In response to
the ever-growing need to address the interests of commercial litigators in
their day-to-day practice as well as the business community at large, in 2012 the
Commercial and Federal Litigation Section (the “Section”) established a committee
to handle the Section’s legislative initiatives both at the state and federal
levels. Led by former Section Chair
Vincent J. Syracuse of Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt LLP, the
Section’s Committee on Legislative and Judicial Initiatives (the “Committee”) works
to promote legislative proposals that the Section believes are important to
maintain New York’s premiere place as the forum of choice for the resolution of
business disputes.
Initially, the
Committee and the Section adopted the recommendations made in the report that
was issued in June 2012 by the Chief Judge’s Task Force on Commercial
Litigation in the 21st Century (the “Task Force”). The Task Force made several recommendations designed
to help facilitate the continued growth of commercial litigation in the state
courts including suggestions for case docket reform, judicial support and
engagement, procedural reforms, early case resolution and procedures to support
international arbitration.
In addition to
supporting the Task Force, as well as the permanent Commercial Division
Advisory Council (which was established by the Chief Judge in early 2013 to
implement the Task Force’s recommendations), both the Committee and the Section
have advocated for an increased budget for the judiciary which would allow for
greater support and expansion of the Commercial Division. The Committee has also supported amendments
to both state and federal procedural rules that will help maintain New York’s
place as the premiere commercial litigation forum. Lastly, the Committee has advocated for
judicial reforms including legislation to amend the New York State Constitution
that would increase the mandatory retirement age for certain New York State
judges.
The Committee
hopes to be a continuous advocate on behalf of the Section in its continuing
support of the commercial litigation bar in New York.
The Committee on Legislative and Judicial Initiatives is chaired
by Vincent J. Syracuse, Tannenbaum Helpern Syracuse & Hirschtritt
LLP, New York City.
Join the
Committee
Committee Roster
