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Welcome to the Privacy Initiative Task Force

Mission Statement:

Protecting lawyers and clients from third-party disclosure is a fundamental concern of our profession and for citizens alike.  As technology has advanced, so does the risk of illegal disclosure and inadvertent misuse of personal and business information – both at home and in the workplace.  From lawyers representing Guantanamo Bay detainees whose computers and telephones were bugged by the government, to lawyers advising clients and businesses how to meet security vulnerabilities – there still remains a high expectation of privacy.  In the face of daily transactions and events (e.g., sending emails on one’s computer, providing access to health information or financial or private business information), the consequences of invasions of privacy are far-reaching, especially considering, among other things, possible invasions of the attorney-client privilege.

The Task Force is charged with identifying discrete areas of privacy for lawyers and those they represent (businesses and individuals) concerning the Internet, health and financial information.  The Task Force shall review the laws, statutes and rules in these areas.  It shall propose procedural and substantive changes where necessary.  The Task Force shall provide opportunities to educate the profession and the public on privacy with the aim of ensuring that our laws, policies and practices are designed to reduce the risk of violations of privacy.  In addition, the Task Force shall review and report on the current remedies/compensation available to those whose data have been seized for illegitimate purposes.

The overall question the Task Force will answer is: What can New York lawyers and their clients can do to protect their privacy?  The Task Force shall prepare a report which covers the current state of the law and shall recommend any appropriate reforms (by statute, policy and practice) to the Executive Committee and the House of Delegates. 

• Final Approved Report presented at the House of Delegates-April 4, 2009 which includes the Final Approved Resoltion

• Final Approved Resolution by the House of Delegates-April 4, 2009

• House of Delegates Presentation-January 30, 2009

• News Release - October 9, 2008

WORKING GROUP

TASK FORCE CO-CHAIRS:

Kelly M. Slavitt, Esq.
Trademarks Counsel
General Electric Co.

Alison Arden Besunder, Esq.
Arent Fox LLP

BUSINESS LAW WORKING GROUP:

Chair of Working Group:
Grace Sterrett, Esq.
Hudson Cook, LLP

April B. Chang, Esq.
Phillips Lytle LLP

CRIMINAL LAW WORKING GROUP:

Chair of Working Group:
Malvina Nathanson, Esq.
  
Mark Mahoney, Esq.
Harrington & Mahoney

Larry Goldman, Esq.
The Law Offices of Lawrence Goldman

HEALTH LAW WORKING GROUP:

Co-Chair of Working Group:
Jo-Ann Marchica, Esq.
Arent Fox PLLC

Co-Chair of Working Group:
Jill Steinberg, Esq.
Arent Fox PLLC

 Paul Gillan, Jr., Esq.
Capitol District Physicians Health Plan Inc.
 
Lauren Fass, Esq.
Arent Fox PLLC

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAW WORKING GROUP:

Chair of Working Group:
Kelly M. Slavitt, Esq.
Trademarks Counsel
General Electric Co.

Matthew Asbell, Esq.
Ladas & Parry LLP

Raymond A. Mantle, Esq.

Oren Warshavsky, Esq.
Baker Hostetler

Miriam Wugmeister
Morrison & Foerster

 
LITIGATION WORKING GROUP:

Co Chairs of Working Group:

Alison Arden Besunder, Esq.
Arent Fox LLP

Jay G. Safer, Esq.
Locke Lord Bissell & Liddell LLP

Lindsay Martin, Esq.
McKool Smith

EMPLOYMENT LAW WORKING GROUP:

Chair of Employment Law Subcommittee:
Darrell Gay, Esq.
Arent Fox PLLC

Arnold Pedowitz, Esq.
Pedowitz & Meister, LLP

Michael I. Bernstein, Esq.
Bond, Schoeneck & King LLP

Wayne Outten, Esq.
Outten & Golden LLP

Maryrose Maness, Esq.
Warner Music Group Chair of Employment Law Subcommittee: