Practice Area: Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights

NYSBA Announces Webinar on Human Rights Violations on the Six-Month Anniversary of Masha Jina Amini’s Death

On the six-month anniversary of the tragic death of Masha Jina Amini in the custody of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the New York State Bar Association is announcing that it will hold a two-part webinar exploring international laws that hold perpetrators accountable for human rights violations. Amini, 22, was visiting her family from a … Continued

New York State Bar Association Welcomes Revisions to The Bar Application, Urges Further Action To Encourage Diversity In The Legal Profession

Sherry Levin Wallach, president of the New York State Bar Association, issued the following statement today about the New York State courts’ decision to amend Question 26 of the Character and Fitness examination of the New York State bar application: “We appreciate New York State’s courts acknowledgement of the chilling effect the previous Question 26 … Continued

At urging of the NY State Bar Association, ABA Votes To Support LGBTQ Inclusive Language in Court Proceedings Nationwide

The American Bar Association adopted a new policy spearheaded by the New York State Bar Association on the use of gender inclusive language in all court matters across the country. The resolution passed by a wide margin at the ABA meeting today in New Orleans. The policy, called a bench card, provides information and guidance … Continued

New York State Bar Association Is Studying the Impact of Facial Recognition Software on Individual Freedom

The New York State Bar Association is examining the legal and ethical implications and the impact on personal freedom of corporations employing facial recognition software to ban their adversaries – and every lawyer who works for a firm that represents them — from entering sports and entertainment venues. The association’s Executive Committee on Wednesday launched … Continued

Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Honors Three Outstanding Attorneys During Annual Meeting

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion honored three outstanding attorneys during the association’s Annual Meeting  in New York City. Retired federal Judge Randolph Treece and Ross Moskowitz, a partner at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, received the John E. Higgins Diversity Trailblazer Award and Ronelle Porter was named the … Continued

In Accepting Gold Medal, Civil Rights Attorney Sherrilyn Ifill Implores New York State Bar Association Lawyers To Protect the ‘Boundaries of the Rule of Law’

Civil rights attorney Sherrilyn Ifill told 300 people gathered to see her receive the Gold Medal, the New York State Bar Association’s highest honor, that “it is our job to protect the boundaries of the rule of law in this country. And because you, we, are the New York State Bar, we have outsized influence … Continued

NYSBA Adopts Report Making Recommendations To Bring About Change to Long-Standing Racial Inequities

The New York State Bar Association is urging the state to establish a commission to study the harm done by slavery and consider possible remedies. The House of Delegates approved this recommendations and 12 others at the association’s Annual Meeting in New York City. The recommendations were contained in a 105-page report written by the association’s … Continued

Bill Provides $560 Million to the Legal Services Corporation

In its waning hours, the 117th Congress passed the 2023 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which included the association’s perennial federal legislative priority of increased funding for the Legal Services Corporation.  On Dec. 29, President Biden signed the measure, which provides $560 million through Sept. 30. The LSC is an independent non-profit corporation established by Congress in … Continued