Committee on Disability Rights
The Committee on Disability Rights shall consider any and all matters pertaining to legal issues affecting people with disabilities, including but not limited to (a) development, promotion, analysis and/or comment on proposed, pending or existing legislation, regulations, or governmental policies or procedures, (b) education of the legal community, government and the general public, (c) provision of forum for discussion of important public issues, and (d) involvement in law reform activities.
Committee On Diversity And Inclusion
The objectives of the Committee on Diversity and Inclusion are to promote and advance the full and equal participation of attorneys of color and other diverse attorneys in the New York State Bar Association and in all sectors and at every level of the legal profession through research, education, fostering involvement and leadership development in NYSBA and other professional activities, and to promote knowledge of and respect for the profession in communities that historically have been excluded from the practice of law.
Committee On LGBTQ People And The Law
The purpose of the committee is to promote equality in the law for LGBTQ people; eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ attorneys and litigants; promote equality of opportunity for, and increase the visibility of, contributions made by LGBTQ attorneys; and promote diversity in the bench by inclusion of all minorities, including LGBTQ people.
Elder Law & Special Needs Section
The Elder Law and Special Needs Section provides services and opportunities for involvement on issues relating to Elder Law and Special Needs Law, for members of the New York State Bar Association. Among activities, the Section presents educational programs and publishes materials on practice, procedure and developments to enhance the competence and skill of lawyers who practice in this field and improve their ability to deliver the most efficient and highest quality of services to their clients; prepare studies, analyses and recommendations to seek improvement in the law and procedure relating to elder law; and undertake projects to increase the understanding of senior citizens, their families and the general public concerning legal issues affecting the elderly.
LGBTQ Law Section
The purpose of the Section is to promote equality in the law for LGBTQ people; eliminate discrimination against LGBTQ attorneys and litigants; promote equality of opportunity for, and increase the visibility of, contributions made by LGBTQ attorneys; and promote diversity in the bench by inclusion of all minorities, including LGBTQ people.
Women In Law Section
Our mission is to advance women in the legal profession and all women under the law. Membership in our Section offers many opportunities to address the professional, legal, policy and legislative issues impacting women. You can also take advantage of educational programs (such as the annual Edith I. Spivack Symposium — WILS’ Annual Meeting CLE – and Women on the Move) and meet and network with other attorneys.
Task Force On Racial Injustice And Police Reform
The mission of the Task Force is to examine the issues contributing to police brutality and to provide recommendations to policymakers, elected officials, members of law enforcement and the judiciary to end deleterious policing practices that disproportionately impact persons of color.
Working Group On Attorney Mental Health
The evolution of legal, clinical and societal perspectives towards people with mental disabilities has led many to question the legality, efficacy and morality of screening Bar applicants for mental disability. The Working Group of Attorney Mental Health recognizes the importance of focusing on a bar candidate’s behavior and conduct to evaluate fitness to practice law and expects that to continue to be the focus of determining an applicant’s fitness to practice law. The Working Group is comprised of representatives from the Young Lawyers Section, the Committee on Disability Rights, the Lawyer Assistance Committee, and the Committee on Legal Education and Admission to the Bar.
Local Bar Associations
New York City Bar Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging