NYSBA Annual Meeting

 View this Special Report as a PDF.

Bench and Bar Face Shared Challenges and Opportunities in 2021

Janet DiFiore, Chief Judge of the State of New York, writes that over the coming year, we will have many opportunities to strengthen our justice system and our profession—from safely re-starting in-person court proceedings to preparing for an expected surge of pandemic-related litigation to ensuring access to justice for struggling New Yorkers to following through on our shared commitment to ending racism and fostering equal justice under law.

The Urgent Need for Adequate Court System Funding

Lawrence K. Marks, Chief Administrative Judge of the New York State Unified Court System, writes: The organized bar must make its voice heard by emphasizing that further cuts in court system resources will devastate the delivery of justice in this state, particularly for economically disadvantaged people who turn to the courts to preserve essential rights and legal protections.

Crisis as Opportunity: Responding to the Pandemic, Systemic Racism and Threats to Our Democracy

Rolando T. Acosta, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, First Department, writes that we must be committed to seeing the opportunity that lies within every crisis and making the changes that are sorely needed.

Efforts of Court Employees Provide Light and Hope

Gerald J. Whalen, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Fourth Department, writes that the challenges posed by the pandemic have been substantial, but court staff have stepped up to provide light and hope to those experiencing hopelessness and despair.

At the Threshold

Elizabeth A. Garry, Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, writes: Confronting racism and inequality in our society, our workplaces and in our courts is a substantial and multi-faceted undertaking. But there is no doubt that we must tackle these difficult issues, and there is likewise no doubt that we are capable of doing what we must to bring about a more just court system and society.

NYSBA Provides Leadership During These Historic Times

Scott M. Karson, President of the New York State Bar Association, describes the association’s work on critically important issues and how it was at the forefront of the national discussion.

Lawyers Play a Role in Combating Racial Injustice

T. Andrew Brown, President-elect of the New York State Bar Association, writes that the association, through a special task force, has been at the forefront of addressing some of the inequities revealed by COVID-19 and illustrated during the aftermath of the George Floyd killing.

NYSBA Annual Meeting: Authors Reflect on the Fight for Change

The judges and New York State Bar Association leaders who contributed to our annual special report overwhelmingly cited the death of George Floyd as a pivotal moment in 2020 that prompted calls for change from the bench and bar. Take a look back at some of the images from protests calling for criminal justice reform.

Criminal Justice Within the Shadow of a Global Pandemic

Robert J. Masters, Chair of the Criminal Justice Section, calls for a shared resolve for all practitioners—whether private or public defenders, state or local prosecutors, judges, court staff, as well as all of law enforcement—to make the commitments and sacrifices—as yet unidentified—necessary for us to provide justice for all.

Addressing COVID-19 and Diversity Challenges in the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Industries

Barry Werbin, Chair of the Entertainment, Arts and Sports Law Section, describes the section’s efforts to address critical issues that affected the industries.

Lawyers Who Save Lives

Karen Gallinari, chair of the Health Law Section, describes how section members seized the opportunity to address the legal and ethical public health issues that COVID-19 brought front and center, by bringing attention to state action that would ease the challenges of public health emergencies.

Virtual Program Includes CLEs, Awards and a Talent Show

Jay L. Himes, Chair of the International Section, describes some of the events planned for the section’s virtual program, including a CLE on cross-border litigation and one on diversity; awards and recognitions; and a virtual talent show.

Striving for Justice During Difficult Times

Barbara R. Kapnick, Presiding Member of the Judicial Section, describes how judges have adapted during the pandemic to promote justice, and calls to our attention some key events taking place during the section’s virtual program.

NYSBA Annual Meeting: Changing Demographics of the State and the Court

Many of the authors who contributed to our NYSBA Annual Meeting special report identify Jeh Johnson’s Equal Justice review of court practices and policies as a meaningful step toward diversity and inclusion. Take a look at some of his findings here.

Real Property Law Continues To Be Impacted by the Pandemic

Ira S. Goldenberg, chair of the Real Property Law Section, describes some of the CLE programs the section will present. They will focus on the effects of the pandemic as well as other topics of interest to real estate attorneys.

Light on the Horizon: The Year of Women Leaders

Terri Mazur, Chair of the Women in Law Section, describes how the pandemic has disproportionately affected women, but that 2021 brings hope as more women than ever will be leaders in our government. She writes that we need to seize upon this momentum to achieve gender equity in the legal profession, to ensure that women lawyers have more leadership roles and opportunities.

NYSBA Annual Meeting: Authors Describe Adapting to Remote Life

The members of the bench and bar who contributed to our NYSBA Annual Meeting special report reflect on the various ways they utilized technology to keep the wheels of justice turning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Examples included here range from a video arraignment to a virtual swearing-in ceremony.