Category: Latest News

ICYMI: NYSBA Task Force on Advancing Diversity Press Conference

  The report of the association’s Task Force on Advancing Diversity recommends colleges and graduate schools that want to achieve diversity should eliminate the preferential treatment in admissions given to athletes, the children of alumni and the family of donors. The  report also recommends moving away from standardized tests and grade point averages and focusing … Continued

New York State Bar Association Criticizes Hong Kong Government’s Action Against Pro-Democracy Legislator

New York State Bar Association President Richard Lewis issued the following statement about Dennis W.H. Kwok: Recently, the Hong Kong government issued an arrest warrant and a bounty of HK$1,000,000 (about US$127,500) for Dennis W.H. Kwok, a Hong Kong barrister, accusing him of committing an offense under Hong Kong’s draconian National Security Law for “collusion … Continued

Lawyers Called to Action To Aid New Arrivals in New York State

In late September, after months of negotiation between state governors and President Joe Biden, the United States will grant temporary deportation relief and access to work permits to Venezuelan migrants already in the country. Nearly half a million migrants who arrived here before July 31 will be eligible for temporary protected status for 18 months. … Continued

Eliminating Standardized Test Requirements, Ending Legacy Admissions Key To Diversity In Wake of U.S. Supreme Court Ruling

Co-Chairs Brad Karp, Jeh Johnson and Loretta Lynch with President Richard Lewis and members of the Task Force on Advancing Diversity. Photo credit: David Handschuh/OCA In the aftermath of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action, colleges and graduate schools that want to achieve diversity should eliminate the preferential treatment in admissions given to … Continued

NYSBA President Joins Chief Judge in Hearing on Civil Legal Services

A dozen representatives of civil legal service organizations, family court, and advocacy groups testified before a panel at the Court of Appeals in Albany led by Chief Judge Rowan Wilson. Panelists included Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas, Presiding Justice Gerald Whalen (Fourth Department), Presiding Justice Hector LaSalle (Second Department), Presiding Justice Dianne Renwick (First Department) … Continued

Making Sure AI Complies With Anti-Discrimination Law

Employers are using artificial intelligence to make hiring decisions – but they must ensure that the AI does not enable discrimination. A recent Continuing Legal Education course – sponsored by the Labor & Employment Law Section and the Committee on Technology and the Legal Profession – covered new developments in employment law as it relates … Continued

Analysis of Admissions Policy Changes at Yale

On June 29, 2023, the U.S Supreme Court in Students for Fair Admissions (“SFFA”) v. President and Fellow of Harvard; SFFA v. University of North Carolina (“UNC”) effectively prohibited the consideration of an applicant’s racial status as a factor in admissions. Although the court made clear that direct consideration of an applicant’s race as an admission … Continued

Arbitration and Equal Justice Under the Law: A Double Victory

While Coinbase Inc. v. Bielski has been hailed as a victory for arbitration, it should also be celebrated as no less a victory for equal justice under the law. This article will examine both victories, as well as suggest a way to ensure a uniform rule of law in the future. The Arbitration Victory Under … Continued