Yonit Calmanovich To Start Tenure As Israel Chapter Co-Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s International Section
6.5.2024
The New York State Bar Association is building its standing in the international legal community with a surge of new members in its Israel chapter. Yonit Calmanovich, an attorney based in Tel Aviv and the head of the Israel Bar Association’s international department, will serve as the chapter’s new co-chair. She was also recently chosen to serve on Israel’s Judicial Election Committee.
Currently, the New York State Bar Association has 70 chapters around the world with more than 1,700 international members.
“I’m proud and grateful to be nominated as co-chair of the Israel chapter,” said Calmanovich. “This nomination is a show of support and solidarity on behalf of the New York State Bar Association. It sends a clear statement of the mutual commitment of the Israel Bar Association and NYSBA toward each other, as two state organizations viewing the rule of law as the most fundamental cornerstone of evolved democracies. I’m humbly taking this role with a clear sense of mission to promote the international legal connection between Israel, the U.S. and all other countries that wish to promote values of truth, democracy and independent rule of law.”
Calmanovich will be joining current Israel chapter co-chair Ronald Lehmann, who is a partner in FBC’s corporate department.
“Yonit is bringing new energy to the Israel Chapter, and I’m glad to share this leadership role with her,” said Lehmann. “Together, we’re going to work with the New York State Bar Association on areas of mutual interest, like judicial independence. At this difficult time in Israel’s history, we appreciate that our fellow legal professionals from around the world are coming together with us.”
The New York State Bar Association hosted a meeting to show new members the many benefits of New York State Bar Association membership. Brian Cohen, one of the co-chairs of the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate, presented the task force’s report at the meeting as well. Vincent Chang, the task force’s other co-chair, was on hand to answer questions.
“Antisemitism was already on the rise when this task force first met a year ago,” said Cohen. “Since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents and hate crimes have increased exponentially, especially in our schools and college campuses. We are pleased that the New York legislature is taking action and appreciate this opportunity to share the latest update to our state’s hate crime laws.”
New York State Bar Association President Domenick Napoletano, Immediate Past President Richard Lewis, Treasurer Susan Harper, Membership Chair Helen Naves and Israel Bar Association President Amit Becher also spoke during the meeting. The Israel Bar Association and the New York State Bar Association entered into a Memorandum of Understanding earlier this year.
