An Interview with Network Board Member and Past-President of the Dominican Bar Association Fiordaliza Rodriguez
"Race Remixed: For Many Latinos, Racial Identity Is More Culture Than Color"
New York Times, January 13, 2012, By Mireya Navarro
With 15 choices of race on the census form, more than 18 million Latinos have been checking "other," reflecting the group's diverse self-image....
NYCLA Recognizes Vision and Leadership Role of Hon. Harold Baer Jr. and Dr. Suzanne Baer by Renaming Minority Judicial Internship Program
New York, NY – September 20, 2011 – The New York County Lawyers’ Association’s (NYCLA) Summer Minority Judicial Internship Program, established by former NYCLA President and United States District Court Judge Harold Baer Jr. and his wife, Dr. Suzanne Baer, in 1989 to provide law students of color with eight-week stipended internships with state and federal judges, has been renamed “The Hon. Harold Baer Jr. and Dr. Suzanne Baer Minority Judicial Internship Program.” The NYCLA Board voted unanimously to adopt the name change on September 19 to honor the vision and leadership role of Judge Baer and his wife. In creating the program, the Baers understood that a successful legal career is obtained through mentor relationships, training, hands-on experience and access to meaningful assignments. More than 175 law students of color have participated in the program. The program is administered by NYCLA’s Minorities and the Law Committee, which is co-chaired by Asha Smith, a former intern in the program, and Seth Steed. In the words of NYCLA Past President Catherine A. Christian, “Naming the program after Judge Baer and Dr. Baer is a perfect way to officially recognize their public service commitment and tremendous leadership in increasing diversity in the legal profession.”
CONTACT: Anita Aboulafia 212 267-6646 ext. 225 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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
Brandon J. Vogel
Media Writer
New York State Bar Association
One Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
Phone (518) 487-5535
Fax (518) 463-4276
2010 Bar Leaders Innovation Awards
On behalf of the NYSCBL Executive Council, congratulations to the winners of the 2010 Bar Leaders Innovation Awards, presented last month at the Hilton New York Hotel during the Bar Leaders Breakfast on January 28, 2011:
Muslim Bar Association of New York
Monroe County Bar Association
Nassau County Bar Association
Go to www.nyscbl.org to view photos, and click "Conference of Bar Leaders Innovation Awards" in the left-hand column to see each association's detailed program description. Winners from the 2009 awards, and their winning program descriptions, are also viewable.