Monday, April 19 | Spring Forum Part One

2:00 – 2:50 p.m.

New York State Environmental Quality Review Act: Overview & Climate Change; CLCPA (1.0 credit in Professional Practice)

This CLE will provide a short overview of SEQRA and discuss how climate change is addressed under it. The 2019 New York State Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) will also be discussed. 

Panelists

Daniel A. Spitzer, Esq., Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo

Lawrence H. Weintraub, Esq., General Counsel, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany

Johnathan Binder, Esq., New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany

3:00 – 3:50 p.m. 

2021-22 Enacted New York State Budget (1.0 credit in Professional Practice)

Items of interest to Local & State Government Law practitioners will be discussed from what will likely be included in the newly enacted New York State Budget.

Panelists

Katie N. Hodgdon, Esq., Counsel, The Association of Towns of the State of New York, Albany

Sarah Brancatella, Esq., Counsel and Legislative Director, The Association of Towns of the State of New York, Albany

Wade Beltramo, Esq., General Counsel, New York Conference of Mayors, Albany

Stephen J. Acquario, Esq., Executive Director, New York State Association of Counties, Albany

Attendees of Part One of the Spring Forum will receive a coupon code following the April 19 sessions to attend Part Two of the Spring Forum, May 20, gratis (not transferrable).

Thursday, May 20 | Spring Forum Part Two

2:00 – 2:50 p.m. 

Virtual Court Appearances: The Do’s and Don’ts (1.0 credit in Skills)

Courts have been conducting proceedings virtually during the COVID-19 Pandemic and it looks like this practice is here to stay. Learn the Do’s and Don’ts during this CLE to avoid appearing in front of a judge in the form of a cute and cuddly kitten. 

Speaker

Hon. Teneka E. Frost, City of Schenectady Court Judge, Schenectady

3:00 – 4:15 p.m. 

The Ethics of Leaving Public and Private Legal Employment  (1.5 credits in Ethics)

Discussion will include:

•  the perspective of local provisions regarding changing job/leaving municipal employment

•  public officers law provisions

•  ethical issues of lawyers changing law firms

Panelists

Steven G. Leventhal, Esq., Partner, Leventhal, Mullaney & Blinkoff, LLP, Roslyn

Samantha L. Segal, Esq., Executive Director, Suffolk County Board of Ethics, Hauppauge

Kevin M. Kearney, Esq., Partner, Hodgson Russ LLP, Buffalo