New York City Bar

The Mindfulness and Wellbeing in the Law Committee returns to the airwaves to give you the lawyer’s perspective on the healing power of music. Scott Mason, Nancy Batterman and Kathryn Schneider explore the mindfulness practices inherent to musical artistry, and the way that those practices can inform a life in the law. Nancy and Kathy share their personal journeys in the City Bar Chorus and the strong sense of community they have built there. The episode gives a new framing for some of the challenging aspects of the legal profession, like performing under pressure and navigating a proclivity for perfectionism. We close with a guided meditation and a poem by Rumi, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional dimensions of engaging with music. Kathryn Schneider is the Musical Director of the New York City Bar Chorus, which is giving two public concerts (with identical setlists) in June 2025 at the House of the Association showcasing musical theater and film selections, including from Sweeney Todd, Encanto, Kinky Bo

A new City Bar report (https://bit.ly/3FURuAi) from the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology highlights the harmful effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on people with disabilities, and the harm likely to occur for them in the future. The Task Force’s  Subcommittee on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on People with Disabilities and Underserved Communities continues the conversation in this podcast episode featuring attorneys, researchers, and technology leaders. They talk about the current challenges and opportunities AI presents for people with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of inclusive design and representation. Want to be part of the discussion? Register for the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute on June 16 (available on-demand thereafter): https://services.nycbar.org/AIInstitute/ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming CLE programs and events as well as on-demand CLE content. 03:06 Overv

The City Bar Presidential Task Force on AI and digital technologies hosts this discussion on AI governance in the financial sector. Azish Filabi (American College McGuire Center for Ethics and Financial Services) moderates with Muyiwa Odeniyide (Nasdaq), Adam Marchuck (Citi), Jordan Romanoff (BNY Mellon), Stuart Levi (Skadden Arps), and Corey Goldstein (Paul Weiss). They share best practices for integrating AI governance and the specific risks associated with third-party AI vendors, underscoring the importance of cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning for lawyers navigating the rapidly changing AI environment. Want to learn more about AI governance in the financial sector? Register for the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute on June 16 (available on-demand thereafter): https://services.nycbar.org/AIInstitute/ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming CLE programs and events as well as on-demand CLE content. 01:08 AI Ethics and Financ

Every day, New Yorkers are involuntarily committed to hospitals and mental health facilities for psychiatric treatment. But what happens when a patient wishes to be released from a hospital or refuses medication? In this podcast, we are joined by Hon. W. Frank Perry to discuss Mental Hygiene Proceedings, a little-known area of the law designed to resolve disputes between mental health patients and the facilities responsible for treating them. In this discussion, Judge Perry describes his transition from a Supreme Court Justice in the General Assignment Part to his current role as the sole Judge presiding over Mental Hygiene Proceedings throughout New York County. This open and honest conversation explores Judge Perry’s experience with helping people at their most vulnerable moments, the tension between protecting individual rights of patients and ensuring that they are not a threat to themselves or others, and the procedure for carrying this out. We hope that this discussion can shed some light on a legal pro

Sara Walsh and Elizabeth Pyjov discuss the critical role of compassion in the legal field. Elizabeth shares her extensive background in compassion training, her experiences living in diverse cultures, and how these shaped her understanding of human suffering. Together, they delve into the definitions and science of compassion, the eternal role of the arts in processing suffering, and practical ways to cultivate compassion. They emphasize that a compassionate approach can significantly improve lawyers' well-being and their professional interactions, ultimately leading to a more just and thriving society. If you’re interested in incorporating mindfulness and well-being into your practice, join the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee for a Mindfulness Break, Yoga for Lawyers, or its next Book Club. More information about the committee and its upcoming events is available here. 02:09 Elizabeth's Journey: From Literature to Law 07:16 Defining Compassion in the Legal Profession 07:32 The Science Behind C

Today the City Bar Podcast brings you an episode from its sister show, Building Belonging, a podcast of the City Bar's Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Building Belonging is launching a new season that brings listeners into the heartfelt, uncertain, messy, hopeful discussions that capture the work of DEIB on the ground as the landscape shifts and changes. In the first episode of Building Belonging season two, ODIEB dives deep into the fundamental question: What is DEI really? With the haters circling and pushback in full force, a lot of people are returning to this question to understand how to move justice forward. The team explores their individual journeys into DEI and what it means to them. As Eli puts it, this conversation seeks to address 'what DEI is, what it is not, where it is going, and who our allies are,' clearing up misconceptions and providing a nuanced understanding of essential concepts. Tanya highlights the innate human essence of DEI, saying, 'At its core, it is

Microsoft is mobilizing generative artificial intelligence technology to address the access to justice gap in the United States. In partnership with the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project (NWIRP), they have built a collaborative initiative, ‘LUZ,’ to streamline and scale the DACA renewal process for Dreamers. The City Bar Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technology’s Ray Brescia hosts Malou Chávez, Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project (NWIRP), and Microsoft’s Global Pro Bono Manager Adrian Palma and UX/UI designer Amae Kurre to talk about the access to justice gap that inspired the project, the role of tech in making legal services more efficient, and the essential nature of human oversight in AI-driven legal processes. Want to learn more about how AI and digital technology are being mobilized to close the digital divide in access to justice? You can access the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute on demand: https://bit.ly/4j3lCYQ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all

In this episode of Mindful Lawyering we explore the emotional, mental, and physical toll of caregiver roles, particularly in the legal profession, and share practical strategies for managing stress — including seeking support, realigning priorities, and practicing self-compassion. Jordana Confino, a former practicing attorney and founder of JC Coaching and Consulting, is joined by Robbie Margolius, Director of Wellbeing at Arnold and Porter. The episode concludes with a self-compassion meditation led by Nancy Batterman, Deputy General Counsel at NYC's Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development. Sneak Peak: “41 percent of parents say that most days they're so stressed they can't function. And 48 percent say that their stress is completely overwhelming. But compared to other adults, that level is at 20%.” “I think so many of us, especially lawyers, believe that if it doesn't hurt, it's not working. If we're not burning the candle at both ends, we're not being productive. If we're not pushing oursel

Our latest episode is brought to you by the City Bar’s Mass Incarceration Task Force. Tess Cohen, Chair of Task Force, discusses the Treatment Court Expansion Act, formerly known as the Treatment Not Jail Act, with guests Jeffrey Berman, a mental health attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Manhattan, and Mark Graham, founder and executive director of the Redemption Center. They explore the legislation's goal to expand treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and other disabilities. The discussion covers the bill's potential to reduce recidivism, the role of diversion courts, and the broader societal impact of addressing mental health and substance use issues within the community. Join the coalition at treatmentnotjail.com and advocate for change in our community. If you want to learn more about sensible legislative solutions to the treatment of people who are incarcerated in New York, read the Mass Incarceration Task Force’s reports o

Jerome Walker, co-chair of the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, leads a discussion on President Trump's January 23, 2025 executive order: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. The episode features insights from Nikhil Aggarwal, Harut Minasian, and Nichole Sterling on the implications of reversing President Biden's AI policies. Key discussions include the roles of federal and state regulations, the balance between innovation and safety, and the international landscape of AI regulations. Nikhil, Harut and Nichole also explain foundational principles like explainability, transparency, and fairness in AI models, and assess how stakeholders should navigate these regulatory changes. Additionally, the episode delves into practical examples of AI applications in national security and offers strategic advice for market participants over the next four years. If you’re interested in learning more about cryptocurrency and regulatory treatment of

Two legal experts, Tiffany Smith from WilmerHale and Stuart Levi from Skadden Arps, analyze President Trump's January 23rd, 2025 Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology. They compare it with President Biden's previous executive order, discussing the balance between innovation and risk, potential impacts on the digital assets industry, regulatory clarifications, and international competition. The experts also emphasize the need for balanced, cautious optimism while engaging with both federal and state regulators. If you’re interested in learning more about cryptocurrency and regulatory treatment of digital financial technology, join us for the City Bar’s Crypto Institute on March 11 (https://services.nycbar.org/Institute/ and available thereafter on-demand). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology: https://www.whitehouse.gov/pres

This episode of the New York City Bar Association comes to you from the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee. Host Scott Mason and committee Chair Aimee Latorre delve into the dimensions of wellbeing, Aimee’s personal journey with mindfulness, and the profession’s current crisis of mental health, attrition, and substance abuse. They also discuss the six dimensions of wellbeing defined by the ABA, and the additional two by the New York State Bar Association. Aimee highlights practical steps individuals and organizations can take to foster a culture of wellbeing and the positive impact it has on ethical and competent legal practice. If you’re interested in incorporating mindfulness and well-being into your practice, join the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee for a Mindfulness Break, Yoga for Lawyers, or its next Book Club. More information about the committee and its upcoming events is available here: https://www.nycbar.org/committees/mindfulness-well-being-in-law-committee/ Visit nycbar.org

Our latest episode from the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies surveys an emerging landscape of legislation around AI liabilities and remedies. David Lisson (Davis Polk), Clint Morrison (Patterson Belknap), Shayne O'Reilly (Meta), Matt Bacal (Davis Polk), and Rama Elluru ( Special Competitive Studies Project) unpack regulations from state, federal and international bodies covering topics such as disclosure and transparency, kids' safety, deep fakes, non-consensual intimate imagery, and intellectual property. They also touch upon the significant penalties under the EU AI Act and the broader themes emerging from these legislative efforts, emphasizing the balance between innovation and regulation. If you’re interested in learning more about how artificial intelligence will affect the legal world, check out the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute, available on-demand. Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming progra

Salahuddin Ahmed, a constitutional lawyer and expert from Pakistan, visited the City Bar Middle East and North African Affairs Committee to discuss the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan and its impact on the independence of the Supreme Court and the Rule of Law. For a brief background on how the 26th Amendment attempts to subjugate the judiciary to the present regime in Pakistan, read the statement of the International Commission of Jurists. https://www.icj.org/pakistan-26th-constitutional-amendment-is-a-blow-to-the-independence-of-the-judiciary/ At least two Senators said in television interviews that they were compelled to vote for the Amendment after being kidnapped and having their family members kidnapped. The inducements and coercion adopted during the process were widely reported in Pakistani media and even raised in Parliament. For example, see: https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2024/senators-seek-end-to-coercion-to-get-vote-on-judicial-reforms The preliminary problem with this legal c

The City Bar's Environmental Law Committee hosted a discussion on NYSDEC's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and New York City's Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) which encourage private-sector cleanups of contaminated sites and promotes the redevelopment of the sites through economic incentives. We discussed the potential impact these programs may have on environmental justice communities in New York City and also look at various case studies across New York City and their differing perspectives on the topic. Moderator: Heather Leibowitz, Senior Attorney, NYSDEC Region 2 Speakers: George Duke, Vice President, NYC Brownfields Partnership Rebecca Bratspies, Professor of Environmental and Public International Law, CUNY School of Law; Director of the Center of Urban Environmental Reform, CUNY Melissa Checker, Professor of Urban Studies, Queens College; Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, CUNY Graduate Center Barry Hersh, Professor, NYPU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate

To many of us, the answer seems obvious as the AI wave continues to crest. The City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies hosts Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas, and Maura Grossman, a lawyer and scholar specializing in technology assisted review, to join Task Force member David Zaslowsky in giving that question a closer look. With lawyers filing in court, perhaps we're leaping to conclusions that don't match our experience. After all, lawyers once worried that tech like email would be the end of confidentiality. Then again, when it comes to judges, the risks may be just as high as we think. Research and fact-finding may be one thing, but what about when a judge asks an AI tool to render a legal decision?  Judge Rodriguez and Professor Grossman consider many cases and court rules from the past year as we pull apart the surprising nuances of the question: should lawyers and judges be required to disclose their use of AI? If

Muhammad Faridi, City Bar President, interviews Jethro Eisenstein, a key figure in the creation of the NYC’s Handschu Committee in response to NYPD "Red Squad" activities in the 1970s and 80s. Jethro shares the history of the Handschu litigation, a landmark case initiated in 1971 that imposed significant oversight on the NYPD’s investigation of political groups. Jethro recounts the origins of the case, the challenges that the Committee has faced through the years, and the evolution of legal oversight mechanisms over decades, including a post-9/11 revival. He reflects on his career and the impact of the Handschu guidelines on civil rights and police accountability. 01:37 Meet Jethro Eisenstein: A Legal Luminary 02:25 The Handschu Litigation: Origins and Impact 02:50 Jethro's Journey to Law and Early Career 08:14 The Red Squad and Political Surveillance 09:56 The Panther 21 Trial and Its Aftermath 12:29 Drafting the Handschu Complaint 25:57 Litigation Challenges and Class Action Certification 29:03 Settlement

In this podcast hosted by the City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, Alona Katz, Chief of the Virtual Currency Unit at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, alongside a panel of experts, discusses the growing issue of cryptocurrency investment scams, specifically 'pig butchering,' which one guest describes as “ a confidence scam and a romance scam and an investment scam all wrapped into one.” The panel includes Inspector Osvaldo Nunez from the New York City Police Department; Kristen Spaeth, Manager on the Global Intelligence Team at Coinbase; Jonathan Scharf, Deputy Chief of Major Economic Crimes at the Queens County District Attorney's Office; and Adrian Cheek, a disruption expert. They share insights on current trends, investigation techniques, and strategies for effective disruption and seizure of assets. The group emphasizes education as a key tool for inoculating the public to these scams, the importance of public-private sector collaboration, and pro

In this special episode we hear the Hon. Jed S. Rakoff – Senior Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of New York – deliver a speech to the Association entitled "The U.S. Supreme Court’s History as a Regressive Institution." Judge Rakoff’s speech is part of City Bar’s Benjamin N. Cardozo Lecture Series, which is inspired by the legacy of Benjamin N. Cardozo "and his love for the law, passion for justice and sympathy for humanity." First presented in 1941, previous speakers in the series have included Robert H. Jackson, Felix Frankfurter, William O. Douglas, Earl Warren, William J. Brennan, Jr., Marian Wright Edelman, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among many others. Judge Rakoff was introduced by Judge Raymond Lohier, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after a welcome from City Bar President Muhammad Faridi.

Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies members Wendy Butler Curtis and Robert Mahari are joined by Cai GoGwilt, founder of Ironclad, to discuss the power and potential of Agentic AI. Their conversation explores the definitions, capabilities, and notable limitations of the emerging Large Language Models. Building on Forbes’ “intern” analogy, the co-hosts highlight the ways in which Agentic AI can enhance productivity across several fields with its hyperintelligence and adaptability to complex tasks. Curtis, Mahari and GoGwilt conclude with thoughts on its future development, ethical considerations of its usage, and anecdotes of their most interesting encounters with these tools. If you’re interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, join us for related programs at the City Bar, including the UN Summit of the Future: International Regulation of AI on November 4 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=TFDT110424) and the Artificial Intelligence in Health Care: An Overv