New York Civil Law

Urban Justice Center's 22nd Beer, Blues and Barbecue Fundraiser

Nicole over at the Urban Justice Center sent me this information about an upcoming fundraiser in New York City:

The Urban Justice Center's 22nd Annual Beer, Blues, and Barbecue fundraiser happens on June 11th at the West Side Loft (326 W. 37th St), starting at 6:00 PM.  I’ve attached a copy of the invitation: 

Download BBBQ_EMAIL.pdf

Here are some details about the event:

Hundreds of young professionals representing New York City's leading law, financial and real estate firms join together every year to support the UJC's mission of advocating for individual rights and creating systemic change through this fun and exciting event.  This year, the party includes: a mechanical bull, Virgil’s BBQ, a live band, an open bar (including Brooklyn Brewery and Dewar's 12), a live auction, photo booth, and raffles.  Proceeds from this year's benefit will support our efforts to achieve social justice.

Justice Scalia Interview

In case you missed it earlier today, here is the Justice Scalia interview on 60 Minutes (Part I and Part II). 

Justice Scalia's new book (written with Bryan Garner), "Making Your Case: The Art of Persuading Judges" was featured in the interview.

Upcoming Golf Benefit for Family Counseling Services

I wanted to call your attention to a golf benefit that is occurring on May 19, 2008 at the Westhampton Country Club.  The benefit is for Family Counseling Services -- a licensed, non-profit, non-sectarian agency serving Eastern Long Island.  FCS was established in 1971 and is a community-based, United Way agency providing treatment, prevention, education, crisis intervention and supportive services at its main office in Westhampton Beach and its satellite offices in Brookhaven and Shirley.

Here is the brochure for the event helping an important cause (Download fcs_golf_broch_2008.pdf).

Free Webcast of New State Bar Association's Presidential Summit

Through the efforts of the New York State Bar Association's Electronic Communications Task Force, the State Bar will be webcasting the Presidential Summit on January 30th at 2 PM.  Here is the agenda (Download presidential_summit_agenda.pdf).

If you can't be at the NYSBA Annual Meeting, you can catch part, the webcast.  Just go to the  http://www.webcatter.com/live/nysbar/ to view the summit live over the Internet.

Unfortunately no CLE credit is available for viewing the webcast.

Excellent Upcoming Appellate Advocacy Seminar

I'd like to apprise you of an upcoming seminar an appellate advocacy.  I do so not solely because I am a member of the committee sponsoring the seminar; my experiences attending past seminars make me confident to say that this committee's seminars are some of the finest I've attended.

The upcoming Appellate Advocacy Seminar is sponsored by the DRI and will be held in Orlando, Florida on February 28-29, 2008.  The seminar's brochure is attached here: Download final_dri_app_advocacy.pdf

A  distinguished faculty of judges, professors, and appellate practitioners who will provide various perspectives on appellate advocacy.  A panel of federal and state appellate judges--Judge Diane Sykes of the Seventh Circuit, Chief Justice Jean Hoefer Toal of the South Carolina Supreme Court, and Judge Theodore McKee of the Third Circuit--will discuss the view from the other side of the bench. 

Dahlia Lithwick, a professional writer, will offer insights on how to create prose that will draw in the reader, and Professor Ruth Robbins will discuss the value of persuasion through appearance. 

Professor David Stras and attorney Patricia Millett will lead a panel discussion assessing the Roberts Court. 

James Duff, director of the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, will examine trends in federal appellate practice.  Additionally, a panel of general counsel will share their views on the role of appellate lawyers during significant trials.   

The seminar will be held at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes Resort.  The number of credit hours is pending, but it should be around 12 hours, including one hour of ethics credit. 

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.  I can send you excerpts of the quality materials that I received during past seminars to help you make your decision to attend this upcoming seminar. 

New York Superintendent of Insurance Unveils Principles-Based Insurance Regulations Proposal

As InsureReinsure.com reports, New York Superintendent of Insurance Eric Dinallo unveiled a draft regulation that would establish a system of principles-based regulation in New York State (see post here and see press release here).

Governor Eliot Spitzer Nominates Judge Ciparick to New York Court of Appeals

BREAKING NEWS

Governor Eliot Spitzer today nominated New York Court of Appeals' Judge Carmen Ciparick to the Court for another term (see press release here).

The State Commission on Judicial Nomination Offers 5 Choices for Next Year's Open Slot on New York Court of Appeals

Last week, the state Commission on Judicial Nomination offered 5 recommendations for the seat on the New York Court of Appeals that will be open on January 1, 2008 -- when Judge Ciparick's 14-year term expires.

The choices are:

Judge Carmen Ciparick, who currently sits on the New York Court of Appeals;

George F. Carpinello, a partner in the Boies, Schiller & Flexner;

Jeremy G. Epstein, a partner in the Shearman & Sterling;

Helen E. Freedman, currently a state Supreme Court justice for New York County, Commercial Division; and

Steven C. Krane, partner in the Proskauer Rose law firm.

Happy First Monday

Happy First Monday.  Today starts the 2007-2008 Term of the Supreme Court of the United States.  See this article in the Detroit Free Press about some upcoming cases.

Urban Justice Center's Innovations in Social Justice Award

The Urban Justice Center has just created a new award that readers might be interested in.  Here is the information below:

THE URBAN JUSTICE CENTER’S INNOVATIONS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARD

The Urban Justice Center (UJC) has created the “Innovations in Social Justice Award.”* The Award will provide seed money to an individual to start a new, innovative Project at the UJC. We seek a highly qualified individual to develop a Project that will advocate for a marginalized and under-represented population in creative ways. Factors for selection include the applicant’s experience and creativity, and the likelihood that the applicant will have a high impact and successfully maintain the Project after the conclusion of the Award. Advocacy methodology is limited only by the creativity of the recipient and may include litigation, public education, coalition building, and grass-roots mobilization. The winning candidate will start a Project within the UJC’s New Project Initiative under the supervision of the Executive Director.

Award

The award will be $100,000, which will be used for salary, fringe benefits, overhead and other project expenses. The funds must be budgeted to last for a minimum of one year. The salary level will depend on the experience of the recipient and will reflect a fair wage for public interest work in New York City. The candidate that is selected will start a Project within the UJC’s New Project Initiative under the supervision of the Executive Director.

Click here for the application.  Click here for more information.