2012 Annual Meeting

- Location -
Hilton New York
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York City

CONNECT WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES. . .

The New York State Bar Association’s 135th Annual Meeting

Join more than 5,000 members of the New York State Bar Association from around the state at the Annual Meeting, sharing insights and experiences. Take advantage of the excellent schedule of events presented by the Association’s sections and committees, network at the member receptions and make connections with the exciting array of exhibitors. Mark your calendars for Monday, January 23rd through Saturday, January 28th—the only place to be is at the New York State Bar Association’s 135th Annual Meeting in New York City.

MCLE Advantages – Register Early To Guarantee Your Seat

The events at the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting are always an excellent educational resource for established practitioners as well as newly admitted attorneys. As an approved provider of Continuing Legal Education, we offer you the perfect opportunity to acquire a multitude of MCLE credits in one setting. You are invited to register for as many section and committee meetings as your schedule allows.

Whether you want to hear about the most timely topics in a particular practice area, or learn about a vast array of issues affecting the legal profession, section and committee meetings are ideal resources. All meetings are conducted by expert practitioners and are open to all NYSBA members. You should register quickly because seating at each event is limited.

Download Annual Meeting Brochure and Registration Form in one document (pdf).

Download Registration Form (pdf) or Register online now. 

CELEBRATE YOUR PROFESSION . . .

Presidential Connections – Wednesday, January 25, 2012

On Wednesday, from 2:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III is convening a special
plenary Presidential Summit. The program is complimentary with your general registration.

The two-part summit will consist of the following topics:

I.   Perspectives on State Court Funding

Inadequate court funding has a far-reaching impact on our justice system, from delays in civil and criminal proceedings to the strain placed on state and local economies. A panel of legal and economic experts will discuss the national implications of the crisis in state court funding and describe the results of a recent State Bar study documenting the ways in which court cutbacks have affected courtrooms and communities throughout our state. The panel will also suggest creative and innovative funding solutions, as well as recommendations for reform, with a focus on ensuring that attorneys and their clients can effectively navigate an overburdened judicial system.

II.   Enhancing Representation in Immigration Matters: Examining the Parameters of Padilla v. Kentucky and
Elevating the Quality and Standards of Representation

In Padilla v. Kentucky, the Supreme Court expanded the right to counsel to include competent advice regarding the immigration consequences of criminal proceedings. Nevertheless, non-citizens facing deportation in immigration court proceedings are frequently detained with no right to government-funded legal assistance. Access to quality representation is often an important determinative factor in whether they achieve favorable results, and the lack of counsel makes non-citizens vulnerable to fraud and unscrupulous providers. A panel of experienced practitioners will explore innovative approaches to analyzing Padilla v. Kentucky to achieve a right to appointed counsel, and discuss methods to provide quality legal representation in immigration proceedings.

All NYSBA members also are invited to attend the President’s Reception immediately following the Presidential Summit from
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. hosted by President Vincent E. Doyle III. Join us for this complimentary reception!

A special invitation for NON-RESIDENT members of the New York State Bar Association: You are cordially invited to stop by a Welcome/Information Table, set up especially for you, at the President’s Reception on Wednesday, January 25 from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Especially for New Attorneys and Recent Law School Graduates:
Bridge the Gap 2012: Transforming Preparation Into Practice - Thursday, January 26, 2012 and Friday, January 27, 2012

This uniquely designed two-day program offers a total of 16 MCLE credits and is intended to equip newly-admitted attorneys and recent law school graduates with the skills to become skilled and savvy practitioners. The program will be held on Thursday, January 26, 2012 and Friday, January 27, 2012. The topics will include improving litigation skills, negotiation strategies, legal research and writing, real property law, corporate investigations, marketing your legal talents, elder planning law, managing your own practice, recent Supreme Court rulings and more. By attending this two-day session, you can fulfill your CLE requirements for the entire year! Credit also will be given if you can attend just one day of this program. Note to Bridge-The-Gap Attendees: You are invited to attend the Young Lawyers Section reception honoring the 2012 recipient of the Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. This complimentary cocktail reception will be held immediately following the Bridge-The-Gap session on Thursday, January 26, on the 2nd floor, Murray Hill Suite.

Additionally, please join the New York State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section, for its “Overview Of Representation of Non-U.S. Citizens” panel discussion. The half-day panel is held on Wednesday, January 25, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to learn more about the representation of non-U.S. citizens in employment discrimination and labor disputes, immigration courts and criminal courts. Attendees are welcome to attend the Young Lawyers Section Executive Committee meeting/luncheon immediately following the program on Wednesday.

Celebrating Diversity in the Bar – Monday, January 23, 2012 from 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

The New York State Bar Association is hosting its ninth annual “Celebrating Diversity in the Bar” networking reception held in collaboration with NYSBA sections, committees and minority and ethnic bar associations in New York State. This year the NYSBA is fortunate to recognize three recipients of the 2012 Diversity Trailblazer Award under the listed categories: Changemaker - Paul T. Williams, Jr., Esq., President and CEO of the New York State Dormitory Authority, Albany, NY; Lifetime Achievement - Jenny Rivera, Esq., Professor, CUNY School of Law, Flushing, NY; One-to-Watch - Joseph M. Hanna, Esq., Partner, Goldberg Segalla, Buffalo, NY. Please come promptly at 6:00 p.m. for the award ceremony followed by a networking reception. For further information, contact the NYSBA Membership Services Department at 518-487-5571.

To register for this event online, please go to www.nysba.org/2012DIV

NYSBA Career Development Conference 2012 — Monday, January 23, 2012 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Sponsored by NYSBA Committees on Law Practice Management, Lawyers in Transition, and Diversity and Inclusion

Jump Start Your Job Search: Insider Advice for Identifying, Applying for and Securing the Legal Position You Want!
Diversity and Dollars: Diversity as a Good Business Strategy for 2012

This is a complimentary program; however, pre-registration is required. (Please note: this program does not carry MCLE credit.)

Free Networking Reception Following the Program—4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

Register online by January 18, 2012 at www.nysba.org/2012CareerConference

NEW THIS YEAR...

Special Committee on Veterans MCLE Program — Tuesday, January 24, from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Serving Those Who Have Served: Legal Representation of Veterans

More than 1 million veterans call New York State home. These extraordinary Americans have many of the same civil legal needs that many of your clients face—from family law issues to consumer debt and credit issues, foreclosure, evictions, etc.

This day-long program will prepare attorneys to represent veterans by providing attendees with invaluable insight into the culture of veterans—from their military experience, to physical and psychological issues faced by veterans, including post traumatic stress, traumatic brain injury and homelessness. The program also will address ethical issues that may arise in case representation, introduce attendees to the veterans’ benefits claim process and acquaint attorneys with veterans’ courts and veteran court mentors. Information about the free civil legal services available to qualifying veterans and their family through legal services organizations and some local bar associations will be provided.

The $125 CLE fee will be waived for attorneys who agree to represent a veteran pro bono in a civil legal matter referred through an identified bar association program, volunteer lawyers project, veterans clinical program, or legal services provider.  The Annual Meeting general registration fee of $85, however, is applicable.

To register for this program, go to  www.nysba.org/veterans2012

Charity Corps: Lawyers Helping Nonprofits, a new joint initiative between the NYSBA and the
State Attorney General’s Office
Advising Nonprofits about Corporate Governance and Compliance — Thursday, January 26, from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

Many attorneys would like to assist their favorite charity—but they don’t know how. Or they may be serving on the board of a nonprofit but are not clear about their roles. This MCLE program on Thursday, January 26, from 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., will empower lawyers to initiate and strengthen their relationships with charities. The program is of particular interest to lawyers with corporate or transactional background, or any counsel who are involved with nonprofits in their professional or community activities. It is hoped that attendees will use the information to launch or enhance their engagement with a needy nonprofit in New York. Learn how familiar concepts of fiduciary duties of care and loyalty translate into the nonprofit context; become familiar with annual informational filing requirements; see how modern hallmarks of good corporate governance - audit committee charters, conflict of interest policies, executive compensation rules, whistleblower policies, document retention policies, independent counsel, board independence and more—are helping nonprofits better realize their mission to do the public good.

This program is the launch event of Charity Corps: Lawyers Helping Nonprofits, a new joint initiative between the NYSBA and the State Attorney General’s Office. All attendees will receive a copy of Lesley Rosenthal’s Good Counsel: Meeting the Legal Needs of Nonprofits.
Moderated by:  Lesley Rosenthal, General Counsel, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts

 ACCOMMODATIONS

The location of the New York State Bar Association’s 135th Annual Meeting is the Hilton New York, 1335 Avenue of the Americas, between 53rd and 54th Street, NYC. A limited number of rooms have been reserved at the Hilton New York for NYSBA members attending the 2012 Annual Meeting. Discount rates for meeting attendees are $259 per night for single or double occupancy.  Reservations must be made by December 23, 2011 to secure this special meeting rate. (Rates are subject to applicable taxes.)  Reserve your rooms directly with the Hilton New York at 800-445-8667. Be sure to mention that you are attending the NYSBA Annual Meeting. You also can reserve your overnight room on the web at www.nysba.org/12accomm. The hotel is easy to reach via public transportation. Parking is available for those who wish to drive.

Reserve your overnight room now on the web at www.nysba.org/12accomm

REGISTRATION

For NYSBA members, registration is $85 for half-day MCLE meetings and $125 for full-day MCLE meetings ($200 surcharge for non-members), with a general registration fee of $85 payable by all attendees. When you consider the MCLE credits you’ll earn, this opportunity is even more valuable. Additional pricing information for social functions is noted on the registration form. Be sure to register by January 20 to avoid the $50 late fee. Cancellations must be received by January 20 for a refund.

Download Annual Meeting Brochure and Registration Form in one document (pdf).

Download Registration Form (pdf) 

Register online now. 

The last day to pre-register online was January 28, 2012.

Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities:
NYSBA welcomes participation by individuals with disabilities. NYSBA is committed to complying with all applicable laws that prohibit discrimination against individuals on the basis of disability in the full and equal enjoyment of its goods, services, programs, activities, facilities, privileges, advantages, or accommodations. To request auxiliary aids or services or if you have any questions regarding accessibility, please contact Kathy Heider at 800-582-2452 or kheider@nysba.org.