New York's largest bar group said it applauds retired Court of Appeals Judge Carmen Beauchamp Ciparick's role as the state court system's independent monitor to combat racial bias.

In making the statement Thursday, the New York State Bar Association is coming to the defense of Ciparick, given prior pushback from the New York City Bar Association, which recently issued a report stating that the appointment of the former Court of Appeals judge as the outside monitor on reforms gives "the appearance of a lack of independence."