Department of Government Relations

New York State Bar Association Gravely Concerned About the Impact of the Government Shutdown on the Courts

The inability of our courts to operate fully and provide justice on a daily basis is a grave concern to the New York State Bar Association. We call on Congress to end the shutdown. (Oct. 21, 2025)

To Get to the Truth, Go to the Primary Source, Says New York State Bar Association Media Literacy Panel

“As members of the legal community, we share responsibility to help the public evaluate information, pursue and amplify the truth, think critically, and participate meaningfully in our democracy,” said New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet. (Oct. 21, 2025)

Expansion of Civic Readiness Program Needed in New York’s Schools

New high school civics programs are showing promise but must be expanded. (Oct. 21, 2025)

New York State Bar Association To Host Convocation on Media Literacy in a Digital World: Under President Sweet’s leadership, NYSBA is convening a “Media Literacy in a Digital World” event on Oct. 20 to bring together education, legal, media, and political leaders to explore strategies for countering misinformation and strengthening public trust in media. (Oct. 14, 2025)

Unvetted, Unconfirmed US Attorneys Shift Too Much Power to Trump: President Sweet argues that bypassing Senate confirmation to install politically aligned U.S. attorneys concentrates prosecutorial power in the executive branch and undermines constitutional checks and impartial justice. (Oct. 9, 2025)

Proposed Changes to Student Loan Forgiveness Has Chilling Effect on Law Students and Public Service Attorneys (Sept. 30, 2025)

President Kathleen Sweet Joins Panel on Needs of New York’s Civil Legal Service Providers: NYSBA President Sweet participating in a hearing with state judicial leaders and service providers to address funding shortfalls, staffing challenges, and the growing access-to-justice gap in New York’s civil legal aid system. (Sept. 23, 2025)

The Elusive Rule of Law

Judge Barry Kamins chronicles the crafting of the rule of law and its challenges from the Federalist papers to the Dobbs decision. (Sept. 22, 2025)

Another Voice: Medical Aid in Dying Has Been Extensively Reviewed: President Sweet explains how New York’s proposed Medical Aid in Dying law is backed by rigorous legal, ethical, and empirical review, and offers terminally ill patients’ dignity, autonomy, and safeguards against abuse. (Aug. 27, 2025)

ABA Resolution on Reporting of Stolen or Lost Guns Passes With New York State Bar Association Support: ABA House of Delegates approved a resolution—backed by President Sweet and NYSBA—calling for laws that require gun owners to promptly report missing firearms under threat of civil or criminal penalties. (Aug. 13, 2025)

Queens Rep. Grace Meng Speaks in Support of Civil Legal Services Funding: With the assistance of President Sweet, Representative Meng publicly opposed deep cuts to the Legal Services Corporation, warning that slashing its budget would deprive vulnerable New Yorkers—including her constituents—of critical legal aid. (June 30, 2025)

NYSBA Opposes Senate Legislation Linking Broadband Funding to Prohibition of Artificial Intelligence Regulations: New York State Bar Association opposed a Senate proposal that would have conditioned broadband funding on banning state regulation of artificial intelligence, arguing it infringed on states’ rights and access to justice, and the Senate ultimately removed the restriction. (June 30, 2025)

New York State Bar Association Supports Birthright Citizenship: NYSBA President Sweet affirms that every child born in the U.S. — including to undocumented immigrants — is constitutionally entitled to citizenship under the 14th Amendment. (June 27, 2025)

Letter from the NYSBA President Sweet to NY Senators on AI and Broadband (June 26, 2025)

NYSBA To Host Free Seminar on How Schools, Places of Worship, and Health Care Centers Can Respond to Immigration Enforcement (June 18, 2025)

New York State Bar Association Decries Proposed Elimination of Legal Services Corporation

This drastic measure threatens to deprive millions of Americans of their fundamental right to legal representation. (June 9, 2025)

NYBA President Calls Latest White House Directive an Assault on the Legal Profession

“President Trump’s threat to retaliate and seek sanctions against any lawyer or law firm who files a lawsuit against the U. S. government undermines our legal system. Further, the call for impeachment of any judge who rules against his administration violates the principle of an impartial and independent judiciary that is the foundation of our American democracy.” (Mar. 24, 2025)

New York State Bar Association Decries Threats on Judges

“All Americans whatever their political persuasion should speak out against threats to judges. For democracy to work, we want all judges to be free to decide cases and issue rulings without fear for their safety or that of their families. They cannot defend themselves, but we can, and we must.” (Mar. 12, 2025)

NYSBA Condemns Executive Orders Punishing Lawyers for Representing Causes the Trump Administration Doesn’t Like

“The Executive Orders attacking lawyers and law firms for doing their jobs – which include representing any cause the president doesn’t like — threaten to upend a bedrock principle of the American legal system.” (Mar. 10, 2025)

New York State Bar Association To Examine Hot-Button Issues of Challenges to the Rule of Law

“The rule of law is the foundation of our democracy,” said Domenick Napoletano, president of the New York State Bar Association. “Without it, our society would devolve into chaos and violence. As legal professionals, we have sworn to uphold the values of the rule of law.” (Mar. 6, 2025)

New York State Bar Association Issues Statement on Equal Access to Justice

“The New York State Bar Association will continue to advocate for ensuring equal access to justice for all persons, especially those in need.” (Feb. 18, 2025)

New York State Bar Association Decries President Trump’s Executive Order Denying Citizenship to Children Born in the United States

“The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution is unequivocal. It grants citizenship to every baby born in the United States with limited exceptions. Ignoring decades of court precedent, President Donald Trump on his first day in office issued an executive order denying citizenship to the 150,000 babies born each year to undocumented immigrants.” (Jan. 24, 2025)