Gina Mitchell, a member of the City Bar’s Criminal Advocacy Committee, interviews Professor Steve Zeidman, a criminal defense attorney and the Director of the Criminal Defense Clinic at CUNY School of Law; Attorney Michelle Lewin, the Executive Director of the Parole Preparation Project in New York; and Jose Saldana, director of the Release Aging People in Prison Campaign, about parole law and reform in New York State.
  

Parole Law and Reform - 44th Street Podcast

The panel covered key regulatory and legislative changes to the Endangered Species Act (ESA) under the Trump administration including: new standards and rules, removal of species from protection, reduction of funding for certain initiatives, trophy hunting and import, and ivory trade and import of ivory and rhino horn. They also discussed recent key federal litigation interpreting Endangered Species Act, and touched upon currently proposed legislative, regulatory and statutory changes to the ESA. Speakers: Dr. Susan Lieberman, Vice-President, International Policy, Wildlife Conservation Society  Joseph Nelson, Partner, Van Ness Feldman Asher Smith, Litigation Counsel, PETA Foundation Danny Waltz, Staff Attorney, Animal Legal Defense Fund Moderators:  Professor Randall Abate, Rechnitz Family Endowed Chair in Marine and Environmental Law and Policy, Monmouth University and Mikki Golar Sponsoring Committee: Animal Law Committee, Christopher Wlach, Chair       
 Cosponsoring Committee:
 Environmental Law Committee, Kevin Healy and Amy Turner, Co-Chairs

Endangered Species Act Under the Trump Administration

New York City Bar President Roger Juan Maldonado and New York State Bar President Michael Miller speak with James Ostaszewski, who drafted the City Bar’s report in support of exempting Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, a law that restricts shipping and that independent studies say costs the recovering island hundreds of millions of dollars per year.

Puerto Rico and the Jones Act

Description: On February 28, 2019, a panel discussed issues around companion animals and transportation, including the use of service animals on public transportation, pets in ridesharing, and recent incidents in which pets have died during air travel. Moderators: Marissa Hight, Akerman LLP Bari Wolf, Vernon & Ginsburg LLP Speakers: Erin Abrams, General Counsel, Via Kleo King, Deputy Commissioner and General Counsel, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities Joel Lopez, Vice President, ASPCA Adoption Center  Evan Oshan, Oshan & Associates, P.C.  Sponsoring Committee: Animal Law Committee, Christopher Wlach, Chair   Co-Sponsoring Committee Transportation Committee, Sanford Balick, Chair Disability Law Committee, John W. Egan, Chair Related Resource: If you're interested in this program, you may be interested in this City Bar resource: A Guide to the Use of Service Animals in New York State

Animals In Transit

People live longer today than ever before; in fact, Americans over the age of 85 represent one of the fasting growing age groups in the country. This program features three researchers whose findings challenge the accepted views on growing older. On February 19, 2019 John Leland, Amy Nathan and Paula Span shared their findings and provided information on a topic that faces all of us.
 Speakers:
 John Leland, Author, “Happiness Is a Choice You Make: Lessons from a Year Among the Oldest Old”
 Amy Nathan, Author, "Making Time for Making Music"
 Paula Span, Columnist, The New York Times, “The New Old Age" and “Generation Grandparent”
  
 Sponsoring Association Committee: Senior Lawyers Committee, Barry M. Bloom, Chair
 Cosponsoring Committee: Legal Problems of the Aging Committee, Britt Burner, Chair

Aging in America: Happiness in the New Old Age

Juan Williams

On December 6, 2018, Juan Williams, the political analyst for Fox News, bestselling author, and civil rights expert addressed the Trump administration’s sweeping rollback of the civil rights movement at the City Bar's Public Affairs Luncheon. Donald Trump’s campaign pitch to African Americans was: “What the hell do you have to lose?” According to Juan, the answer is: Quite a lot, as it turns out. He believes that the Trump administration’s policies and intentions pose a threat to civil rights without precedent in modern America. Based on his observations of the current state of politics and race relations with insights from the long, and sometimes forgotten, history of the civil rights movement, as Juan asserts in his new book, knowing our past is essential if we are to understand our present, and shape our future.

Public Affairs Luncheon with Juan Williams

On October 22, 2018, the City Bar’s Labor & Employment Law Committee held a program on how the evolving treatment of marijuana under the law affects the workplace. Learn how legalization of medical and recreational marijuana affect rights and obligations under the ADA, FLMA, and more.
  
 Speakers: George Schwab, Kraus & Zuchlewski LLPAnne Dana, Seyfarth Shaw  LLPJay Jaffe, 1199 SEIU
 Moderator:Hanan Kolko, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein P.C.
 Sponsoring Committee: Labor & Employment Committee, Katherine Greenberg, Chair

Changing Marijuana Laws' Effect on the Workplace 10-23-2018

In New York City, there are hundreds of men and women on the sex offender registry who are subject to the Sexual Assault Reform Act (SARA) residency restriction, which prevents them from living within 1,000 feet of a school. This little-known restriction has created enormous constitutional problems. Because our densely-populated city contains virtually no residences that comply with this restriction, prisons are holding these people past the length of their prison sentences if there is no SARA-compliant housing available – a time period that usually extends longer than a year. This event will address the history and policy behind the residency restriction, the impact of SARA on people who have committed sex offenses, and the legal challenges being made on behalf of people affected by SARA.
 Panelists:Michael Burke, Hodges Walsh Messemer & Burke, LLPBill Dobbs, Publisher, Dobbs Wire, newsletter about sex offense law and policy; Advisor, Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center at Mitchell Hamline Law SchoolEmily Horowitz, Professor and Chairperson, St. Francis College, Sociology and Criminal Justice DepartmentSusannah Karlin, Licensed Social Worker, Center for Appellate LitigationRobert Newman, Legal Aid Society, Criminal Defense Practice, Special Litigation UnitGreg Williams, The Fortune SocietyModerator:Camilla Hsu, Appellate Counsel, Center for Appellate Litigation
 Sponsoring Association Committee:Criminal Justice Operations Committee, Sarah J. Berger, Chair
 Co-Sponsoring Organization:New York Sex Offense Working Group
 Related Resources:If you're interested in this program, you may be interested in these City Bar resources:
 Opposition to Further Residency Restrictions for Sex Offenders – 2019 NYS Executive Budget
 The Impact and Legality of Sex Offender Residency Restrictions Created By New York's Sexual Assault Reform Act
 Letter opposing legislation to extend the duration of sex offender registration for most Level One registrants from 20 years to 30 years or life
 Report on A.2190/S.3097 which would require the Board of Examiners of Sex Offenders to consult a "validated risk instrument" when making its recommendation to courts regarding the appropriate risk level of a sex offender

Banished from New York City- The Legality, Policy Considerations, and Practical Implications of the Housing Restrictions Faced by People on the Sex Offender Registry 9-11-2018

Speakers: Danielle Alvarado, Daniela Contreras, Rebecca Nathanson, Hon. Laura Safer Espinoza, Marrisa Senteno, Cristina Velez
  Sexual harassment in agricultural work and how to prevent What does sexual harassment look like in domestic workplaces and what rights do domestic workers have that differ from workers in other settings? What is a U visa and how may someone who has been a victim of workplace sexual harassment be eligible? Explanation of anti-retaliation provisions under New York State wage and hour law, and NYDOL’s U visa certification policy.

Challenges and Strategies for Low-Wage and Immigrant Workers in Reporting Harassment - Sexual Harassment & the Law

Chirlane McCray

Hear the First Lady of New York City discuss ThriveNYC, a program intended to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues and provide New Yorkers with the tools to respond to these challenges. 
 Speaker:Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York City
 Sponsoring Association Committee: New York City Affairs Committee, Jerry Goldfeder, Chair
 Co-Sponsoring Association Committees:Bioethical Issues Committee, Mary Beth Morrissey, ChairDisability Law Committee, John Egan, ChairHealth Law Committee, Kathleen Burke, ChairLawyer Assistance Program Committee, Hon. Linda Poust Lopez, ChairMental Health Law Committee, Naomi Weinstein, ChairMindfulness & Well-Being in Law Committee, Cecilia Loving, Robert Chender and Bjorn Sorenson, Co-Chairs

Breaking the Silence - a New Way Forward on Mental Health:  An Address by Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York City

Podcasts and event recordings from the New York City Bar Association

After 9/11, Congress passed the 2001 Authorization for the Use of Military Force (“AUMF”), which gave the President the authority “to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons. . . .”  In 2002, a separate AUMF was passed authorizing the Iraq War. Since then, no additional AUMFs have been authorized, but the Global War on Terrorism has been waged in nations, and against groups, that appear to be outside the scope of either AUMF. Multiple members of Congress have called for new legislation that will more accurately define the proper scope and authority of the President to wage war against international terrorist organizations. This event discusses the legal scope of existing AUMFs, and explore the policy decisions underlying whether (and how) to augment or replace the existing AUMFs.
 Speakers:William S. Castle, Acting General Counsel, Department of Defense (appointed August 2017)Bruce Ackerman, Counsel in Smith v Trump (suit by military officer challenging the Commander-in-Chief's power to fight ISIS using the current AUMFs; recently argued before the D.C. Circuit)John B. Bellinger III, Former Senior Counsel to President George W. Bush and Legal Advisor to the National Security Council during 9/11
 Moderator:Karen Greenberg, Director, Center on National Security, Fordham University School of Law
  
 Sponsoring Association Committee:Military Affairs & Justice Committee, Erik L. Wilson, Chair
 Co-Sponsoring Association Committees:Council on International Affairs, Martin S. Flaherty, ChairTask Force on National Security & the Rule of Law, Mark R. Shulman, Chair
 Related ResourcesIf you are interested in this program, you may also be interested in these City Bar resources:
 Letter to President Trump regarding Presidential Authority to Initiate War Against North Korea
 Recommendations to the Trump Administration Regarding National Security Policies
 Letter Regarding Lack of Clarity in U.S. Policies on Critical Counter-Terrorism and Use of Force Issues
 President Trump's Guantanamo: Views from the Legal Front (podcast)

The Global War on Terrorism: Do We Need a New AUMF?

Have you ever encountered difficulty managing your mortgage payments, and wondered how you can alleviate some of that financial burden? In this podcast, Scott Kohanowski, Director of the Foreclosure Prevention Project at the City Bar Justice Center, will guide you through filling out a budget form that can help you identify ways to cut back on housing and other expenses, making your monthly payments less burdensome. Whether it helps you realize that you are eligible for a property tax credit, identify an unnecessary monthly expense such as a car or cable, or find out that you are overpaying for homeowner’s insurance, this budget form and accompanying audio guide is a great resource for all NYC homeowners.
 Disclaimer: Please note, the information provided in this podcast is for general informational purposes only. It should not be considered legal, accounting, financial, or investment advice. You should consult with an appropriate professional to determine what may be best for your individual needs.
 Music Credits: Soixante by Obsibilo Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License Source: http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Obsibilo/Movie_On_The_Moon/subnet014_Obsibilo-03-Soixante-8

Budgeting for NYC Homeowners

Description:Experts discuss legal issues relating to the First Amendment and hate speech. Topics include the scope and limits of First Amendment protection for, and legal capacity to regulate or restrict, certain types of speech or assembly; the carrying of firearms or other acts of intimidation in public assemblies; and expressions of hate speech via the internet. The program covers the current state of the law and how recent developments may lead some to call for change. With an eye toward contributing to the public understanding of this complex area of law, it focuses on the legal issues and on identifying and addressing the areas where legal line-drawing either is fairly easy or remains difficult and uncertain.
 Panel:Alex Abdo, Senior Staff Attorney, Knight First Amendment InstituteFloyd Abrams, Senior Counsel, Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLPDaniel J. Kornstein, Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady LLPCarmelyn P. Malalis, Chair & Commissioner, NYC Commission on Human RightsNadine Strossen, John Marshall Harlan II Professor of Law, New York Law School
 Moderator:Jamal Greene, Dwight Professor of Law, Columbia Law School
 Opening Remarks:John S. Kiernan, President, New York City Bar Association
 Sponsors:New York City Bar AssociationCity Bar Justice CenterCity Bar Office for Diversity & Inclusion
 Co-Sponsors:Civil Rights Committee, Philip Desgranges, ChairCommunications & Media Law Committee, Katherine M. Bolger, ChairFederal Courts Committee, Laura Grossfield Birger, Chair

The First Amendment: From Skokie to Charlottesville & Beyond

Financial Empowerment Workshop

A discussion of the legal and policy issues of the past, present and future of these unique blocks which have historically supported designers, manufacturers, retailers and many others who contribute to the $98 billion fashion industry in NYC.
 Panelists: Yeohlee Teng, Designer/Advocate; Nanette Lepore, Designer/Advocate; Gary Wassner, CEO, Hilldun/CFDA Mentor; James Caras, Gen. Counsel & Land Use Director, Manhattan Borough President's Office; Samantha Corres, Executive Dir, Save the Garment Cetner; Charles Beckwith, Comms Dir, Save the Garment Cetner
  
 Moderator: Hilary F. Jochmans, Jochmans Consulting LLC

The New York City Garment Center:  Pattern for Success

On June 26, New York City Police Commissioner James P. O'Neill spoke at the New York City Bar Association on a variety of topics and engaged in dialogue with audience members. The program was sponsored by the City Bar’s New York City Affairs Committee, Jerry H. Goldfeder, Chair, and co-sponsored by its Criminal Courts Committee, Kerry Ward, Chair.

A Conversation with New York City Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill

The City Bar marked the 25th annual presentation of its awards to four outstanding assistant U.S. attorneys from the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. Presented annually to outstanding Assistant U.S. Attorneys in the Southern District and in the Eastern District of New York, the medal is awarded in honor of Henry L. Stimson, who served as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District from 1906-1909 and as President of the Association from 1937 to 1939. The awards are made possible by the generosity of the firm of Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, Henry Stimson's legacy firm. Moderator: Mark R. Hellerer Chair, Stimson Medal Committee Speaker: Mary Jo White Former Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Former U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York and Former Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Medal Presentation: John S. Kiernan President, New York City Bar Association Winners: EDNY Civil Division: Edward Newman EDNY Criminal Division: Nicole M. Argentieri SDNY Civil Division: Robert William Yalen SDNY Criminal Division: Andrew D. Goldstein

25th Annual Henry L. Stimson Medal Presentation June 6, 2017

Front

Guantanamo is not just a place; it is a concept. Continuing beyond the first 100 days of the new Trump Administration, the chief defense counsel for the military commissions, the director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, and a Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist will assess President Obama’s legacy and predict where the Trump Administration is headed. Panelists: Brigadier General John Baker, Chief Defense Counsel, Military Commission Defense Organization Hina Shamsi, Director, ACLU’s National Security Project Adam Goldman, National Security Reporter, The New York Times Moderator: Jason D. Wright, The Law Offices of Andrew J. Frisch, PLLC Sponsoring Association Committee: Military Affairs & Justice Committee, Michael P. Richter, Chair

President Trump's Guantanamo Views From the Legal Front 2017-06-01

We discuss what the immigration community should know about the Executive Orders the Trump Administration issued on January 25 and the ICE raids that have followed. City Bar President Bret Parker spoke with City Bar Justice Center attorneys Danny Alicea and Laura Berger.

On the "Interior Enforcement" Executive Order, and ICE Enforcement Action

This three hour training on professional responsibility will look at three primary areas of legal services practice - limited scope representation, group representation and the unique ethical issues that come up when working with non-lawyer professionals such as social workers, case managers and physicians. The material will be suitable for new lawyers, as well as more experienced advocates whose work is affected by newer models of service. There will be an opportunity to examine case problems and ask questions of the panelists.
 Panelists:Beth Breslin, Staff Attorney, LegalHealth, New York Legal Assistance Group Marika Dias, Director, Anti-Displacement Project, Legal Services NYCSamar Katnani, Deputy Director, Housing Unit, Brooklyn Legal ServicesRandye Retkin, Director, LegalHealth, New York Legal Assistance GroupNakeeb Siddique, Supervising Attorney, Housing Help Program, Brooklyn Neighborhood Office, The Legal Aid Society Civil Practice Liliana Vaamonde, Managing Attorney, The Legal Aid Society Civil Practice
 Moderator:Mary Zulack, Clinical Professor of Law and Co-Director, Lawyering in the Digital Age Clinic, Columbia School of Law
 Sponsoring Association Committees: Social Welfare Law Committee, Susan Welber, Chair Professional Ethics Committee, Bruce Green, ChairPro Bono & Legal Services Committee, Alison King, Chair
 Co-Sponsoring Organizations:New York Legal Assistance GroupLegal Services NYC The Legal Aid Society

Professional Responsibility for Legal Services Lawyers- New Lessons- New Landscapes 4-25-17

New York City Bar Association Podcasts

The Best Multi-Part Documentaries, with documentaries on Obama, Federer vs Nadal, the making of Star Wars, Netflix vs Blockbuster and more. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

Best Multi-Part Documentaries

The best podcast episodes on Startups. For anyone working in a startup, or anyone interested in the incredible stories behind how people built companies like Instagram, and Facebook. Offering both practical advice and insights, as well as the stories for how many of the biggest startups got to where they are today. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!