REPORTS 2020
Report of the Committee on Cannabis Law
Approved by the House of Delegates on February 3, 2020
REPORTS 2019
Report of the Task Force on the Parole System
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 2, 2019
Report of the Working Group on Attorney Mental Health
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 2, 2019
Report of the Committee on Immigration Representation
Approved by the House of Delegates on June 15, 2019
Report of the Committee on Attorney Professionalism
Approve by the House of Delegates on April 13, 2019
Report of the Task Force on the Evaluation of Candidates for Election to Judicial Office
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 13, 2019
Report of the Task Force on Incarceration Release Planning and Programs
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 13, 2019
Report of the Task Force on School to Prison Pipeline
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 13, 2019
Report on the Task Force on Wrongful Convictions
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 13, 2019
Report of the Working Group on Judiciary Law §470
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 18, 2019
Reports 2018
Report on Local and State Government Law Section Model Pro Bono Policy for Attorney Employees of Local Governments and Local Government Agencies
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 3, 2018
Jones Act Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on June 16, 2018
Report from the Criminal Justice Section on Federal Sealing
Approved by the House of Delegates on June 16, 2018
International Section, Latin
American Council Best Practice Guidelines
Approved by the NYSBA Executive
Committee, April 2018
Report from the Criminal Justice Section on Town and Village Justice Courts
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 14, 2018
Report from the Committee on Families and the Law
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 14, 2018
Report from the NYSBA/WBASNY Domestic Violence Initiative
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 26, 2018
Report from the Committee on immigration Representation on Immigration and Customs Enforcement Arrests in
Courthouses
Approved by the Executive Committee on January 26, 2018
REPORTS 2017
Report from the Tax Section on Driver's License Suspension Program
Approved by the Executive Committee on November 3, 2017
Report from the Commercial and Federal Litigation Section's Task Force on Women's Initiatives
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 4, 2017
Report from the Trusts and Estates Law Section on the Uniform Trust Code
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 4, 2017
Report of New York County Lawyers Association Task Force on On-Line Legal Providers Regarding On-Line Legal Documents
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 4, 2017
Committee on the New York State Constitution Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on June 17, 2017
Report of the Continuing Legal Education Committee
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 27, 2017
The Judiciary Article of the New York State Constitution Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 27, 2017
REPORTS 2016
Committee on the New York State Constitution Environmental Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 5, 2016.
Limited Scope Representation Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 5, 2016.
Model Pro Bono Policy for Government Attorneys
Approved by the House of Delegates on June 18, 2016.
Constitutional Home Rule Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on April 2, 2016.
Special Committee on Re-Entry Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 29, 2016.
Working Group on Power of Attorney Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 29, 2016.
Reports 2015
Committee on the New York State Constitution Report
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 7, 2015.
Women in the Law Paid Leave Report with Resolution
Approved by the House of Delegates on November 7, 2015.
Discovery in Disciplinary Proceedings Report
Approved by the Executive Committee on July 23, 2015.
Task Force on Gun Violence
Approved by the House of Delegates on March 28, 2015.
Criminal Discovery
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 30, 2015.
Committee on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar - Report on the Uniform Bar Exam
Approved by the House of Delegates on January 30, 2015.
Reports 2014
Appellate Division Rules
In May 2012, the
Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction began an ambitious project to
examine the rules of practice of the four Departments of the Appellate Division
and to make recommendations about the extent to which they can be made uniform
for the benefit of both the courts and practicing attorneys. The resulting
report, adopted by the Executive Committee on April 4, 2014, covers in detail
three areas: 1) a significant number of rules that are essentially harmonious and
can be made uniform with little or no difficulty; 2) some rules that are not
now harmonious but can be made uniform without undue adverse effects on the
internal operations of the different Departments; 3) a body of rules that will be difficult to harmonize
without significant changes in the deeply ingrained internal operations of one
or more of the courts.
The Committee
recognized from the outset that some of the rules of each Department reflect
deeply embedded procedures, culture, and history, but also believed a
significant body of rules can be made uniform without adversely affecting the
courts’ operations, benefiting practicing attorneys by minimizing traps for the
unwary and minimizing the need for the courts to address corrective motions.
The Committee
believes that unifying a substantial body of appellate practice rules will also
facilitate state-wide electronic filing, which may be implemented in the future.
Judicial Diversity
Approved by the Executive Committee on September 17, 2014.
Reports 2013
Human Trafficking
Publicized arrests and prosecutions in Utica, New York City, White Plains, Yonkers, Newburgh, Massena, Rexford, Henrietta, Pound Ridge, Syracuse, Stony Brook, Montebello, Amherst, Lancaster and Orchard Park show that the human trafficking occurs in large and small cities, across state lines and between New York and Canada – all over the State of New York. Extant national statistics support the trend in New York. Shockingly, children are thought to comprise roughly one-half of the victims of this $32 billion “industry.”
Family Court
In 2010, the Task Force on Family Court was created to examine the challenges that Family Court faces and recommend solutions that would better enable the Court to meet the demands placed upon it. The Task Force report, approved by the House of Delegates
in January 2013, contains 26 recommendations, which address resources for Family Court; resources for litigants; technology needs; and court operations. Chief among these recommendations is the need for additional Family Court judges.
Solitary Confinement in New York State
Prepared by the Committee on Civil Rights, this report addresses the increasing use (and overuse) of solitary confinement within New York prisons, where in 2012 alone, one out of every four people incarcerated were subjected to extreme isolation – the
vast majority for non-violent offenses. The report examines the history of solitary confinement, its detrimental results on inmates and provides recommendations that it be profoundly restricted.
Voter Participation
Voting is one of our most fundamental rights. Yet, in New York State, voter participation is ranked among the lowest in the Nation. The Special Committee on Voter Participation was appointed to consider possible reforms to remove obstacles to registration
and voting and to encourage participation while maintaining the integrity of the process. This report recommends a broad spectrum of changes that, if implemented, could have a significant impact on voter participation, bringing New York’s rates of registration
and participation up to levels of which New Yorkers can and should be proud.
RePorts 2012
Court Funding Report
The impact of reductions in funding for New York State courts during the 2011-2012 year has been substantially harmful and far-reaching. Recent reductions in state court funding have been quite costly. Although state fiscal constraints are very real
in this economy, additional and imminent investment in the state court system is necessary. It is necessary to restore a sense of confidence in the judicial system, which ultimately is priceless.
Discovery and Case Management in Federal Litigation
Approved by the House of Delegates June 23, 2012.
Electronic Filing in New York State Courts
Approved by the Executive Committee on March 30, 2012.
Immigration Representation
The increase in immigration enforcement, coupled with the acute shortage of competent immigration attorneys, has resulted in a crisis in immigration representation. This report addresses some of the complex issues involved in providing competent immigration
representation, studies the challenges presently facing respondents, attorneys and the courts, and suggests some possible solutions.The report also contains proposed standards for attorneys and accredited representatives who provide immigration representation.
Nonlawyer Ownership Report
The Task Force on Nonlawyer Ownership was appointed to consider the nonlawyer ownership proposals, evaluate whether the proposals would advance the profession’s core values of loyalty, independence and confidentiality. The Task Force completed its report
concluding that there has not been a sufficient demonstration that nonlawyer ownership is in the best interest of clients and society and does not undermine or dilute the integrity of the legal profession. The report was approved by the House of Delegates
on November 17, 2012.
Sealing Records of Conviction
Sealing a person’s criminal record requires balancing competing interests. On the one hand, a person with a criminal record has, after a suitable period of lawful living and rehabilitation, an interest in pursuing employment, licensing, housing, education,
and other benefits without the stigma of a prior arrest or conviction. Report approved by the House of Delegates January 27, 2012; amended in November 2016.
Veterans Report
The report of the Special Committee on Veterans makes a number of recommendations to address the legal needs of veterans, including the establishment of specialized Veterans’ Courts, training for lawyers with respect to the legal needs of veterans, and
the establishment of panels of lawyers to whom veterans can be referred for legal assistance. This report was approved by the House of Delegates on November 17, 2012.
Reports 2011
Future of the Legal Profession
The rapid pace of change in the legal profession, accelerated in part by the recent national economic downturn, prompted New York State Bar Association President Stephen Younger to form a task force to examine issues concerning the future of the profession.
This report addresses the following: (1) developments in the economics, structure, and billing practices of private law firms; (2) changes in the model for educating and training new lawyers; (3) the pressures on lawyers seeking to find balance between
their professional and personal lives; and (4) the implications of technology on the practice of law.
Government Ethics
Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates January 2011
Judicial Conduct
Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates April 2011
New York Law in International Matters
The increasingly global business community requires accurate and comprehensive information on choice of laws, procedures and legal systems to govern agreements, selection of the best forum in which to resolve their disputes, and the most efficient and
equitable means of that dispute resolution. New York, as a global financial and commercial capital, plays a critical role in all these choices.
Reports 2010
In-House Counsel
This report relates to proposed rules for licensing of in-house counsel.
Pleading Standards in Federal Litigation
The Special Committee on Standards for Pleading in Federal Litigation was established to examine and report on issues relating to standards for pleading a claim in federal litigation under the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Reports 2009
Arbitration Discovery in Domestic Commercial Cases
Approved by NYSBA Executive Committee and House of Delegates April 2009; covers guidance for arbitrators in finding the balance between fairness and efficiency; 13 pages, PDF
Courthouses
Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates June 2009
Criminal Cases - Applications for Leave to Appeal in the New York Court of Appeals
Recommendations of the Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction on changing the criminal leave application procedure in the New York Court of Appeals
Global Warming
Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates April 2009
Judicial Conduct - Model Code
The Committee on Attorneys in Public Service offers a Model Code of Judicial Conduct for State Administrative Law Judges to provide a structure for regulating conduct if adopted by disciplinary agencies.
Privacy
Submitted by the Privacy Initiative Task Force for approval by the House of Delegates April 4, 2009 in Albany, New York.
Same-Sex Marriage
This report was approved by the House of Delegates of the New York State Bar Association on June 20, 2009. (180 pages, PDF)
Recommendation: The New York State Bar Association Should Endorse Marriage Legislation That Provides Full Marriage Equality to Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Couples
Solo and Small Firm Practice
Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates June 2009
Wrongful Convictions
Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates April 2009
Reports 2008
Attorney Conduct
Proposed New York Rules of Professional Conduct (Final Report, February 1, 2008). Please Note: the Association has forwarded the Proposed New York Rules of Professional Conduct, adopted by the House of Delegates on November 3, 2007, to the Appellate
Division for the court's review.
Balanced Lives in the Law
Report of the Special Committee on Balanced Lives in the Law, Approved March 7, 2008.
Civil Rights Agenda
Report of the Special Committee on Civil Rights Agenda 2008
Executive Detention
Report of the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Civil Rights, presented to the House of Delegates June 21, 2008. (Revised as of July 2008)
Reports 2007
Age Discrimination
Report and recommendations on Mandatory Retirement Practices in the Profession (PDF Format) January 2007
E-Filing
Recommendations of the Committee on E-Filing
Eminent Domain
Report of the Task Force on Eminent Domain (PDF format). In November 2005, NYSBA President A. Vincent Buzard appointed a Special Task Force on Eminent Domain to provide legal analysis and recommendations about appropriate legislative and regulatory considerations
in the practice of eminent domain law in the aftermath of the recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Kelo v. City of New London, 125 S.Ct. 2655 (2005). Both the original and the final reports of the task force are included here.
Not-for-Profit Corporations Law
Report of the Corporation Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the New York State Bar Association (PDF formet) The Committee has initiated a process of review and proposed revision of the New York Not-for-Profit Corporation Law. Initially undertaken
to conform the NPCL to the current Business Corporation Law in New York, this process presents an opportunity to revisit and improve selected provisions of the NPCL, especially in light of the dramatic changes in corporate governance throughout the sector
in response to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act - May 2007
Professional Conduct Rules
Proposed Rules of Professional Conduct as Adopted by the House of Delegates on January 26, 2007 (PDF format)
Reports 2006
Attorney Client Privilege
Report approved by the NYSBA Executive Committee March 27, 2006 (PDF format)
Attorney Conduct
Resolution Adopted November 5, 2005 to Govern Consideration of the Report of the Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct (As amended June 24, 2006)(PDF Format)
Cy Pres
Special Committee on Funding for Civil Legal Services report on Cy Pres for Civil Legal Services (PDF format) - April 1, 2006 A report and recommendations to the NYSBA House of Delegates
Lawyer Advertising
Report of the Task Force on Lawyer Advertising (PDF format)- Approved by the House of Delegates January 27, 2006
Mandated Representation
Follow-up Report of the Special Committee to Ensure Quality of Mandated Representation (PDF format) - Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates Jan. 27, 2006
Professional Conduct Rules
Proposed Rules of Professional Conduct as adopted by the House of Delegates at its November 4, 2006 meeting (PDF Format)
Public Safety
Report and Recommendations of the Special Committee on Collateral Consequences of Criminal Proceedings
Reports 2005
Eminent Domain
Resolution of Task Force on Eminent Domain (PDF format) November 2005
Mandated Representation
Special Committee to Ensure Quality of Mandated Representation - Standards for Providing Mandated Representation. Approved by the NYSBA House of Delegates April 2, 2005 (PDF format)
Reports 2004
Access to Justice
Report of the President's Committee on Access to Justice Concerning Pro Bono, and actions of the House of Delegates on April 3, 2004
Jury System
Interim report of the Committee on the Jury System (PDF format) - January 26, 2004
Jury System
Second Interim Report of the Committee on the Jury System (PDF format)- March 2004
Same-Sex Couples
Report of the Special Committee to Study Issues Affecting Same-Sex Couples - 2004 (PDF)
Reports 2003
Arbitration - Revised Uniform Arbitration Act
Report on the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act (PDF format) June 2003
Association Governance
Report of the Special Committee on Association Governance (PDF format) April 2003
Middle Income Consumers
Report and Recommendations of the Commission on Providing Access to Legal Services for Middle Income Consumers (PDF Format) January 23, 2003
Multi-Jurisdictional Practice
Outline of comments and amendments submitted with respect to the report of the Special Committee on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice (PDF format) - June 5, 2003
Multi-Jurisdictional Practice
Further Report of the Special Committee on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice
Professional Responsibility - New York Code
Special Committee on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice - Proposed Amendments to the New York Code of Professional Responsibility, approved by the House of Delegates, June 21, 2003 (PDF Format)
Reports 2002
Anti-Terrorism
Report on Military Commissions (PDF format)
Anti-Terrorism
Resolution on Military Commissions (PDF format) June 22, 2002
Bar Examination
Committee on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar - Report on the Public Service Alternative Bar Exam (PDF format) A joint report with the Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
Gender Equity
Gender Equity in the Legal Profession: A Survey, Observations and Recommendations (PDF format) Presented to the House on June 22, 2002. The House unanimously approved the report, which made recommendations on gender equity in the legal profession based
on the survey responses of about 800 attorneys. The survey found that discrimination still exists in law firms, evidenced in part by unequal pay and a low percentage of women in high-level positions. The NYSBA will establish a Task Force to coordinate
diversity efforts on behalf of all attorneys, and serve as a resource to assist law firms in addressing the barriers that remain for women and minority attorneys.
Judicial Campaign Conduct
Report and resolution of Spec Committee on Judicial Campaign Conduct (PDF format) Presented to the House on June 22, 2002. The House approved the report. The committee is working with local bar associations to establish judicial campaign conduct committees
at the local level to "help ensure that campaigns for judicial office are consistent with the dignity and integrity of the legal profession."
Mediation
Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee - The Uniform Mediation Act and Mediation in New York (PDF format) November 2002
Multi-Jurisdictional Practice
Report of the Commission on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice, August 2002 (PDF Format) by the American Bar Association
Multi-Jurisdictional Practice
NYSBA Comments on the ABA's Report of the Commission on Multi-Jurisdictional Practice (PDF format) - Presented to the House on June 22, 2002. With some modifications, the report and recommendations were endorsed by the House. The Committee, chaired by
Klaus Eppler, opposed a national lawyer licensing plan, and supported a model "admission on motion" rules, similar to what already exists in New York. The report also required that lawyers who open law offices in states where they are not admitted pay
registration fees and comply with jurisdictional continuing education rules.
Reports 2001
Cameras in the Courtroom
Final Report or Special Committee on Cameras in the Courtroom (PDF format) March 31, 2001
Reports 2000
Multidisciplinary Practice (The MacCrate Report)
Preserving the Core Values of the American Legal Profession: The Place of Multidisciplinary Practice in the Law Governing Lawyers - Approved April 2000 (Please note: this is a very large file and will take some time to download.)
Reports 1999
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Bringing ADR into the New Millennium - Report on the Current Status and Direction of ADR in New York (PDF format) February 1999
