New York City Bar

An increasing number of states are enacting policies hostile to LGBTQ youth, like book bans and restrictions on participation in sports. Even in states like New York where there is greater state-level support for LGBTQ rights, similar policies aimed at stifling those rights have emerged at the local level. Amy Leipziger (Project Director, Free to Be Youth Project), Ashton Hessee (Legal Fellow, Free to Be Youth Project) and Gabriella Larios (Staff Attorney, NYCLU) of the City Bar’s LGBTQ Rights Committee unpack the damage to psychological and physical health that these bans and the anti-LGBTQ culture that they promote can have on LGBTQ youth – kids who are navigating the same developmental challenges as their peers while being saddled with these additional burdens. Amy, Ashton and Gabriella also speak to how queer and trans youth – and their parents and caregivers – can understand their rights and understand how to advocate for their rights in school. All three share stories from the frontlines of litigating a

The Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies’ Bob Schwinger hosts a discussion with fellow Task Force members Don Irwin and Tyler Yagman. They identify the key takeaways from the House Financial Services Committee’s June 5th congressional hearing about the tokenization of real-world assets, its relation to cryptocurrency, and its potential to improve market efficiency and transparency. Bob, Don, and Tyler also discuss the importance of regulatory compliance, the differences between permissioned and permissionless blockchains, and tokenization's implications for future financial inclusion. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3ZxikWG Want to learn more about emerging digital technologies and their development? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming program: Guidelines for Users and Developers of AI Powered Technologies on October 10 (https://bit.ly/GUDAI) and view our catalogue of similar on-demand CLEs (https://bit.ly/BarCTFDT). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most

President Muhammad Faridi hosts Rich Miller (former Chief of Energy Policy for New York City and former Vice President of Energy and Environmental Law at Con Edison) and Robie Craig (Senior Energy Council at the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services), Co-Chairs of the City Bar Energy Law Committee. The conversation touches on various aspects of energy policy and its relevance to New York City, including historical perspectives on power generation, the current shift towards clean energy, and the implementation of regulatory mandates such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and the Build Public Renewables Act. Muhammad, Rich and Robie also explore the city's efforts to balance environmental justice with the need for reliable energy supply, the role of Con Edison, challenges posed by intermittent renewable sources, and the steps New York City is taking to support electric vehicle adoption. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3XhBhtK Want

In this episode of the New York City Bar Association podcast, hosted by Sara Chekroun and sponsored by the Animal Law Committee, the spotlight is on Steven Wise's pioneering legal career and his legacy with the Nonhuman Rights Project (NHRP). Guests Courtney Fern and Elizabeth Stein, both attorneys with NHRP, delve into Wise's groundbreaking legal strategies that fundamentally altered the framework for animal advocacy. They discuss the application of writs of habeas corpus for non-human animals, emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence in advancing animal rights cases. The conversation also covers current legislative efforts to secure bodily liberty for elephants and other animals, underscoring the impact Wise's work has had on public and judicial perceptions of animal rights. The episode pays tribute to Steven Wise's enduring influence in the realm of animal law. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/479Ng17 Read the City Bar Animal Law Committee’s recent report supporting an NY

The metaverse isn’t just the future, it’s already here and growing in every direction. But with so many players and users expanding in the space, the boundaries between metaverse platforms are becoming more cumbersome and complex. Flora Lau and Terry Dugan of the New York City Bar Association Digital Technologies Task Force host Larry Goldberg, a pioneer in media accessibility, and Debbie Rosenbaum, a leading attorney at Meta with extensive experience in Oculus and immersive spaces. They share their thoughts on developing cross-platform standards for the metaverse, discuss the role of avatars and digital identity, and explore the challenges of making the metaverse inclusive for people with disabilities. The episode explores technical challenges, policy considerations, and the importance of social norms within virtual environments. Key topics include interoperability, the economics of digital assets, and the potential for innovative applications in extended reality. Access a transcript of this episode here: h

Muhammad Faridi, President of the New York City Bar Association, is joined by Boaz Morag, a Counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and one of the lead drafters of a recent City Bar report analyzing for the Office of the Legal Advisor in the U.S. Department of State three private international law treaties: the Hague Convention on Choice of Courts Agreements (COCA), the Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Judgments Convention), and the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (Singapore Convention). These treaties deal with the cross-border recognition and enforcement of court judgments and mediated settlement agreements. We investigate the purpose and impact of these treaties on current practice in this country and on U.S. litigants who seek to enforce U.S. courts judgments abroad, the status of the treaties, and the detailed recommendations provided in the City Bar report. The episode provides an

Hayley Gorenberg, co-chair of the LGBTQ Rights Committee, and Mary-Ellen La Rosa, Manager of Pipeline Initiatives and Education, discuss creating inclusive environments and understanding the broader social forces that contribute to inclusivity or lack thereof. They emphasize the importance of training oneself to recognize and dismantle exclusion dynamics, using respectful language, and embracing allyship. The discussion covers challenges such as deadnaming, the significance of pronoun use, and the legal implications of persistent workplace discrimination. The episode also highlights the evolving language around LGBTQ+ identities and the critical role of allies in building supportive spaces. Want to continue your learning about inclusivity? Check out the City Bar’s on-demand program: Being Seen in Dialogue for Diversity: A Discussion on Intersectional Feminism in the Legal Profession https://bit.ly/3xD90oy Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3W15opI 00:00 Introduction to Inclusive Envi

Karyn A. Temple is the Senior Executive Vice President and Global General Counsel for the Motion Picture Association (MPA) and one of the world’s leading authorities on copyright and anti-piracy. Karyn oversees the MPA’s legal affairs and content protection efforts worldwide. Before joining the MPA, Karyn served more than eight years in the U.S. Copyright Office as the Register of Copyrights, where she led the 400-person agency and its eight divisions. Karyn previously served as Vice President of Litigation and Legal Affairs for the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), spent several years as a litigation associate at the law firm, Williams & Connolly LLP, and received her J.D. from Columbia University School of Law, where she was Senior Editor of the Columbia Law Review, and served as Chairperson of the Columbia Black Law Students’ Association. Karyn recently joined the Board of the Institute for Intellectual Property and Social Justice and has served in several prominent volunteer positions i

On today’s podcast the City Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) hosts a discussion with Lara Gregory, an attorney, activist and community leader. Together with LAP Clinical Coordinator Michele Cuevas (JD, LCSW), Ms. Gregory talks about her roots in the Philippines and in the legal community as well as her experience as an AAPI woman lawyer. Ms. Gregory shared about the activism in support of the AAPI community and against AAPI hate which she has led and participated in, and gave her perspective on the impact of hate crimes on broader communities. She also spoke about the need to speak candidly and openly about women’s health both in the legal profession and beyond. Lara Gregory is an attorney with over twenty years of experience; recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Office of the President of the United States and AmeriCorps; a member of the Hate Crimes Task Force of the National Federation of Filipino Association and Filipino Americans for Racial Action; a member of the AAPI Advisory Board

The New York City Bar Association is proud to welcome its next President, Muhammad U. Faridi. Besides being a longstanding, active member of the New York City Bar Association, Mr. Faridi is a Litigation Partner at Patterson, Belknap, Webb and Tyler. He serves as the independent civilian representative to the New York City Police Department's Handschu Committee, which regulates NYPD policies and practices regarding investigations of political activity in compliance with a consent decree. He previously served on the New York City Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. He is the first Muslim-American to serve as President of the City Bar. Here, addressing the 2024 annual meeting of the City Bar on May 21st, is New York City Bar Association President Muhammad U. Faridi. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3R2k459

The City Bar Task Force on Digital Technologies dives into the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in the insurance sector, highlighting the unique regulatory environment in the United States where insurance is state regulated. It discusses the role of key states such as New York and Colorado and the national guidance provided by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) on the use of AI in insurance in a range of areas. The podcast features expert insights from Jerome Walker, Sophia Duffy, Azish Filabi, and Corey Goldstein, who discuss and compare the transformative effects of AI in insurance, focusing on actions by the New York State Department of Financial Services, the Colorado Division of Insurance and NAIC on ethical implications, the challenges of managing third-party algorithm developers, and recommendations for a national framework to ensure AI's ethical use in insurance. They elaborate on the roles of governance, testing, and third-party vendor management in complyin

Artificial intelligence tools are already changing the legal landscape, so how will lawyers know how to use them while complying with existing ethics rules? David Keyko and Tyler Maulsby – current and former chairs of the City Bar Professional Ethics Committee – join Azish Filabi, Executive Director of the American College of Financial Services Center for Ethics, on the latest podcast from the Digital Technologies Task Force to talk about the current landscape of ethics rules in relation to emerging digital technologies. They dig into the implications for the duties of confidentiality, disclosure and transparency while examining whether past leaps in technology – think cell phones and email – can inform the technological revolution that is happening underfoot today. Tune in to learn more about: • How do current legal ethics rules address digital technology? • What legal ethics rules exist addressing artificial intelligence? • What legal ethics considerations should lawyers have when advising clients on new

The judiciary is poised for transformation in the AI era. From the courtroom to chambers, judges will likely need to address AI. Are current tools accurate enough for judicial work? How will judges be able to verify appropriate uses of these tools? What new opportunities and new headaches are going to crop up in courtrooms? Harut Minasian of the City Bar Working Group on Judicial Administration and Artificial Intelligence takes on those questions and more with two former federal judges: Hon. Katherine Forrest (S.D.N.Y.) and Hon. Paul Grimm (D. Md.). Tune in to learn more about:  • What are the challenges at the intersection of AI and evidence?  • How are professional responsibility rules changing to account for the use of AI in legal practice?  • Will AI democratize legal services and access to justice?  • What is the future of AI in the courtroom?   Use this link to access a transcript of this episode: https://bit.ly/43PZslY

The City Bar Digital Technologies Task Force teams up today with the Financial Technology Association for a deep dive into the State of Fintech. Angelena Bradfield (FTA), Adam VanWagner (MoneyLion), Matt Cameron (Remitly), Meredith Fuchs (Plaid), and Parris Sanz (WebBank) unpack the current legal and regulatory environment, especially with regard to recent moves toward an open banking rule. Our guests discuss the significant impact of fintech on financial inclusion, consumer benefits, and the evolving landscape of digital financial services. The conversation highlights the crucial role of regulatory flexibility and the potential of technologies like AI in fostering innovation while ensuring robust consumer protection. The discussion also touches on the significant implications of regulatory actions at both federal and state levels on the fintech ecosystem. The experts call for a balanced approach to regulation that encourages innovation and ensures consumer trust in the fintech industry. Tune in to hear more

Committee member Aimee Latorre speaks with Craig Dobson, a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. They focused on healthy eating practices as well as how lawyers can use mindful approaches to eating that support their personal and professional well-being. Craig is a practicing ethics attorney with a vivid personal journey into the world of nutrition and coaching. He shared some common-sense framing devices when approaching nutrition. Craig also spoke about forming habits and building new practices. Tune in to learn more about: • How mindful eating can contribute to attorney well-being • How wellness coaches can support clients in making informed choices on their personal wellness journeys • Different forms of misinformation around diet and nutrition • Craig’s tips for starting a mindfulness practice based on his own experience starting from step one Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/49TTjr7

Bad actors have been some of the earliest and most skillful adopters of new financial digital technologies. They are using those technologies to move money and finance their operations in ways that present a raft of new challenges for law enforcement agents and financial regulatory agencies. The justice and financial systems are speedily reacting and learning to enforce financial laws in the digital world. It’s uncharted territory, and the laws and regulations enforced by various agencies often overlap. So the City Bar Digital Technology Task Force invited five of its members (all current and former law enforcement and compliance chiefs) to start the discussion about how market participants and other stakeholders can understand the actions of law enforcement and regulatory agencies in the digital technologies arena. Tune in to learn more about: • How the US at the federal, state, and local levels fight narcotics, trafficking and money laundering in the digital world. • The ins and outs of public private par

Flying cars and vertipads. Electric cars filling the streets with a charging station on every block. That’s the not-so-distant future and the experts are getting serious about preparing for it. How will the grid accommodate all of these new draws on electricity? How will this army of new devices communicate with each other? What business models will govern our new technologies? Who will own the galaxy of new data that results? Matthew Daus, Margaret Barry, Elizabeth Stein and Lorraine McGowen from the Electronic Mobility Subcommittee of the Digital Technology Task Force tackle these and more pressing questions in this episode of the New York City Bar Podcast. Stay tuned to hear more about: • What are emerging transportation technologies? • What’s next for the proliferation of electric vehicles? • How will we need to adapt the electrical grid to accommodate all of these new technologies, and how can we ensure they are deployed equitably? • What new challenges in product liability are going to come with new e

Governor Hochul has proposed transferring one hundred million dollars from the state’s IOLA account into the State General Fund. That could have cascading consequences for the State’s legal services community and the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers that it serves. We’re here today to help you understand what IOLA is, the stakes in the governor’s budget proposal, and what lawyers and others can do to stand up for IOLA. View a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3OFrYjX

Almost everyone has heard of the metaverse and seen that word in a splashy headline. But what is it, really, and what could it become in the future? In some sense, the answer is simple and very broad: the metaverse is a new environment for people to interact, shop, play and learn, and a new environment for companies to advertise, market and sell. But the metaverse today is a new Wild West where potential for innovation is matched by potential risk factors in terms of ownership, liability, trademark and intellectual property, and much more. Jerome Walker, Flora Lau and Terry Dugan from the City Bar Digital Technology Task Force dive into the innovations and the risks that are emerging today. And they ask, with creators and companies galloping into the new frontier, where are they going and who will be in charge? Tune in to hear more about: • What is the metaverse? Why was it created? And what is the metaverse experience like? • Who are some of the leading companies in the metaverse? • Why should lawyers fo

The Digital Technology Task Force explores the crisis of unequal access to digital technologies. Robert A. Marchman and Jolevette Mitchell talk about how this huge issue can hide in plain sight, and they go over some of the existing efforts to close the gap as well as existing challenges. This episode also covers some of the pitfalls that even well-intentioned reforms must be careful to avoid. Tune in to hear more about: • What is the digital divide? Who are the communities that are affected? • What is being done at the local, state and federal level to close the digital divide? • How can existing programs be expanded, and how can existing programs better work together? • How can reform efforts avoid the possible harms implicit in the use of many technologies? Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/48wlqvo Related Resources (NYS ConnectALL) Five-Year Action Plan - Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program: https://on.ny.gov/3tCipLf (GAO) Broadband - National