Local and State Government Law Section Spring Forum 2025
Join the Local and State Government Law Section and the Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion on May 2 for our annual Spring Forum. This year’s forum examines key legal issues shaping equity, governance, and technology. Topics include:
- Government-Sponsored Segregation in Housing & Finance – The legal history and ongoing impact of discriminatory policies.
- Tribal Sovereignty & Cultural Restitution – Legal frameworks supporting Indigenous rights and repatriation.
- Government Ethics & Morality – Navigating ethical dilemmas in public service.
- AI & Legal Practice – Addressing bias and ensuring fairness in legal tech.
Gain insights from experts on past injustices and emerging legal challenges to promote a more just future.
This program offers valuable insights for legal professionals seeking to understand the historical and ethical foundations of current legal challenges while exploring innovative approaches for a more just future.
*There are two in-person satellite viewing options available:
NYC: https://nysba.org/events/local-and-state-government-law-section-spring-forum-2025-nyc/
BUFF: https://nysba.org/events/local-and-state-government-law-section-spring-forum-2025-buff/
Hotel and Parking Information:
Hotel Accommodations
The following hotels are within walking distance of the Bar Center. If you require overnight accommodations, please contact these
suggested hotels for rates and availability.
Renaissance Albany Hotel | 144 State Street, Albany, NY | (518) 992-2500
Hampton Inn & Suites Albany-Downtown | 25 Chapel Street, Albany, NY | (518) 432-7000
Hilton Albany | 40 Lodge Street, Albany, NY | (518) 462-6611
Directions to the State Bar Center:
FROM THE SOUTH:
NYS Thruway to Exit 23,
I-787 North.
Exit at Route 20 West.
Take a: Right on Broadway.
Left on State St.
Right on Eagle St.
Left on Elk St.
FROM THE NORTH:
Adirondack Northway (I-87
South) to Exit 1.
Take I-90 East to I-787 South.
Exit Clinton Ave. (Route 9).
Take a: Left on So. Pearl St.
Right on State St.
Right on Eagle St.
Left on Elk St.
FROM THE EAST:
I-90 West to I-787 South.
Exit Clinton Avenue (Route 9)
Take a: Left on So. Pearl St.
Right on State St.
Right on Eagle St.
Left on Elk St.
FROM THE WEST:
NYS Thruway to Exit 24.
I-90 East to I-787 South.
Exit Clinton Avenue (Route 9).
Take a: Left on So. Pearl St.
Right on State St.
Right on Eagle St.
Left on Elk St.
PARKING
There is metered parking in front of the Bar Center for $0.25 per 12 minutes. Credit cards are accepted. If you are going to be at the Bar
Center for an extended period, you may also wish to park at the Hilton Albany, located on Lodge Street off of State Street. Parking at the
Hilton is $20.00 per day. If you park at the Hilton, walk up Pine Street, take a right on Eagle Street, and continue until you reach Elk Street.
Cross the street and you will see the State Bar Center in front of you.
For more information, call NYSBA (518) 463-3200.
- May 2, 2025
- 12:30 PM
- 5:00 PM
- 1.0
- 2.5
- 1.0
- 4.5
- Albany
- New York State Bar Association
1 Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
Agenda
Friday, May 2, 2025
(4.5 MCLE Credits)
11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Executive Committee Meeting
12:00 p.m. Registration
12:20 p.m. – 12:30 p.m. Welcome & Introduction
Speaker:
Steven G. Leventhal, Esq.
Partner
Leventhal, Mullaney & Blinkoff, LLP
Roslyn, NY
12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. Under Color of Law: Government Sponsored Segregation in Housing and Finance
Speaker:
Oscar Michelen, Esq.
Partner
Cuomo LLC
Mineola, NY
1.0 MCLE Credit in Areas of Professional Practice
1:20 p.m. – 1:25 p.m. Break
1:25 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. From Past to Present: Legal Frameworks for Tribal Sovereignty and Cultural Restitution
Moderator:
Hon. Lizbeth González
Associate Justice
Appellate Division, First Department
New York, NY
Speakers:
P.J. Herne, Esq.
Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY)
Former Chief Judge, St. Regis Mohawk Tribal Court
Canton, NY
Ja:no’s Bowen
Seneca Language Director, Allegany Territory
Seneca Nation
Salamanca, NY
Tela L. Troge, Esq.
Attorney and Counselor at Law
Law Offices of Tela L. Troge, PLLC
Southhampton, NY
1.5 MCLE Credits in Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias
2:45 p.m. – 2:55 p.m. Break
2:55 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. You Kant Take That Gift: The Intersection of Government Ethics and Morality
Speakers:
Mark L. Davies, Esq.
Retired Executive Director
New York City Conflicts of Interest Board
New York, NY
Steven G. Leventhal, Esq.
Partner
Leventhal, Mullaney & Blinkoff, LLP
Roslyn, NY
1.0 MCLE Credit in Ethics and Professionalism
3:45 p.m. – 3:55 p.m. Break
3:55 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. From Biased to Balanced: Ensuring Equitable AI in Legal Practice
Moderator:
Nic Rangel, Esq., M.P.A.
Executive Director
The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York
Albany, NY
Speakers:
Hon. Ronald J. Hedges
Former, United States Magistrate Judge
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Principal, Ronald J. Hedges LLC
Hackensack, NJ
Robert B. Hawkins, Esq.
Head of Transactional Group
The Law Office of Alexander Paykin, P.C.
Floral Park, NY
Ivie A. Serioux, Esq.
Shareholder
Littler Mendelson P.C.
New York, NY
1.0 MCLE Credit in Diversity, Inclusion, and Elimination of Bias
4:40 p.m. – 4:55 p.m. Presentation of the Citation for Special Achievement in Public Services (CAPS)
4:55 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. Closing Remarks & Adjournment
Program Co-Chairs:
Steven G. Leventhal, Esq. | Leventhal, Mullaney & Blinkoff, LLP | Roslyn, NY
Nic Rangel, Esq., M.P.A. | The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York | Albany, NY
- Steven G. Leventhal, Esq., Leventhal, Mullaney & Blinkoff, Llp
- Oscar Michelen, Esq., Michelen Law, P.C.
- Hon. Lizbeth González, Nys Supreme Court Appellate Division, 1st Department
- P.J. Herne, Esq., Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY, Inc. (Canton)
- Ja:no’s Bowen, Seneca Nation
- Tela L. Troge, Esq., LAW OFFICES OF TELA L TROGE
- Mark L. Davies, Esq., RETIRED
- Nic Rangel, Esq., M.P.A., Legal Aid Society of Northeastern NY, Inc.
- Hon. Ronald J. Hedges, Ronald J. Hedges, LLC
- Robert B. Hawkins, Esq., The Law Office of Alexander Paykin, P.C.
- Ivie A. Serioux, Esq., Speaker, Littler Mendelson P.C.
- Hybrid
- LSGLSP25
- Local and State Government Law Section
- Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
- Committee on Continuing Legal Education
