NEW YORK STATE CONFERENCE OF BAR LEADERS ANNOUNCES NEW LEADERSHIP

ALBANY – Earamichia Brown of New York (Metropolitan Transportation Authority Office of the Inspector General) today takes office as chair of the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders (NYSCBL). Brown served as vice-chair of the Conference’s Executive Council from 2008–2010. She has been a member of the NYSCBL since 2003 and is the Executive Council’s longest-participating member. She is a graduate of George Mason University and Howard University School of Law.

Karla D. Wilsey of Rochester (Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor & Wilson, LLP) will serve as vice-chair for 2010-2011. She has served on the Executive Council since 2006 and also is treasurer of the Monroe County Bar Association. She is a graduate of William Smith College and the State University of New York at Buffalo Law School.

This year’s Executive Council also will include State Bar President-elect Vincent E. Doyle, III of Buffalo (Connors & Vilardo LLP); Past Conference Chair Taa Grays of New York (MetLife); Immediate Past Conference Chair Linda J. Clark of Albany (Hiscock & Barclay, LLP); and M. Barry Levy of New York (Sharretts Paley Carter & Blauvelt PC).

Formed in 1979, the NYSCBL provides a forum to exchange information and ideas among local, specialty, minority and women’s bar leaders, as well as between the New York State Bar Association and bar leaders. The Conference is governed by an Executive Council of 13 members that includes both at-large members and representatives of each of the state's four Judicial Departments. One member of the Executive Council represents executive directors of bar associations (Chris Gray, Onondaga County Bar Association). The President-elect of the State Bar (Vincent E. Doyle, III) and a representative of the Network of Bar Leaders (Taa Grays) also serve as members.

The NYSCBL sponsors two workshops annually, presenting topics in bar association management, program ideas to engage and retain members, and current legal trends that can impact associations and their membership. The Conference’s fall program, “Leading Your Association Forward” is scheduled for October 14 and 15 at the State Bar Center in Albany. Several teleconferences are also scheduled throughout 2010–2011 for bar leaders and executive directors to discuss issues relevant to their associations.

Founded in 1876, the 77,000 member New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. The State Bar’s programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years. www.nysba.org

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Brandon J. Vogel
Media Writer
New York State Bar Association
One Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
Phone (518) 487-5535
Fax (518) 463-4276


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAVE THE DATE!!

 

On June 8, 2010, 6 - 8 pm, TD Bank and the Network of Bar Leaders will present the CLE program "Immigration Law: Hot Topics and Ethical Issues."  Location: TD Bank, 2 Wall Street, NY NY.  CLE credit pending. More information to follow.  Mark you calendars!  

Speakers:

Rio M. Guerrero, Esq.
The Guerrero Law Firm
Visit: www.guerrerolawfirm.com
Chair, Immigration and Nationality Law Committee of the Asian American Bar Association of New York
Adjunct Professor of Immigration Law, City University of New York - SPS (CUNY-SPS)
Member, Corporate Immigration Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association - NY Chapter
Member, U.S. Department of Labor Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association - NY Chapter

 

 

 

 

Notice of Job Opening

 

Director of Advocacy and Special Litigation

 

Legal Services NYC-Bronx seeks applications for the newly created leadership position of Director of Advocacy and Special Litigation. The incumbent will serve as an integral member of the senior management team of LSNYC-Bronx, which leads an already well-established, substantial program with the financial, human and other capital to be a significant organization in the Bronx and a national leader.  The Director of Advocacy and Special Litigation’s primary responsibility will be to work with the Project Director, other management and staff to develop, oversee and support new litigation and advocacy strategies and projects that build on the firm foundation of LSNYC-Bronx’s excellent provision of legal services.  The ideal candidate is experienced, innovative, energetic and passionate about expanding access to equal justice in the Bronx.  The incumbent also will have an inspirational and inclusive management style.

 

LSNYC-Bronx is a not-for-profit law firm dedicated to helping low-income residents of the Bronx protect their legal rights and improve their lives and communities, in one of the largest and poorest counties in the nation.  Our advocacy staff consists of over 50 lawyers and paralegals whose practice includes housing, family, disability, government benefits, employment, education elder, immigration, consumer and homeowner protection. LSNYC-Bronx works with other organizations and community leaders to achieve social justice for the poor and low-income communities of the Bronx.  It is part of a network of local programs that make up Legal Services NYC, the largest free civil legal services provider in the United States.

 

Requirements:

 

The successful candidate must have a vision of how a legal services organization can (1) provide high quality substantive legal services and policy advocacy that address individual and community needs and promote justice in the Bronx and (2) provide professional development to its staff that encourages excellence and creativity.  It is necessary to be an attorney licensed to practice law with a minimum of 7-10 years experience in litigation and trial experience at both the state and federal level.  Prior supervisory experience and experience with affirmative litigation, appeals and impact litigation is strongly preferred.  The candidate should have superior legal writing, litigation and advocacy skills and be able to share those skills through excellent interpersonal supervision and teaching/training.  Prior experience in the management, administration, and leadership of any legal non-profit organization is a plus.  Sensitivity and experience with low-income populations and an ethnically diverse staff and clientele are highly desirable.

 

 

Responsibilities:

 

The Director of Advocacy and Special Litigation will:

 

  • Work with the Project Director, other management and staff to develop affirmative advocacy projects, including impact litigation, appellate advocacy, group representation, legislative/administrative advocacy within the Legal Services Corporation regulations, and community education initiatives.
  • Provide leadership, innovation and support for litigation and advocacy throughout the program;
  • Provide leadership, innovation and support for the provision of professional development, mentoring and training to the advocacy staff;
  • Work with all of the Unit Legal Directors and advocacy staff to develop and implement program and individual priorities, work plans, policies and goals to insure that the advocacy and legal work being provided is of the highest quality and performed in a manner that will achieve the best possible outcomes for our clients.
  • Work with the Unit Directors in developing caseloads that ensure each advocacy staff member has a proper balance between cases involving direct service to individual clients and cases involving greater impact and benefit to the larger client population;
  • Assist the Unit Directors in reviewing all advocacy in the program on an on-going basis, including significant litigation and all major written documents, as well as coordinating moot court proceedings for appeals and trials as needed;
  • Co-counsel on complex advocacy and litigation as needed;
  • Identify program-wide and individual training needs of advocacy staff and develop strategies to address those needs;
  • Collaborate  with other providers of civil legal services both within and outside of the Legal Services NYC network on access to justice programs and activities;  
  • Work in coordination with the Project Director to write comprehensive reports for the Board of Directors and be an active participant in the production of reports, grant applications and other relevant reporting required by program funders;
  • Assume other duties as may be delegated by the Project Director.

 

The salary for the position is competitive and commensurate with experience.  Excellent medical, pre-tax flexible benefits and retirement plans along with generous annual and sick leave.

 

            To apply for the position send your resume, two (2) recent writing samples, and three (3) references to:

Steven B. Telzak, Esq.

Project Director

Legal Services NYC-Bronx

579 Courtlandt Avenue

Bronx, NY  10451-5013

 

Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted.

Please No Telephone Calls.

 

LSNYC-Bronx is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.  People of color, women, people with disabilities, gay, lesbian, and transgender people are all welcome and encouraged to apply.

 

Bar Associations and other Organizations: LSNYC-Bronx seeks and welcomes your recommendations for candidates who meet the foregoing qualifications and, in addition, request that you or your organization encourage such candidates to apply.