Judicial Section

Section Benefits

A combination of valuable benefits – exclusive for New York State Bar Association Judicial Section members – keep you up-to-date on the growing number of issues and concerns that face the judicial system and the legal profession.

Just for Members

FREE CLE
As an exclusive benefit for each and every member of the Judicial Section, NYSBA’s CLE Department offers THREE FREE ONLINE CLE programs on an annual basis. Chosing from NYSBA CLE’s online video and audio catalog makes your programs of choice instantly accessible to you, from the comfort of your chambers or home computer.  All online course materials are provided in digital form:  www.nysba.org/cle-programs/.

JUDICIAL SECTION ONLINE COMMUNITY
The Judicial Section now offers a private online professional community—for Judicial Section members only!  Connect with fellow members on the Judicial Section Community, featuring wide-ranging legal discussion topics, document library, and searchable member directory.
FAQ’s and Video Tutorial  

ADDITIONAL MEMBER BENEFITS

• The members-only newsletter, “Judicial Dispatch,” exclusively for Judicial Section members, written by and for judges
• A discount to attend the Judicial Section Annual Meeting luncheon
• Unparalleled camaraderie among our State’s guardians of the law

REWARDING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH

We offer you excellent ways to enhance your knowledge and expertise by participating in Section activities, such as the Judicial Section luncheon held each year in conjunction with NYSBA’s Annual Meeting. The luncheon consists of a program featuring a prominent member of either the New York State government, the judiciary, or another speaker of interest to the judiciary on a current topic. Section members are invited to attend this program at discounted rates.

The Judicial Section also provides forums for representatives of the Council of Judicial Associations to address issues relating to legislation and court procedure. These forums take place five times per year. The activities provide your representatives with valuable ways to network with other judges from across the state, work with those colleagues who share your interests, and share information on effective advocacy techniques and efficient case management.

Legislative Priorities

• 2016 NYSBA Legislative Priorities

Legal Links

Center for Court Innovation
National Center For State Courts

NEW YORK STATE

• Committee on Open Government
• NYS Administrative Codes, Rules & Regulations
• NYS Court System Web Site
  • Codes & Statutes
  • Judicial Commission on Justice for Children
  • Judicial Decisions – NYS Law Reporting Bureau
  • Judicial Directory
  • Judicial Institute
  • Law Reporting Bureau
  • Municipal Governments & Agencies
• NYS Government Web Site
• NY Laws
• NYS Legislature | locate Bill Text, Summaries, Sponsor Memos, Floor Votes
  • NYS Assembly – Bill Search
  • NYS Senate
• Research & Reports
  • NYS Library
  • Official Reports Style Manuals

ETHICS

• NYS Unified Court System
  • Judicial Ethics Opinions
  • Judicial Campaign Ethics Center
  • Court System’s Ethics Commission
  • Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics
  • Judicial Campaign Ethics Center
  • Ethics Commission
  • New York State Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Opinions
• NYSBA
  • Code of Judicial Conduct
• NYS Commission on Public Integrity
• NYS Commission on Judicial Conduct
• New York Codes, Rules and Regulations

FEDERAL

• Eastern District Courts, NY State
• Northern District Courts, NY State
• Southern District Courts, NY State
• Western District Courts, NY State
• Case Law
• Law Library of Congress Resources
• Search the U.S. Code
• U.S. Bills Search by Bill Text / Sponsor (Library of Congress)
• Code of Federal Regulations
• Judicial Branch – U.S. Government Printing Office
• Federal Laws and Regulations (USA.gov)
• U.S. Courts

Judicial Nominations

Resources for Local and County Bar Associations

The Task Force on the Evaluation of Candidates for Election to Judicial Office was appointed in 2018 to review the existing methods of vetting judicial candidates and propose best practices, guidelines and minimum standards for review of candidates.  The report and recommendations of the Task Force were adopted at the April 13, 2019 meeting of the NYSBA House of Delegates in Albany.

Link to Report and Recommendations of the Task Force on the Evaluation of Candidates for Election to Judicial Office:/

The Task Force, chaired by Robert L. Haig and Hon. Susan Phillips Read, found that systems utilized by bar associations vary from county to county, and it concluded that a one-size-fits-all approach for screening would not work for New York State. Where existing reviews are effective, the Task Force urged their continuation; in particular, the Task Force noted that existing systems in place in New York City, on Long Island, and several upstate urban counties – which comprise over three-quarters of the state’s population – are currently well served.  For those counties not currently served by existing screening entities, the Task Force recommended the establishment of regional or district screening committees.

The Task Force developed a set of best practices to guide local bar and regional screening committees, addressing composition of the committees; use of questionnaires and the conduct of investigations; evaluation criteria; and rating and appeals processes. Several useful resources are linked below.

Complete Informational Report

Press Release: State Bar Association Approves New Measures for Evaluating Judicial Candidates

Judicial Campaign Ethics Center, including Judicial Campaign Ethics Handbook

Contact:
Thomas Richards, Esq.
Director of Public Interest and Deputy General Counsel
(518) 487-5640
trichards@nysba.org

Judicial Ethics Opinions