Brian Lee

January 17, 2025 | New York Law Journal

About a third of the New York Legislature supports a reintroduced bill asking Gov. Kathy Hochul to beef up the state loan forgiveness program for public-interest attorneys, public defenders, and district attorneys by $4 million in fiscal 2026. The likelihood of rollbacks to federal student-loan forgiveness prompted a joint letter from the bipartisan lawmakers to Hochul.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

January 17, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Advocates say the constitutional cap—one Supreme Court seat for each 50,000 people—provides no flexibility to address emerging needs. While the bill is a top priority for the New York City Bar Association, the association representing Supreme Court justices has raised concerns over fairness and equity.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

January 15, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Timing and pushback led to the bill's demise in the 2024 legislative session. Now New York State Assemblymember Amy Paulin, D-Westchester, is urging her colleagues to take another look at the measure and is optimistic about her chances to succeed. Defense counsel are prepared to put up a fight.

By Brian Lee

6 minute read

January 14, 2025 | New York Law Journal

In her State of State address, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul says defense attorneys have been incentivized to delay raising challenges to a prosecutor's compliance, so that they can have cases thrown out. The state's defense bar rejects these claims and urges the Legislature to leave the reforms undisturbed.

By Brian Lee

7 minute read

January 13, 2025 | New York Law Journal

New York State Supreme Court Justice Thomas Marcelle ruled state cannabis regulators’ and the New York City Sheriff's Office’s warrantless raids on hemp license-holders is violative of the Fourth Amendment.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

January 13, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Albany County DA Lee Kindlon has hired Joseph Meany as chief assistant district attorney, and Jennifer Aguila as chief of staff.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

January 13, 2025 | New York Law Journal

A key lawmaker said the New York Senate majority is not likely to trim discovery reform measures. The changes enacted in 2020 were aimed to ensure access to defendants of the evidence against them.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read

January 10, 2025 | New York Law Journal

A part-time New York jurist and retired staffer for the steelworkers’ union agreed to be admonished for making more than $6,000 in prohibited political contributions, the New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct said.

By Brian Lee

2 minute read

January 09, 2025 | New York Law Journal

Former state Supreme Court Justice Erin T. Gall—who the state's judicial conduct watchdog concluded that she had threatened violence against Black teens at a party—is not eligible to ever serve in a judicial office again.

By Brian Lee

3 minute read

January 09, 2025 | New York Law Journal

The New York Court of Appeals is mulling a Child Victims Act claim that tasks it with determining whether county social service departments owe a special duty to children whom they place in foster care.

By Brian Lee

5 minute read