May is Mental Health Month
In Crisis, call 800-273-TALK
www.nmha.org
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Welcome to the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) web site. As the largest statewide bar association dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession and in general, our mission commits us to improving the status of all women in society. WBASNY addresses complex legal issues as we advocate for change for women and children throughout the state and promote the fair and equal administration of justice.
WBASNY’s 3,800+ members hail from eighteen chapters across our great State and include individuals from all levels of both the state and federal benches, as well as prominent attorneys practicing in all areas of the law, educators and government leaders. We take great pride in the diversity and talent of our membership and our members gain invaluable professional contacts and friendships across the state.
WBASNY offers many opportunities to become involved in issues of statewide, national and international significance to women in general, and to women attorneys in particular. WBASNY’s thirty eight committees include Access to Justice, Children’s Rights, Domestic Violence, Diversity, Equal Opportunity in the Profession, International Women’s Rights, Judiciary and the Courts, Health Issues and Matrimonial and Family Law, to name just a few. WBASNY’s Legislative Committee, one of our most active Committees, along with the help of our wonderful Legislative Consultant, works hard to keep WBASNY’s voice loud and strong in the halls of the Legislative building.
WBASNY is also an accredited Continuing Legal Education provider. Our eighteen chapters offer comprehensive and affordable CLE courses throughout the year, and our members can take advantage of programs given across the entire state through our online course provider.
If you are not already a member, I encourage you to join; simply click on our membership page for an application. And even if you are already a member, you should take a moment to peruse the website to learn what new and interesting issues your WBASNY Board is voting on, or to check out the calendar of events to see what terrific programs and events our chapters are hosting across the State. I look forward to great year and welcome your ideas, suggestions and comments at info@wbasny.org.
Maria T. Cortese
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Below is a summary of recent activity on legislation of interest to WBASNY:
WBASNY’s Legislative Committee met during the November Board Meeting and invited guest speakers to discuss the issues that they would be working on during the upcoming 2008 legislative session that will begin in January.
One speaker, Jonathan Gradess, Executive Director of the New York State Defender's Association, discussed the issue of the need for the creation of a statewide indigent defense system. The Kaye Commission report on indigent defense had recommended such a system and the Defender’s Association will be working toward the creation of such a system next session. Gradess asked if WBASNY would support this effort by joining their campaign. The Legislative Committee recommended and Board approved joining the campaign for Public Funding for Defense Services.
Staff from Family Planning Advocates, Carol Blowers, Vice President of Government Affairs, and staff attorney, Ronnie Pawelko, provided an overview of the reproductive rights laws in New York State. In addition, they discussed legislation that was introduced last session by Governor Spitzer (S.5829) to update New York’s abortion laws and establish a fundamental, statutory right to privacy in making personal reproductive decisions. WBASNY supports this legislation.
In addition, the Committee recommended to the Board that WBASNY support no-fault divorce legislation introduced by Assemblymember Adam Bradley (A.9398-A). The Board voted to support the legislation.
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The WBASNY Professional Ethics Committee has a hotline. If you are a WBASNY member and have a question regarding ethical issues, you can call (914) 472-9517 after 6:00 p.m. (weekdays). Although legal advice cannot be offered, you can be guided in the right direction as to the applicable disciplinary rules, case law and ethics resources.
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Member Profile Pages
WBASNY is pleased to offer its members the opportunity to show their support of this great association by placing a personal profile page on the WBASNY website. All members are invited to take advantage of this member-only benefit. The WBASNY website is a resource for visitors seeking lawyer referrals and can be an invaluable marketing tool for your business. The website provides an effective way to maximize your exposure to potential clients and increase your ability for potential clients to find you in a search engine.
Your member profile page will include your name, business address, telephone and fax numbers, e-mail and website addresses, photograph and brief professional biography of no more than five hundred (500) words. All profiles are referenced by name, practice area, county and law firm.
Please download the form below and return it with your biography and photograph (computer images are accepted in bitmap or J-PEG), along with your check made payable to WBASNY to:
WBASNY Webmaster
Post Office Box 936
Planetarium Station
New York, NY 10024-0546
For more information, contact WBASNY headquarters at (212) 362-4445 or by e-mail at info@wbasny.org.
To view our member pages, click on the "Attorney Search" button on the home page.
Download Member Profile Form
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