellate Term for the 2nd, 11th and 13th Judicial Districts. Napoletano earned his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Brooklyn College.
This presentation will discuss the preparation and handling of virtual hearings. There will be discussion about litigating in the local and county courts during COVID-19.
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 Matthew N. Bobrow, 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. The copying, reselling, duplication, transferring, reproducing, reusing, retaining or reprinting of this publication is strictly prohibited without permission. © New York State Bar Association. All rights reserved. ISSN 0733-639X (print) ISSN 1933-8422 (online)
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.
We appreciate any feedback you may have. Please email your comments and suggestions to:
Leonard E. Sienko, Jr., Esq., Contributing Editor
[email protected]
A publication of the General Practice Section of the New York State Bar Association. Can’t see this edition? Please view it here.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
View NYSBA’s Legal Links of Interest page: A comprehensive collection of links to other legal Web sites.
See also:
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.
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 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.)
Read the Report of the NYSBA Special Committee on Solo and Small Firm Practice – June 2009
