The NYSBA Annual Meeting will be held at the New York Hilton Midtown. (Photo: Rick Kopstein/NYLJ.)

View this Special Report as a PDF.

The Perennial Challenge of Delivering Affordable and Accessible Justice

Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the State of New York, addresses one of the most serious challenges facing the Bar and Bench today: How can we make sure that every person gets their day in court? She writes: All of us, working together, have it in our power to keep our courthouse doors open and accessible for every person seeking his or her day in court.

Implementing 'Raise the Age' Legislation

Lawrence K. Marks, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, discusses the implementation of the Raise the Age legislation, writing: Given the effective collaborative efforts of all relevant government agencies, and within the court system itself, raising the age of criminal responsibility has been highly successful with few hurdles in its path.

Iron Sharpens Iron: The Value of Dissent, and Collegiality, in Appellate Courts

Rolando T. Acosta, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, writes: Consensus and dissent may ebb and flow, but collegiality—cooperation and civility among colleagues—must lie at the heart of each.

A View From the Bench: Why Involvement in the Organized Bar Is More Important Now Than Ever

Alan Scheinkman, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, encourages any lawyer who is not already an active member of the organized Bar to get involved. A fully engaged and participatory Bar is essential to the continued vitality and integrity of our profession.

Too Few Lawyers? Access to Justice in Rural Communities

Elizabeth A. Garry, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, writes: With growing populations downstate, declining populations upstate and aging populations statewide, our communities—whether rural, metropolitan or suburban—are facing evolving obstacles to ensuring access to justice for all New Yorkers. The geographical and demographic circumstances in rural settings pose unique challenges, and these are issues that our court system, legal service providers, and other stakeholders are actively working to address.

Judiciary's Duty to Maintain Public Faith and Trust

Gerald J. Whalen, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, writes: Public faith and judicial independence demands that we work against such perceptions in order to ensure that our own legacy is one of leaving the courthouse stronger than we found it.

What We Do: Service to the Public and the Profession

Michael Miller, President of the New York State Bar Association, calls upon members to celebrate the NYSBA's mission: Service to the public and the profession.

Let the 'Voice of Lawyers' Be Heard

Henry M. Greenberg, President-elect of the New York State Bar Association, writes: Now more than ever, the voice of lawyers must be heard. Our clients and communities need our wisdom. They need our gift of seeing both sides of an issue. They need us to explain why the rule of law has kept us free for over two centuries.

Business Lawyers and the Business Law Section

Peter W. LaVigne, Chair of the NYSBA Business Law Section, describes what the Section offers business lawyers and the business community.

Mediation Preparation Tips for In-House Counsel to Enhance Success

Elizabeth J. Shampnoi, Chair of the NYSBA Corporate Counsel Section, writes: The traditional benefits of mediation such as time and cost savings are widely known. Often more important to companies, however, is the ability to customize a process that best meets their needs and avoid the uncertainties of litigation.

Working Toward Reform to Improve Justice for All

Tucker C. Stanclift, Chair of the NYSBA Criminal Justice Section writes: The Section works to reform certain areas of the criminal law that needs some fine tuning, or at most redressing serious wrongs without altering the fundamentals of our system. It is with this tempered approach that our section seeks to improve justice for all citizens of this state.

The ADR Challenge: Its Growth in New York State

Deborah Masucci, Chair of the NYSBA Dispute Resolution Section, writes about the many ways the Section supports the members of the Bar in their efforts to be skilled ADR practitioners.

Striving to Meet Increased Challenges

Judith D. Grimaldi, Chair of the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section, writes: Elder and special needs law has become more challenging as the basic societal supports on which our aged and disabled clients thrive can no longer be taken as a given. The rules are changing in the middle of the game and our clients are caught in the mix. ELSN Section members strive to meet these challenges with wisdom and energy.

Greetings From Lawyersville

Barry Skidelsky, Chair of the NYSBA Entertainment, Arts & Sports Law Section, writes: If you cannot attend our Section's program and/or joint networking reception with the Intellectual Property Section, here is a brief introduction to what copyright law calls “derivative works” (plus mention of a related lawsuit doubling as a warning for podcasters and others).

Overview of Tax Act's Impact on Matrimonial Law

Eric A. Tepper, Chair of the NYSBA Family Law Section, describes how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have its major impact on the matrimonial field effective Jan. 1, 2019, and provides an update of Section activities.

The Time Has Come to End Mass Incarceration

Paul T. Shoemaker, Chair of the NYSBA General Practice Section, writes: Mass incarceration takes too large a toll on the individual, community and national levels. It is time to roll back mass incarceration and to bring America closer to fulfilling Dr. King's dream.

Honoring Our History, Mission, and Values

Cheryl E. Chambers, Presiding Member of the NYSBA Judicial Section, reflects on the history of the Judicial Section and how the fundamental principles underpinning its formation are still relevant today.

Resolve to Make the Office Fun Again, Even in a # Era

Richard K. Zuckerman, Chair, and Sharon N. Berlin, First Vice-Chair, of the NYSBA Local and State Government Law Section, write: The holiday season may be over but, as you get back to your regular work schedule, we encourage you to add one more goal to your New Year's Resolution list: to make your office fun again!

Gathering Together to Discuss Lawyers in Transition

C. Bruce Lawrence, Chair of the NYSBA Senior Lawyers Section, discusses how the Section provides a forum for lawyers to talk with contemporaries about transitioning, how they might go about selling their practice, and what life might be like if they weren't practicing any more.

Leadership in the Face of an Estate Tax Mismatch

Katie Lynagh, Member of the NYSBA Trusts & Estates Law Section, writes: Looking forward to 2019, the Section remains dedicated to responding to changes in the law, advancing legislation in our practice area, collaborating with other Sections on shared priorities, and strengthening our members' practices through knowledge sharing.

10 Actions You Can Take Now to Advance and Champion Women in Law

Susan L. Harper, the founding Chair of the NYSBA Women in Law Section, lists 10 actions you can take today to advance women in the New Year.