The Network of Bar Leaders is a coalition of 46 member bar associations dedicated to bringing together the leadership of the diverse bar associations of the greater New York Metropolitan area. Formed over 25 years ago, Network provides a forum for the exchange of information and ideas and serves as a vehicle for joint action on issues of mutual concern and pending legislation. The Network of Bar Leaders is the legal community's most diverse institution. It includes each of the five county bar associations, numerous citywide and statewide specialty groups, specialty bar associations dedicated to every field of practice, as well as ethnic and religious bar associations. Because of its great diversity, the organization is often called upon to express a consensus opinion on behalf of the organized bars in matters affecting the legal community as a whole.
News & Updates
Network of Bar Leaders Honors Gary B. Pillersdorf
![Peter Dizozza honors Gary B. Pillersdorf with his song \"I Love the Law\"](/images/pillersdorf/pillersdorf-03.jpg "Peter Dizozza honors Gary B. Pillersdorf with his song \\"I Love the Law\\"")
The Network of Bar Leaders gratefully thanks LawCash and Forge Consulting, LLC for its sponsorship of this event.
Click here for Gary Pillersdorf's bio.
Judicial Campaign Ethics Center
Resources for Attorneys Involved in Judicial Campaigns
For attorneys who are considering a campaign for elective judicial office this year in New York State or who may be asked to serve on a judicial candidate's campaign committee, click here for a flyer providing information on these items.
Judicial Campaign Ethics Center are available to answer any questions and offer assistance to either candidates or campaign committee members.
They can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 1-888-600-JCEC (5232).
Information on the Expansion of E-filing and Information on Proposals for Rule Changes
Attached is a letter from Chief Administrative Judge A. Gail Prudenti with an update on the progress and anticipated future expansion of mandatory e-filing in the New York State courts. (Read letter)
Also attached are two rules proposals for public comment:
- Proposals regarding access to forensic evaluation reports in child custody cases. (Read proposal)
- Proposed amendments of 22 N.Y.C.R.R. §202.12(b) and (c)(3) and 22 N.Y.C.R.R. § 202.70(g) (Commercial Division Rule 8), requiring counsel to confer prior to the preliminary conference in cases reasonably likely to involve electronic discovery. (Read proposal)
Comments on both proposals are due no later than Friday, March 8, 2013.
Program on issues related to Superstorm Sandy held
Thanks to presenters Eric Nowak and Soren Giselson of New Orleans and Phil Wellner of Hudson, NY and the efforts of the New Orleans Chapter of the Federal Bar Association (FBA), the Federal Litigation Section of the FBA, the Southern District of New York Chapter of the FBA and the Eastern District of New York Chapter of the FBA, the Bronx County Bar Association, the Network of Bar Leaders, and the New York State Bar Association, the program on recovery claims, actions and procedure and FEMA hazard mitigation was held on December 18th at the MetLife Building.
Click here for the archived webcast.
The Network of Bar Leaders held its Annual Legislative Forum on October 26, 2012 at New York County Lawyers' Association
Sen. Diane Savino, City Council members Daniel Garodnick and Julissa Ferreras, and Assemblyman Guillermo Linares discuss regulations affecting gypsy cabs, the city's restaurant grading system, food carts, proposed real property developments in Queens and other issues that affect lawyers, their clients and NY businesses with representatives from Network's member bar associations.
City Council members Daniel Garodnick and Julissa Ferreras at the Network's Annual Legislative Forum.
Network's Legislative Event was organized by Jeff Kurzon, Daniel Marotta and Taa Grays and provided bar association representatives the opportunity to dialogue with legislators on issues of concern to them and their clients. Assemblyman Herman D. Farrell, Jr. and Congressman Jerrold Nadler also attended.
The Funding Crisis and the Sequestration Process and Its Impact on the American Justice System
Message from Ronald Kennedy, Director of NYSBA’s Department of Governmental Relations
I am writing to alert you to an issue that is of critical importance to practicing lawyers, the legal community and every Bar Association. Unless Congress acts, “sequestration” will take effect on January 2, 2013 by operation of law. Should it take place, it will be very damaging to the federal courts and civil legal services programs. It is up to us as Bar Leaders to do what we can to prevent our justice system from being severely undercut.
Network's Annual Dinner for Bar Presidents
On September 19, 2012, the Hon. Jonathan Lippman addressed the bar leaders at Network's annual dinner for the Presidents of its member organizations. Judge Lippman spoke about the importance of pro bono service, the new pro bono service requirements for bar admission, and ways to bridge the justice gap. Judge Lippman asked the bars to be advocates for the Judiciary before the Legislature and addressed various concerns raised by the bar leaders during the discussion period. A delightful dinner followed.
New York State Bar Association
Nominate deserving colleagues for State Bar awards!
The following committees have issued a call for award nominations:
- Committee on Diversity and Inclusion
- Committee on Women in the Law
- The Committee on Attorney Professionalism
- New York State Conference of Bar Leaders Committee on Civil Rights
For a complete listing or to submit nominations for Awards and Competitions go to www.nysba.org.