New York City Bar

Re-legalization of cannabis for general adult use in New York City has never been closer, but how ready is the most populous metropolitan area in the United States - and the country’s largest urban cannabis market for commercial manufacture, delivery, home cultivation and over-the-counter sale of cannabis? On November 1, 2018, the City Bar’s Drugs & the Law Committee held a panel discussion examining the legal and policy changes that will be necessary in order to make a safe and orderly transition from a criminal market to a viable regulated market. Speakers: Axel Bernabe, Assistant Counsel, Governor Cuomo for Health Steven Epstein, Founding Partner, Barket, Epstein, and Kearon LLP Jerome Levy, Partner, Duane Morris Joseph Levey, Founding Partner, Helbraun & Levey Donovan Richards, New York City Council Member Preston Niblack, New York City Deputy Comptroller for Budget Moderator: Kristin Jordan, Chair, Cannabis Practice Group, Newman Ferrara LLP

On October 22, 2018, the City Bar’s Labor & Employment Law Committee held a program on how the evolving treatment of marijuana under the law affects the workplace. Learn how legalization of medical and recreational marijuana affect rights and obligations under the ADA, FLMA, and more. Speakers: George Schwab, Kraus & Zuchlewski LLP Anne Dana, Seyfarth Shaw LLP Jay Jaffe, 1199 SEIU Moderator: Hanan Kolko, Meyer Suozzi English & Klein P.C. Sponsoring Committee: Labor & Employment Committee, Katherine Greenberg, Chair

In 1994, the UN Commission on Human Rights noted the increasing frequency of attacks on the independence of judges, lawyers, and court officials as well as the link which exists between the weakening of safeguards for these officials and human rights violations. In response, the Commission appointed a Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers to investigate and report on these attacks. The current Special Rapporteur, Professor Diego García-Sayán discussed his current role and work with attendees. This work includes his yearly report to the United Nations, examinations into judicial corruption, ideas on current international legal standards, efforts to update those standards so that they remain applicable in the face of new challenges to the legal and judicial professions, as well as both oversight and enforcement mechanisms. Panel: Diego Garcia-Sayan, UN Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges Lawyers William A. Wilson III, Chair of the Task Force on the Independence of Lawyers and Judg

Pet food is a multibillion-dollar industry and has a significant impact on our current food system. Many humans consider themselves to be “pet parents” or “pet guardians” instead of “pet owners” which may have contributed to the growth in this industry. This program reviewed federal, state and local authority to regulate pet food and the relevant statutes. The program also discussed what information is mandatory on pet food labels and whether this information is meaningful to consumers. The program also focused on recent marketing trends in the pet food industry, such as holistic, natural, and organic pet foods, and what these terms even mean in the pet food context. Recent pet food recalls, including the 2007 melamine scandal, and the impact of failures in pet food regulation on human health was also discussed. Panel: Ellen Fried, Adjunct Professor, NYU Department of Nutrition and Food Studies Mary Alestra, Assistant Attorney General, Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, NYS Attorney General’s Office Mo

Jeh Johnson served as Secretary of Homeland Security from December 2013 to January 2017. Secretary Johnson was responsible for the federal government’s response to many of our nation’s most pressing issues, including immigration; cybersecurity; Russian interference in the election; counterterrorism; natural disasters; nuclear, chemical and biological threats; and the protection of critical infrastructure and the nation’s leadership. At the City Bar's Public Affairs Luncheon on October 9, 2018, Secretary Johnson reflected on his leadership experiences and shed light on the latest headlines.

On October 4, 2018, the New York City Bar Association presented Honorary Membership to Loretta Lynch, former U.S. Attorney General and U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York. Roger Juan Maldonado, the City Bar's President, gave welcome remarks and Hon. Kiyo A. Matsumoto, United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of New York, and Chair, Honors Committee, introduced Loretta Lynch and presented her with the award.

In New York City, there are hundreds of men and women on the sex offender registry who are subject to the Sexual Assault Reform Act (SARA) residency restriction, which prevents them from living within 1,000 feet of a school. This little-known restriction has created enormous constitutional problems. Because our densely-populated city contains virtually no residences that comply with this restriction, prisons are holding these people past the length of their prison sentences if there is no SARA-compliant housing available – a time period that usually extends longer than a year. This event on September 11, 2018 addressed the history and policy behind the residency restriction, the impact of SARA on people who have committed sex offenses, and the legal challenges being made on behalf of people affected by SARA. Panelists: Michael Burke, Hodges Walsh Messemer & Burke, LLP Bill Dobbs, Publisher, Dobbs Wire, newsletter about sex offense law and policy; Advisor, Sex Offense Litigation and Policy Resource Center at

On September 4, 2018, the New York City Bar Association and the New York Law Journal co-hosted an "Evening with the Candidates" Forum for the Democratic Attorney General Primary Candidates. The candidates covered a wide range of issues, from immigration and ICE in the courts, corruption, and consumer protection, to criminal justice reform, health care, and income inequality. From left: Roger Juan Maldonado (Moderator), President, New York City Bar Association; Candidates: Leecia Eve, Vice President, Government Affairs, Verizon; Letitia James, New York City Public Advocate; Sean Patrick Maloney, U.S. Representative for New York's 18th Congressional District; and Zephyr Teachout, Associate Professor of Law, Fordham University; Susan DeSantis (Moderator), Deputy Editor-in-Chief, New York Law Journal.

City Bar Senior Policy Counsel Maria Cilenti speaks with Jen Kim, Co-Director of the Immigrant Justice Project at the City Bar Justice Center, and Caitlin Miner-Le Grand, the City Bar Justice Center’s Fragomen Fellow about immigration and the border.

Part 3: Challenges and Strategies for Low-Wage and Immigrant Workers in Reporting Harassment - Where Criminal, Administrative, and Regulatory Remedies Intersect Sexual Harassment & the Law: A Call to Action for Lawyers in the Era of #MeToo Speakers: Danielle Alvarado, Daniela Contreras, Rebecca Nathanson, Hon. Laura Safer Espinoza, Marrisa Senteno, Cristina Velez Topics: Sexual harassment in agricultural work and how to prevent What does sexual harassment look like in domestic workplaces and what rights do domestic workers have that differ from workers in other settings? What is a U visa and how may someone who has been a victim of workplace sexual harassment be eligible? Explanation of anti-retaliation provisions under New York State wage and hour law, and NYDOL’s U visa certification policy. ------------------------------- This program provided a morning plenary addressing the changing legal landscape in the wake of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements and a luncheon discussion around sexual harassment wit

Part 2: Jurisdiction in Sexual Harassment- Where Criminal, Administrative, and Regulatory Remedies Intersect Sexual Harassment & the Law: A Call to Action for Lawyers in the Era of #MeToo Panel: Christin Damiano, A.D.A. Jennifer Gaffney, Hollis V. Pfitsch, Council Member Keith Powers, Electra Yourke Questions: How should a victim of sexual harassment choose where to report? When sexual harassment is severe, it may violate criminal law, such as sexual abuse, forcible touching, and unlawful surveillance. What constitutes a violation of the NYC Human Rights Law with regards to sexual harassment in the workplace. When and how can a victim of sexual harassment report to the EEOC, and what does that process look like? Explanation of recent legislation passed by NY City Council to expand statute of limitation and jurisdiction for sexual harassment complainants. ------------------------------- This program provided a morning plenary addressing the changing legal landscape in the wake of the #MeToo and Time’s Up mo

Part 1: Introduction And Morning Plenary Sexual Harassment & the Law: A Call to Action for Lawyers in the Era of #MeToo Introduction: Roger Juan Maldonado, President, New York City Bar Association Speakers: Commissioner Carmelyn Malalis, S. Jeanine Conley, Carrie Goldberg, Andrea Johnson, Cynthia Lowen, LaDonna Powell, Elizabeth Saylor ------------------------------- This program provided a morning plenary addressing the changing legal landscape in the wake of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements and a luncheon discussion around sexual harassment within the legal profession. In addition, break-out CLE sessions covered: An Overview of Employer Best Practices for Investigating, Preventing and Addressing Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Challenges and Strategies for Low-Wage and Immigrant Workers in Reporting Harassment #MeTooAcademia: Special Considerations When Litigating Employment Discrimination Cases on Campus Jurisdiction in Sexual Harassment: Where Criminal, Administrative, and Regulatory Remedies Inte

This panel features a discussion of three developments in federal social welfare policy under the Trump administration: (1) work requirements imposed on SNAP recipients; (2) work requirements imposed on Medicaid recipients; and (3) anticipated regulatory changes to “public charge,” which would prevent non-citizens from obtaining Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status for using (or their U.S. Citizen dependents using) a broad range of government benefits and services, many of which function as work supports for low-wage workers, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and subsidized health insurance. The panel examines these reforms in the historical context of welfare reform, including its emphasis on work requirements and the exclusion of immigrants, look at the recent Executive Order and legislative proposals on work rules and discuss strategies for addressing the changes, including litigation. Speakers: Jamila Michener, Assistant Professor, Department of Government, Cornell University David A. Super, Profes

Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein gives the keynote address at the New York City Bar Association’s 7th Annual White Collar Crime Institute on May 9, 2018.

City Bar Senior Policy Counsel Maria Cilenti speaks with Vickie Neilson, Chair of the City Bar’s Immigration and Nationality Law Committee, about the immigration court system and concerns over changes in procedures that could speed up the deportation process at the expense of due process and the independence of immigration judges.

The program provides an overview of what is sometimes an intimidating process, breaks it down to basics, and provides attendees with an understanding of what is necessary to run for office in New York City. The panel covers topics ranging from evaluating for which offices you are qualified to run, the mechanics of petitioning, the administrative process of filing and defending your petitions at the Board of Elections, and an overview of why and how petitions wind up the subject of court battles. There is also information on a candidate's responsibility to comply with Campaign Finance law, and a review of best practices for setting yourself up for a successful experience with those filings. Speakers: Martin E. Connor, Private election law practitioner, 30 years in the NYS Senate, former NYS Senate Minority Leader, Chair of City Bar Election Law Committee Sarah K. Steiner, Private election law practitioner, Former Chair of City Bar Election Law Committee Douglas A. Kellner, Co-Chair, New York State Board of El

Ambassador Dani Dayan discusses the state of affairs in the Middle East and offers a review of Israel’s diplomatic, humanitarian and economic relationships in the international arena. Additionally, Ambassador Dayan addresses the subject of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and offers his observations on the issue. Ambassador Dayan represents the State of Israel to communities throughout New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Delaware. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, he is the first Hispanic Consul General of Israel in New York. The Public Affairs Luncheon Series features speakers who address matters of public interest. The luncheons provide a forum to enable members of the City Bar to network, socialize and discuss matters of interest. The luncheons are open to the public. Speaker: Ambassador Dani Dayan, Consul General of Israel in New York Sponsoring Association Committee: Senior Lawyers Committee, Barry Bloom, Chair

Adam Skaggs, the Chief Counsel of Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, speaks with Ira Feinberg, a member of the City Bar’s Executive Committee and Association Secretary, about the legal issues involved in gun control. This podcast is intended to move the conversation beyond the often misleading political and Second Amendment rhetoric surrounding gun rights to a discussion about Second Amendment law: what the Constitution and the courts actually say about these issues.

The dairy industry has made recent legal efforts to stop companies from using the terms “milk” and “cheese” for plant-based foods like soymilk and nut cheeses. The industry claims these product names mislead consumers and cash in on the reputation of animal-derived foods. Plant-based food producers disagree and have called for regulations that expressly let them use these terms for their products. Attorneys representing dairy farmers and plant-based food organizations discuss the issue at this program. Speakers: Nigel A. Barrella, Law Office of Nigel A. Barrella Lorraine Lewandrowski, Lawyer and Dairy Farmer Lori Barrett-Peterson, Chair, NYC Bar Animal Law Committee Moderator: Bari Wolf, Vernon & Ginsburg LLP Sponsoring Association Committee: Animal Law Committee, Lori Barrett-Peterson, Chair

Hear the First Lady of New York City discuss ThriveNYC, a program intended to eliminate the stigma of mental health issues and provide New Yorkers with the tools to respond to these challenges. Speaker: Chirlane McCray, First Lady of New York City Sponsoring Association Committee: New York City Affairs Committee, Jerry Goldfeder, Chair Co-Sponsoring Association Committees: Bioethical Issues Committee, Mary Beth Morrissey, Chair Disability Law Committee, John Egan, Chair Health Law Committee, Kathleen Burke, Chair Lawyer Assistance Program Committee, Hon. Linda Poust Lopez, Chair Mental Health Law Committee, Naomi Weinstein, Chair Mindfulness & Well-Being in Law Committee, Cecilia Loving, Robert Chender and Bjorn Sorenson, Co-Chairs