Legal Experts To Gather in New York City To Examine Issues Impacting the Future of the Legal Profession
12.16.2025
Experts will tackle the biggest challenges facing the legal profession – including artificial intelligence, the state of the constitution, shifting government priorities, civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion – during the New York State Bar Association Annual Meeting from January 13 to 16 at the New York Hilton Midtown.
“This year the New York State Bar Association celebrates 150 years of service to the legal profession and looks forward to tackling the challenges that lie ahead,” said Kathleen Sweet, president of the association. “Attending our cutting-edge programs will empower attorneys and prepare them for what is to come in their areas of practice.”
The Presidential Summit, the marquee event of the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting, is on Wednesday, January 14, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. A panel of scholars will discuss “The Case for Constitutional Failure,” and whether the three branches of government have breached their Constitutional duties.
On Thursday, January 15, we will celebrate the Presidential Gala at The Plaza Hotel. Governor Kathy Hochul will receive the association’s highest honor, the Gold Medal and our Past Presidents will be recognized for their contributions to the association and the profession.
For legal professionals looking to stay at the top of their fields, the Annual Meeting includes programming addressing the future of DEI programs, the handling of complex corporate transactions, pregnancy-related rights, navigating the legal issues engendered by off-label vaccine use, counseling clients with trauma, managing conflict in the courtroom and within law firms, and ensuring data privacy and security with best practices.
Featured programs include:
Navigating a Ransomware Attack – Dark Web Surfing, Threat Actor Negotiation and Cyber Liability Coverage – Oh My! How can municipalities protect themselves from cyber extortion attacks? Learn how to respond and recover your client’s data. Presented by the Local and State Government Law Section. Thursday, January 15, from 10:55 a.m. to 12:10 p.m.
RFK, Jr. – Past, Present, Future. The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law Section will discuss U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s eventful first year. Tuesday, January 13, from 12 p.m. to 12:50 p.m.
Monopolizing the Conversation: Is Free Speech an Antitrust Issue? Can major corporations agree not to censor content as a condition for acquiring other companies? The Antitrust Law Section will explore whether current laws are up to the challenge of protecting free speech. Thursday, January 15, from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.
Representation of Adolescents in Raise the Age Youth Parts. The Criminal Justice Section will focus on the effect of Raise the Age legislation on removal and retention hearings for adolescents. Tuesday, January 13, from 9:15 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Pregnancy and the Law: Understanding Rights and Protections Across All Outcomes. The Women in Law Section will explore the full spectrum of pregnancy-related rights, including workplace accommodations, healthcare access, and abortion – as well as the legal landscape for reproductive care across state lines. Thursday, January 15, from 9:35 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
CLE at the Movies – Trial Skills Edition. Does Hollywood accurately depict the law, or is it just played for drama? The Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section will examine famous courtroom scenes from movies and TV for accuracy, and the surprising lessons for lawyers in the real world. Thursday, January 15, from 2:10 p.m. to 3:25 p.m.
Bridging the Generational Divide: ADR in a Multigenerational Workforce. With five generations now represented in today’s workplaces—from Traditionalists to Gen Z—conflict often emerges from differing values, communication styles, and expectations around work culture. The Dispute Resolution Section will explore how alternative dispute resolution can be used to address and transform generational conflicts in the workplace. Thursday, January 15, from 4:20 p.m. to 5:20 p.m.
Future of Vaccine Development – Will Restrictions Lead to Off-Label Use? As federal and state vaccine recommendations more often contradict each other these days, will there be an increase in off-label use of vaccines? The Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Law Section will look at the new landscape for how vaccines are administered. Tuesday, January 13, from 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
The Future of DEI in Law Firms: Risks, Retreats, and Resilience for LGBTQ+ Attorneys. When law firms scale back their commitment to DEI programs and initiatives, it has a direct effect on LGBTQ+ attorneys and their careers. The LGBTQ+ Law Section will examine the future of DEI, and how attorneys can navigate this changing environment. Tuesday, January 20, from 2:20 p.m. to 3:20 p.m.
Serving Your Clients Through Compassionate Communication. How should an attorney approach a client who has experienced trauma? This Elder Law and Special Needs Section program will teach attorneys how to read nonverbal cues, recognize potential triggers, and respond when clients struggle to express themselves. Thursday, January 15, from 3:55 p.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Review of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Legislation. A comprehensive review of the legal framework, ethical debates, and practical implications of New York’s Medical Aid in Dying Act. Presented by the General Practice Section, Committee on Professional Discipline and 50+ Section. Tuesday, January 13, from 12:05 p.m. to 12:55 p.m.
Roundtable on New York Ethics and Civility. The Commercial and Federal Litigation Section will cover recent developments in attorney ethics, as well as practical guidance on applying the rules of civility in courtrooms and law firms. Wednesday, January 14, from 10:55 a.m. to 11:55 a.m.
M&A Experiences: In-House and Outside Counsel Roundtable Chat. Participants will discuss a variety of topics in mergers and acquisitions, including early-stage deal alignment and role definition, contract and deal term negotiations, regulatory and compliance hurdles, information management, data and diligence protocols, and transitional arrangements and integration. Presented by the Business Law and Corporate Counsel Sections. Wednesday, January 14, from 9 a.m. to 9:50 a.m.
Workers Compensation Impacts: Staged Accidents in Construction. The Torts, Insurance and Compensation Law Section will tackle workers compensation fraud schemes, and the challenges they present for litigators, insurers, employers, and workers. Thursday, January 15, from 10:05 a.m. to 10:55 a.m.
Annual Meeting offers dozens of programs with influential speakers, including:
- Yoni Bokser, executive director/vice president, New York State Governor’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development – New Media.
- A’Lelia Bundles, journalist, author, and great-great-granddaughter of Madam C. J. Walker.
- Judge Michael Corriero, New York County Supreme Court and “Hot Bench” judge.
- Jackie Dischell, bureau chief, New York State Attorney General’s Office.
- Jay Himes, administrative law judge, Federal Trade Commission.
- Jason Laks, president, The Broadway League.
- Judge Amit Mehta, district judge, United States District Court for the District of Columbia.
- Sonia Mittal, former Assistant United States Attorney and January 6 prosecutor, Associate Research Scholar in Law and Co-Director of the Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic at Yale Law School.
- Lasherelle Morgan, senior vice president, Legal, AI Innovation & Acceleration at NBCUniversal.
- Erika Nijenhuis, senior counsel, Office of Tax Policy, U.S. Department of the Treasury. (invited)
- Lawrence O’Donnell, MSNOW television anchor, producer and commentator.
- Jack Rakove, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian, William Robertson Coe Professor of History and American Studies and professor of political science, emeritus, at Stanford University.
- Kevin Salinger, deputy assistant secretary for Tax Policy, U.S. Department of the Treasury.
- Barry Scheck, co-founder of the Innocence Project and professor emeritus at Cardozo School of law.
- Justice Jeffrey Sunshine, statewide coordinating judge for Matrimonial Matters.
- Carol Villegas, partner at Labaton Keller who secured historic jury verdict in a landmark data privacy case against Meta Platforms Inc.
On the lighter side, attendees will have the chance to pet and play with puppies to destress. Attendees will also be able to enroll in TSA PreCheck and have professional headshots taken.
Each year, more than 120 different panels and social events make up the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting and over 4,000 lawyers participate. For more information on NYSBA’s Annual Meeting, click here.
