Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction

Purpose

  • evaluate the practices and procedures of the Court of Appeals and the Appellate Divisions;
  • hold meetings at which appellate judges and advocates speak;
  • tour the Courthouses led by the Clerk of the Court and a Justice;
  • conduct CLE programs;
  • sponsor programs with other bar associations and with other NYSBA sections;
  • submit proposals and evaluations to NYSBA Executive Committee and House of Delegates;
  • propose amicus briefs for Executive Committee consideration.

CO-ChairS

Cheryl Korman
Rivkin Radler LLP

Timothy P. Murphy
Federal Public Defender’s Office  - WDNY

Staff Liaison
Dan McMahon
NYSBA
One Elk Street
Albany, NY 12207
[email protected]
phone/fax: (518) 487-5582

MOOT COURT PROGRAM LAUNCHED FOR COURT OF APPEALS CASES

Visit the Moot Court Program page.

The Committee offers a Moot Court Program to counsel with cases in the New York Court of Appeals. Any attorney with a case in the Court of Appeals can apply and request that the Program “moot” his/her argument before a panel of 3-7 “judges,” made up of experienced appellate practitioners and former judges.  Following the simulated argument by counsel, the judges will provide the attorney with a candid evaluation, including the strengths and weaknesses of counsel’s presentation and suggestions for improvement.
 
This program will be a particular benefit to solo practitioners and counsel from small firms who may not have experience in the Court of Appeals or the opportunity to moot an appeal.  

For further details, and application forms to request a moot argument and to volunteer as a judge, click here.

NEW YORK’S APPELLATE TERMS: A MANUAL FOR PRACTITIONERS

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction is devoted to improving the practice of appellate law and appellate court operations in the State of New York and developed this Manual in mid-2014 as part of that mission. This Manual provides an overview of appeals in the Appellate Terms in the Appellate Division, First and Second Judicial Departments. We hope it will be a helpful resource for practitioners in the Appellate Terms. Click here to view and download this Manual. 

Pro Bono Appeals Program Expanded

Visit the Pro Bono Appeals Program page.

The committee provides pro bono representation in selected appeals to the Third and Fourth Departments. Previously, the program focused on family law appeals, but now the following topics are covered: education, family stability, health, housing, personal safety, public benefits, and subsistence income. If you are interested in learning more about our program, please click here for a program brochure.  For an application, please click here.

Publications

In March 2014, the committee produced a detailed report examining the rules of practice of the four Departments of the Appellate Division and made recommendations about the extent to which they can be made uniform for the benefit of both the courts and practicing attorneys. This report may be viewed here.

Leaveworthy
The committee's newsletter, Leaveworthy, is accessible at the far left column of this page or with this link: www.nysba.org/LeaveworthyNewsletter. Our newsletter addresses significant appellate practice decisions, both state and federal, that: 1) clarify the law, especially if lower courts had inconsistent rulings or interpretations on the issue, and 2) provide illumination on useful appellate practice techniques. We also plan to cover news about procedures, personnel and rules in the appellate courts.

Report on Criminal Leave Applications to the New York Court of Appeals
The committee's report recommending changes in the procedures for criminal leave applications to the New York Court of Appeals was adopted by the Association's Executive Committee in November 2009 and may be viewed here.

Report on Electronic Filing of Briefs and Record Material in Court of Appeals
The committee's September 3, 2010 report (click here  to view) discusses its views on, and the pros and cons of, an electronic filing system in the New York Court of Appeals.