Albany Law School Podcast

The DEI office is crucial to Albany Law School as we look to welcome and support students of all races, cultures, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. The work this team has done and continues to do is inspiring as we commit to providing a supportive and inclusive environment for our ever growing student population.

We welcome two members of The Albany Law School Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion team as we discuss DEI initiatives on campus like our 3rd annual Diversity Week! Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion Bria Barnes and the Coordinator of Student Programs, Owen Collier.

Instagram: albanylaw_dei

Email: bbarn@albanylaw.edu

On March 27, Albany Law School celebrated the 30th Anniversary of Kate Stoneman Day! This tradition celebrates women in the law in honor of the law school’s first female graduate, Kate Stoneman, Class of 1898. Albany Law School's prestigious Stoneman Awards are presented to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to seeking change and expanding opportunities for women within the legal profession. Albany Law School’s Kate Stoneman Honorary Committee is proud to honor Verna L. Williams the CEO of Equal Justice Works, with this year’s Miriam M. Netter '72 Kate Stoneman Award. Additionally, The Honorable Llinét Beltré Rosado ’97—NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department, and advocate for women and girls to pursue legal careers as well as Prof. Laurie Shanks, emeriti professor at Albany Law School and luminary in the field of criminal defense. Prof. Laurie Shanks - 14:11 The Honorable Llinét Beltré Rosado ’97 - 32:17 Verna L. Williams the CEO of Equal Justice Works - 50:15

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted the third and final program in the series, Transcending Gender, Sex, and the Law, on December 7, 2023. In this program, panelist discussed the future of legal rights and protections for transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex (TGNCI) people in New York State, including potential statutory reforms, regulatory reforms, and litigation that may impact rights and protections. Panelists also discussed lessons learned from other states and the role of New York State government and the broader legal community in upholding legal for TGNCI people.

Participants:

Prof. Ava Ayers (moderator) – Albany Law School

Allie Bohm – New York Civil Liberties Union

Shain Filcher – LGBT Bar Association of Greater NY

Faris Ilyas – The NEW Pride Agenda

Melissa Sklarz – Equality New York

Hon. Seth M. Marnin (closing remarks) – New York State Court of Claims

This series was presented with support from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Albany Law School.

Legal experts and government officials discussed the possibilities and challenges of implementing statewide sustainable development initiatives at the municipal level during the annual Edwin L. Crawford Program on Municipal Law at Albany Law School on Friday, November 17, 2023. The program, hosted by the Government Law Center at Albany Law School, examined how state initiatives impact local governments, the role of local governments in implementing them, existing sustainability initiatives in municipalities across the state, and the future of local action around sustainable development.

The program included a keynote address by Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA). Two panel discussions addressed the role of local government in building decarbonization and investing in renewable energy, respectively.

Panelists included:

• Elizabeth Bough Martin — Mayor of the Village of Chittenango, New York

• Susanne DesRoches — Vice President, Clean and Resilient Buildings, NYSERDA

• Malak Nassereddine — Senior Manager, New York Utility and Regulatory Policy, Building Decarbonization Coalition

• Niki Armacost — Mayor of the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson, New York

• Anthony Fiore — Chief Program Officer, NYSERDA

• Madison Hertzog — New York City Mayor's Office of Climate and Environmental Justice

Panel moderators included:

• Prof. Keith Hirokawa — Distinguished Professor of Law, Albany Law School

• Javid Afzali ’12 — Partner, Harris Beach, PLLC

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted the second of three programs in the series, Transcending Gender, Sex, and the Law, on November 9, 2023. In this program, panelists discussed some of the many challenges that transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex youth and families encounter in New York State, the myriad ways in which the legal community, advocacy groups, and state government have worked to address these challenges, and remaining needs of TGNCI youth and families. Topics discussed include health care decision making and informed consent for minors, access to education free from discrimination and harassment, name and gender-marker changes on identity documents, custody issues involving parents of transgender youth, and more.

Participants:

Bria Brown-King – interACT Advocates for Youth

Lisa Campo-Engelstein – Institute for Bioethics & Health Humanities, University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston

Julius Faulkner – In Our Own Voices

Bobby Hodgson – New York Civil Liberties Union

Joe Williams ’15 – Copps DiPaola Silverman

Mary Ann Krisa, II, ’19 (moderator) – New York State Unified Court System, Appellate Division, Fourth Department

Judges, journalists, attorneys, and law enforcement officials discussed the rights, responsibilities, and liability of the media, courts, and law enforcement in a fictional criminal trial during the Fair Trial/Free Press Conference: Gag Orders, Anonymous Juries, and the Media, on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Albany Law School.

The program explored the legal, political, and ethical issues that could arise in a hypothetical scenario in which a fictional gubernatorial candidate was indicted on federal financial fraud charges and a turbulent trial ensued. Panelists discussed the interplay of the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial and First Amendment rights to attend and report on trials, including social media, gag orders, anonymous juries, police conduct, and protection of the press and its sources. The full scenario is here: https://www.albanylaw.edu/media/20391/download

Panelists included:
•    Rosemary Armao — Investigative reporter, news editor, and Adjunct Professor at the SUNY University at Albany
•    Martin Bell, Esq. — Partner at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP and former Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York
•    Natalie Brocklebank, Esq. — Deputy Director of the New York State Defenders Association
•    John M. Czajka, Esq. ’04 — Division Counsel for the New York State Police
•    Hon. Mae D’Agostino — United States District Judge for the Northern District of New York
•    Carla DiRienzo  — New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Field Command Office
•    John J. Flynn, Esq. — Erie County District Attorney and President of the District Attorneys' Association of the State of New York
•    Prof. Roy Gutterman — Director of the Tully Center for Free Speech and Professor of Communications, Magazine, News, and Digital Journalism at the Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications
•    Mark Mahoney —Journalist and Editorial Page Editor at the Schenectady Gazette

The discussion was moderated by:
•    Hon. Albert Rosenblatt – Retired Judge on the New York Court of Appeals
•    Rex Smith – Former Editor of the Albany Times-Union

The program was presented by the Government Law Center at Albany Law School and the New York Fair Trial/Free Press Conference.

Jane M. Spinak, the Edward Ross Aranow Clinical Professor Emerita of Law at Columbia Law School delivered the 9th annual Katheryn D. Katz ’70 Memorial Lecture on Wednesday, November 8, 2023 at 5:30 p.m.

Professor Spinak is a renowned advocate for children’s welfare, family rights and juvenile justice. She presented the lecture titled The End of Family Court.

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted the first of three programs in the series, Transcending Gender, Sex, and the Law, on October 26, 2023. In this program, panelists discussed some of the many challenges that transgender, gender non-conforming, and intersex adults encounter in New York State, the myriad ways in which the legal community, advocacy groups, and state government have worked to address these challenges, and potential strategies for the future.

Participants:

Jillian T. Weiss, Esq. – Law Office of Jillian T. Weiss

Kym Dorsey – S.T.Y.L.E. (Self Turnaround Your Living Environment) and Gender Equality New York

Ezra Cukor – Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund

Charlie Arrowood – Richard C. Failla LGBTQ Commission of the New York Courts and Gender Equality New York

Dena DeFazio ’18 – Barclay Damon and New York State Bar Association, Committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Chel Miller (moderator) – Government Law Center at Albany Law School

In honor of Domestic Violence Month, the Government Law Center and Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Albany Law School and community partners co-hosted “Cultural Responsiveness in Domestic Violence Services.” Panelists discussed the role of culture in violence prevention, how victims experience abuse in culturally specific ways, and strategies to practice cultural responsiveness and cultural humility in domestic violence services. Participants: Norina Melita, Esq., as emcee Prof. Jaya Connors, Director of the Field Placement Clinic at Albany Law School, former Director of the Family Violence Litigation Clinic Somaia Sharif Zada, Afghan attorney refugee, part of the Unified Court System’s Judges for Career Opportunities for Refugees (J-COR) program Demekia Santana, Advocate and Assistant Program Director, Catholic Charities of Fulton & Montgomery Counties, Montgomery County Domestic Violence & Crime Victim Services Anna Breitegger ’24, J.D. Candidate and Co-Chair of the Women’s Law Caucus at Albany Law School Hon. Lisa M. Fisher, Justice of the Appellate Division, Third Department, as moderator Elizabeth Cronin, Esq., Director of the NYS Office for Victim Services Lindsey Crusan-Muse, Director of St. Peter’s Crime Victim Services for St. Peter’s Health Partners Remla Parthasarathy, Managing Attorney for Crime Victims at Empire Justice Center and Project Leader for the Crime Victims Legal Network William Rivera, Crisis Intervention Director for Opportunities for Otsego, as moderator Keri Boedigheimer, Rensselaer County Domestic Violence Courts Resource Coordinator Hon. Esther M. Morgenstern, Justice of the Supreme Court, Kings County, National Mentor Court for IDV Hon. Brian D. Burns, Justice of the Supreme Court, Otsego County IDV Hon. Rebecca A. Slezak, Justice of the Supreme Court, Montgomery County IDV, as moderator Partners/Presented By: Montgomery County Bar Association Women’s Leadership Initiative at Albany Law School Women’s Law Caucus at Albany Law School Government Law Center at Albany Law School Third Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee Fourth Judicial District Gender Fairness Committee National Association of Women Judges, New York Chapter New York State Bar Association, Women in Law Section The Capital District Women’s Bar Association Capital District Black and Hispanic Bar Association Albany County Bar Association Adirondack Women’s Bar Association Schenectady County Bar Association Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York The Legal Project Vella Carbone & Vinson, LLP Copps DiPaola Silverman, PLLC

Albany Law School Professor Jonathan Rosenbloom, recently released his new book, Remarkable Cities and the Security and Sovereignty of Food and Nutrition: 41 Ways to Regenerate the Local Food System.

The environment, climate, and society are rapidly changing. However, government regulations for land utilization and urban expansion lag behind. This powerful book delves into how local governments and communities can proactively transform zoning and development codes to effectively respond to changes by embracing a self-sustaining, local food and nutrition system that is accessible and equitable. The book provides dozens of best practice recommendations, supported by dozens of enacted ordinances.

Listen as Prof. Rosenbloom speaks about his recommendations and shares how we can rethink the role of development and how communities can grow while fostering a strong, inclusive, affordable, accessible, and healthy food system.

Albany Law School’s President and Dean Cinnamon P. Carlarne, a leading international expert in environmental and climate change law policy, also joined the conversation as well as some other special guests offering tributes throughout the event.

Event photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720312032590

About the Book

This book, the second in a under the Sustainability Development Code project, produced by Prof. Jonathan Rosenbloom and the Environmental Law Institute, seeks to share different ways to jumpstart a move toward healthier, more equitable, and more environmentally-friendly communities. The book examines ways local governments regulate development and how that impacts the food system and offers 41 recommendations to amend development codes to increase food and nutrition security and sovereignty and create healthier communities.

A full description of the book is here.

The Albany Law Review and Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted a panel discussion exploring judicial selection methods for state high courts employed across the nation. Panelists discussed how judicial selection methods can affect judicial independence, accountability, diversity, and public confidence. Panelists also discussed issues that can arise during the selection process and potential solutions to address these issues. The panel took place via Zoom on October 10, 2023.

Participants:

Hon. Leslie E. Stein (ret.) ’81 (moderator) — Director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School and former Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals

John F. Kowal — Vice President of Program Initiatives at the Brennan Center for Justice

Prof. Chad Oldfather — Professor of Law at Marquette University Law School

Prof. Noah Rosenblum — Assistant Professor of Law at the New York University School of Law

David J. Sachar — Director of the Center for Judicial Ethics at the National Center for State Courts

Jonas Caballero ‘24 is doing incredibly important, difficult, and necessary work helping incarcerated individuals. He speaks in-depth about it on this week’s podcast.

For those who are sensitive to the topics, there is discussion about rape and sexual abuse in this episode.

Jonas recently went to Washington to be part of a Congressional Briefing regarding the 20th anniversary of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA).  He is also on the Board of Directors and the Survivor Council for Just Detention International.

While the work is draining and tough, he does find time to spread joy. Most notably, he has helped bring therapy dogs to help Albany Law students through finals for years now!

Jonas Caballero - President of 1L Class, Candid Leader: https://soundcloud.com/user-952955809-873766748/jonas-caballero-25-president-of-1l-class-candid-leader

Students Gain Real-World Courtroom Experience Through Unique Opportunity with United States District Court, Federal Bar Association: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/students-gain-real-world-courtroom-experience-through-unique-opportunity-united-states
Therapy Dogs at Albany Law: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307320426

Marie-Therese Witte ‘24 is leading the oldest student-led law review in the nation. As you might imagine, the Albany Law Review has quite an interesting history. When it began, it also served as a news source for campus happenings and updates. It was decades before the internet, after all.

Witte, a former Latin and Spanish teacher, is grateful to be part of the community as a non-traditional student and is taking advantage of many aspects of the student experience.

The Albany Law Review is a quarterly law review edited by students at Albany Law School. The Albany Law Review is one of three student-edited law journals published by the school.

Albany Law Review: https://www.albanylawreview.org/

Demystifying the Bluebook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hLTq2jYLc

Albany Law School's 19th President and Dean, Cinnamon P. Carlarne, highlighted Reunion 2023 with her first State of the School address on Friday, September 29.

"Albany Law School is stronger than ever and poised to continue building on its existing strengths. I am proud and honored to get to be a part of this community," she said.

The speech focused on law school's achievements over the past 12 months including 52,000+ hours of pro bono work by students, the school's top national ranking in preparing Government leaders, record alumni giving and engagement, and the institution's first steps in adopting a new strategic plan.

Presented by the National Alumni Association, and celebrating alumni and friends for their dedication to Albany Law School.

The 2023 Honorees are:

Distinguished Alumni Award

Robert L. Capers ’96

Donald D. DeAngelis ’60 Excellence in Alumni Service Award

William W. Pulos ’80

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Mara D. Afzali ’17

Humanitarian Achievement Award

Peter J. Glennon, Esq. ’04

Trustees’ Gold Medal

Prof. Patricia Reyhan

More here: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/2023-grand-honors-recipients-announced

Max Sevor is not only leading SBA as its new Executive President, but he is engaged on Albany Law Review and in the GLC Fellows program! Meet him on this week’s podcast.

Albany Law School Student Bar Association: https://albanylawsba.org/

2023 Barrister's Ball: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307770256

Albany Law School Student Organizations: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/student-organizations

Class of 2023 Farewell Party: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720308492594

Therapy Dogs at Albany Law: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307320426

Court of Appeals Visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307654957

NYS Capitol Visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720303531847

Government Law Center Fellowship program: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/government-law-center-fellowship-program

Improving Interbranch Communication Project: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/improving-interbranch-communication-project

Albany Law Review: https://www.albanylawreview.org/

It is our honor to welcome The 19th President and Dean of Albany Law School - Cinnamon P. Carlarne - to this week’s podcast!

She talks about growing up in Texas, her passion for environmental law, and her daughter picking up field hockey.

More about Dean Carlarne: https://www.albanylaw.edu/faculty/faculty-directory/cinnamon-p-carlarne

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) and the Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted a CLE symposium in celebration of LASNNY’s 100-year anniversary. The symposium, Justice for All: Striving for a Fair and Equitable World, took place at Albany Law School on September 8–9, 2023.

CLE presenters:

Joanna Davis, LASNNY

Katherine Mastaitis, Donnellan Law Firm

Professor Michael Hutter, Albany Law School

Robert Romaker, LASNNY

Jonathan Feldman, Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York

Saima Akhtar, NCLEJ

Susan Antos, Empire Justice Center

Jessica Keenan, NY State Senate Majority Counsel’s Office

Steven Koch, NY State Senate Majority Counsel’s Office

Hon. Christina L. Ryba, NYS Supreme Court, Third Judicial District

Hon. Richard Rivera, Albany Co. Family Court

Hon. Gerald W. Connolly, Acting Justice, Albany Co. Supreme Court

Alison Coan, NYS Supreme Court, Third Judicial Dept. Attorney Grievance Committee

Noel Mendez, Esq., NYS Supreme Court, Third Judicial Dept. Attorney Grievance Committee

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York (LASNNY) and the Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted a CLE symposium in celebration of LASNNY’s 100-year anniversary. The symposium, Justice for All: Striving for a Fair and Equitable World, took place at Albany Law School on September 8–9, 2023.

CLE presenters:

Joanna Davis, LASNNY

Katherine Mastaitis, Donnellan Law Firm

Professor Michael Hutter, Albany Law School

Robert Romaker, LASNNY

Jonathan Feldman, Prisoners’ Legal Services of New York

Saima Akhtar, NCLEJ

Susan Antos, Empire Justice Center

Jessica Keenan, NY State Senate Majority Counsel’s Office

Steven Koch, NY State Senate Majority Counsel’s Office

Hon. Christina L. Ryba, NYS Supreme Court, Third Judicial District

Hon. Richard Rivera, Albany Co. Family Court

Hon. Gerald W. Connolly, Acting Justice, Albany Co. Supreme Court

Alison Coan, NYS Supreme Court, Third Judicial Dept. Attorney Grievance Committee

Noel Mendez, Esq., NYS Supreme Court, Third Judicial Dept. Attorney Grievance Committee

We are back for another year of podcasts and kicking things off with Abe Frangie ‘24 who is the Executive Director of the Anthony V. Cardona ’70 Moot Court Program at Albany Law School.

More about Moot Court: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/the-anthony-v-cardona-70-moot-court-program

See our Competitions on Flickr!

2022 Donna Jo Morse Client Counseling Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720303240196

2022 Karen C. McGovern Senior Prize Trials: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720303677817

35th Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Moot Court Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720306505791

2023 Donna Jo Morse Negotiations Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307567985

2023 Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Moot Court Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307794344

Join our Career and Professional Development Center and a panel of experts virtually as they discuss the advantages of designing your own post-graduate fellowship. Our panel will talk about different fellowships and navigating the application process. This conversation will be led by Professor Lauren DesRosiers.

REPRESENTATIVES

Join representatives from the The State University of New York Office of General Counsel to hear more about employment and career opportunities.

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted the third program of the 2023 Warren M. Anderson Legislative Series on April 25.

Panelists discussed the constitutional and legal issues related to the powers of the Governor of New York State in times of emergency.

Panelists:
Mylan L. Denerstein, Esq. – Partner at Gibson, Dunn, & Crutcher, LLP, and former Counsel to Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Peter J. Kiernan, Esq. – Chair of the New York Law Revision Commission; Senior Counsel at Venable LLP; and former Counsel to Governor David A. Paterson
Prof. Robert F. Williams – Former Director of the Center for State Constitutional Studies and Distinguished Professor of Law Emeritus at Rutgers Law School

Moderator:
Prof. Leonard M. Cutler – Director of the Center for the Study of Government and Politics and Professor of Political Science at Siena College

Series Sponsors:
A contribution made in the memory of Sharon P. O'Connor, Esq. ’79
Greenberg Traurig LLP

Program Sponsors:
Hinman Straub P.C.

Lippes Mathias LLP

About the Warren M. Anderson Series: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/warren-m-anderson-series

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School presented the fourth and final program of the 2023 Warren M. Anderson Legislative Series on May 23.

Panelists discussed the evolving practices and procedures in New York’s court system during COVID-19 and beyond. The discussion also described the findings and recommendations from a study conducted by the Pandemic Practices Working Group of the Commission to Reimagine New York's Courts.

Panelists

Jessica Cherry, Esq. ’12 – Deputy Counsel for the New York State Unified Court System, Office of Court Administration; Member of the Pandemic Practices Working Group and the Court Modernization Action Committee of the Commission to Reimagine New York's Courts

Hon. Craig J. Doran ’89 – New York State Supreme Court Justice, 7th Judicial District; Chair of the Pandemic Practices Working Group and the Court Modernization Action Committee of the Commission to Reimagine New York's Courts

Hon. Fern A. Fisher (ret.) – Call-In Center Attorney at Legal Hand, Special Assistant to the Dean of Social Justice Initiatives, and Visiting Professor at the Maurice A. Deane School of Law at Hofstra University; Former New York State Supreme Court Justice, 1st Judicial District

Moderator

Hon. Leslie E. Stein (ret.) ’81 – Director of the Government Law Center at Albany Law School

Sponsors

A contribution made in the memory of Sharon P. O'Connor, Esq. ’79

Greenberg Traurig

Photos, Program, Video: https://www.albanylaw.edu/commencement

Recorded May 19, 2023.

Roberta “Robbie” Kaplan successfully argued before the Supreme Court of the United States on behalf of LGBTQ rights activist Edith Windsor, in United States v. Windsor, a landmark decision that invalidated a section of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) requiring the federal government to recognize marriages of same-sex couples.

Kaplan went on to author Then Comes Marriage: United States v. Windsor and the Defeat of DOMA, chosen by the Los Angeles Times as one of the top 10 books of 2015.

Kaplan currently leads some of the country’s highest-profile commercial and public interest litigation, from suing the neo-Nazis behind the violence in Charlottesville to representing E. Jean Carroll, Mary Trump and investors in ACN in lawsuits against Donald Trump.

Kaplan left Big Law to found Kaplan Hecker & Fink in 2017 as a new kind of law firm blending a high-stakes commercial and white-collar practice with a fundamental commitment to public interest cases centered on values of

inclusion, equity and justice. The firm is majority women- and LGBTQ+-owned and more than 75 percent of its attorneys identify as women, people of color and/or LGBTQ+.

KHF takes on groundbreaking, precedent-setting cases that not only advance the public interest, but have a significant impact beyond the courtroom – especially for women and other marginalized groups. In pioneering this new kind of boutique law firm, Kaplan has redefined the traditional concept of “pro bono” by taking on important matters – both to the firm and the public – and ensuring they are at the core of the firm’s practice.

Kaplan has been widely recognized for her impact and leadership, including the New York State Bar Association’s Gold Medal Award and a Lifetime Achievement Award from the New York Law Journal, which also named her Attorney of the Year in 2020. Kaplan was also named Litigator of the Year by The American Lawyer and Most Innovative Lawyer of the Year by The Financial Times.

In addition to an A.B. from Harvard College (magna cum laude) and a J.D. from Columbia Law School – where she teaches a seminar on advanced civil procedure – Kaplan holds honorary doctorates from Johns Hopkins University and the Jewish Theological Seminary, among others.

Recorded May 19, 2023.

Recorded May 10, 2023.

MODERATOR - Glenn Liebman -CEO, Mental Health Association in New York State (MHANYS)

PANELISTS

Ashley Dugger - Associate Dean and Director of HR Management and Organizational Psychology Programs, Western Governors University

Alexandra Howell - Partner, Potomac Law Group; Adjunct Professor, Albany Law School

Nearly one in five adults in the United States are living with a mental health disorder and more than 70% have experienced at least one symptom of stress, including feeling overwhelmed or anxious.

Mental health doesn’t just affect quality of life. The global economy loses around $1 trillion in productivity each year due to employee depression and anxiety. Poor mental health and stress can affect performance, engagement, and communication on the job.

Despite the statistics, some employers struggle to promote mental health and support recovery. HR professionals and business leaders can help close the gap. This conversation will offer strategies to increase understanding around mental health, reduce stigma, identify resources, and articulate clear policies regarding mental health in the workplace to improve employee overall wellbeing, performance and retention. The session will also include advice on navigating personal privacy and other legal risks that may come up.

PANELISTS WILL DISCUSS:

Why mental health matters to employers and employees

How to start building a workplace culture in which conversations about mental health are more commonplace and collaborative

Barriers to employee wellness and how to overcome them

Best practices and pitfalls to consider when creating organizational policies

The obligations — both legal and moral — that employers have to provide reasonable accommodations for employees with mental illness

The potential legal risks and issues associated with building an employee mental health program

Panelists will also provide key resources that HR pros can use to dive deeper into topics covered.

President and Dean Alicia Ouellette '94 reflects on this academic year and her tenure leading Albany Law School on the final podcast before summer break this week!

Justice Center Renamed to Honor Edward P. Swyer: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/justice-center-renamed-honor-edward-p-swyer

Cinnamon Piñon Carlarne Named Next President and Dean of Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/cinnamon-pinon-carlarne-named-next-president-and-dean-albany-law-school

Albany Law School Establishes Bar Preparation Assistance Fund in honor of Eugene P. Devine, Class of 1940: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/albany-law-school-establishes-bar-preparation-assistance-fund-honor-eugene-p-devine

$1 Million Gift to Support Firefighters, EMS, and Non-Traditional Albany Law Students: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/1-million-gift-support-firefighters-ems-and-non-traditional-albany-law-students

Hear from New York State Department of Health representatives about:

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School, New York University School of Law, and the New York Fair Trial/Free Press Conference convened the 2023 Fair Trial/Free Press Conference: Local Media, the Law, and Alleged Police Misconduct on April 24, 2023.

The conference combines a discussion of a hypothetical scenario with an overview of media law. A panel of judges, prosecutors, journalists, and attorneys discussed the legal, political, and ethical issues that arise in the fictional scenario after a reporter is arrested while covering a police-involved shooting.

Panelists:

Richard Chacón - Director of News Standards and Practices, NBC News

Hon. Jill Konviser - Acting Justice, New York County Supreme Court, Criminal Term, First Judicial District

Anne LaBarbera - Principal Attorney, Anne LaBarbera Professional Corporation

Darren LaVerne - Partner, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP

Thomas Maier - Investigative Journalist, Newsday

Hon. Robert M. Mandelbaum – Acting Justice, New York County Supreme Court, First Judicial District

Hon. Shira A. Scheindlin (ret.) - Former Judge, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, and Of Counsel, Stroock & Stroock & Lavan, LLP

Tanvi Valsangikar - Attorney specializing in First Amendment and media law and co-host, SLANDERTOWN

Steven Wu - Chief of the Appeals Division, Manhattan District Attorney's Office

Moderators:

Hon. Albert Rosenblatt (ret.) - Former Associate Judge, New York State Court of Appeals, and Counsel, McCabe & Mack LLP

Rex Smith – Former Editor, Albany Times Union

Claire Stratton ‘23 is nearing the end of her time here at Albany Law School but - as she might say - BOY HOWDY did she make the most of it!

The outgoing SBA President and Editor in Chief of the  Journal of Sci. & Tech. joins this week’s podcast!

Student Organizations at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-organizations

2023 Barrister’s Ball: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720307770256

Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology: https://www.albanylawscitech.org/

Student Bar Association at Albany Law School: https://albanylawsba.org/

Beven Nedumthakady ‘23 is an integral part of student life at Albany Law School this year. 

He also loves to fish! You never know what you will learn on the podcast!

Bev is:

Student Organizations at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-organizations

Student Bar Association at Albany Law School: https://albanylawsba.org/

Senior Prize Trials at Albany Law School: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72157720148066936

Panelists discussed potential statutory reforms to strengthen civil rights protections for people with developmental disabilities.

Moderated by Jennifer J. Monthie ’03 - Disability Rights New York - the speakers included:

Rose Mary Bailly - Government Law Center, Albany Law School

Paul Kietzman ’72 - Barclay Damon LLP

Sheila E. Shea ’86 - Mental Hygiene Legal Service, Third Judicial Department

Robert N. Swidler - St. Peter’s Health Partners

From the Career and Professional Development Center (https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center)you read that right, hiring for Summer 2024 Associate positions starts soon.

This program will give you the opportunity to hear directly from firms from across New York State about their Summer Associate recruiting process. You will learn what you can do to prepare and the timing for applications.

The Albany Law School Student Bar Association held an information session on the character and fitness portion of bar admission with guest speaker Anthony Moore, Director of Attorney Admissions for the Third Department in April.

Moore went through the character and fitness procedure, what is required to be submitted, factors that are considered, and resources to help with the process.

Robert Hojnacki ‘23 isn’t just an ambassador for Albany Law School, he is leading the Rugby Team and the 2023 William M. Watkins Weekend and Golf Outing, interning with the Attorney General, and competing in Moot Court! 

Meet him this week on the podcast!

Rugby at Albany Law: https://alumni.albanylaw.edu/s/977/21/interior.aspx?sid=977&gid=1&pgid=2200

Student Ambassadors: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/student-ambassadors

2023 Watkins Tournament: https://www.albanylaw.edu/events/albany-2023-william-m-watkins-weekend-and-golf-outing

Senior Prize Trails Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720303677817

Senior Prize Trails Video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYqAJiFalro

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pkte79qE11c

Albany Law School and Albany Medical College students continue to discuss the ways sexual assault, domestic violence, and intimate partner violence affect individuals and their care.

During April's Sexual Violence Awareness Month, Danielle Salazar ’23 and Chloe Ross ‘23 who work in the Family Violence Litigation Clinic (FVLC) within the Justice Center here at Albany Law School worked with Isha Doshi and Drishti Patel from Albany Medical College to present, "Maternal Fetal Complications and IPV," on April 4.

The presentation is a follow up to last year's, "Intimate Partner Violence: The Role of the Physician," which was presented as part of the medical college's student-led Community Grand Rounds.

FVLC Director and Professor Hayat Bearat assisted the students with the presentation. The projects aim to fill the gaps in care for survivors of domestic violence starting by educating practitioners who assist them.

Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology, Vol. 33 presented its annual symposium on April 4, 2023 focusing on Reproductive Data Privacy Post-Dobbs.

More about the Journal: https://www.albanylawscitech.org/

The discussion was moderated by The Honorable Leslie E. Stein ’81 - Director of the Government Law Center, Albany Law School - and featured panelists:

New York State has itself in a bit of a predicament over its Chief Judge. Vincent M. Bonventre - Albany Law's Justice Robert H. Jackson Distinguished Professor of Law - is here to help us understand the latest.

​The Center for Judicial Process: http://www.judicialprocessblog.com/

Patricia Whelan '23: https://soundcloud.com/user-952955809-873766748/patricia-whelan-23-what-doesnt-she-do

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion welcomed Joshua Dodds to campus for an engaging keynote presentation followed by a Q&A session.

This event was the culmination of workshops and trainings across campus this year including one on microaggressions in November and faculty and staff workshops in January.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

More about Josh Dodds: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-dodds-m-ed-70566951/

Join the Government Law Center and the Institute for Aging and Disability Law for the 2023 Disability Law Series: Civil Rights and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.

The series consists of five 2-hour forums exploring critical issues related to the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities.

Panelists discussed the civil rights challenges of guardianship, as well as strategies to address such challenges and protect the civil rights of people with developmental disabilities.

Speakers included:

Rose Mary Bailly (Government Law Center, Albany Law School)

Julie Friedman (Mental Hygiene Legal Service, Third Judicial Department)

Lisa K. Friedman (Law Office of Lisa K. Friedman)

Kathryn E. Jerian ’07 (The Arc New York)

Christopher Lyons (AIM Services, Inc.)

The discussion was moderated by Lawrence R. Faulkner (The Arc Westchester)

This tradition celebrates women in the law in honor of the law school’s first female graduate, Kate Stoneman, Class of 1898. Albany Law School's prestigious Stoneman Awards are presented to individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to seeking change and expanding opportunities for women within the legal profession.

MIRIAM M. NETTER '72 KATE STONEMAN KEYNOTER

The Honorable Teneka E. Frost ’02

Judge Frost served as a staff attorney for the Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York, co-chair of the Equal Justice in the Courts Initiative for the Fourth Judicial district, and as the Chief Administrative Law Judge and Director of the Office of Administrative Hearings at the NY Department of State. Last year, she was named to Albany Law School's National Alumni Association. In 2018, she was appointed as a city court judge by Schenectady Mayor Gary McCarthy.

In 2021, she began the United Against Crime Community Action Network (U-CAN), a program where first-time offenders 18-25 years old with no criminal record can learn from mentors and work on self-improvement in a year-long program. In 2005, she was selected for a post-graduate fellowship in government law and policy at Albany Law School’s Government Law Center, during which she served as an elected member of the Board of Education for the City School District of Albany.

THE HONORABLE PATRICIA D. MARKS ’74

Judge Marks was the first female full-time Assistant District Attorney in the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office in 1976 and became the first female County Judge elected in Monroe County in 1984. She served as a County Court Judge for 25 years and retired in 2011. Since her retirement, she has remained active in a number of areas throughout the law, including as Interim CEO/Executive Director of Veterans Outreach Center, a not-for-profit organization that provides advocacy, direct service, and community collaboration for veterans and their families; as a Hearing Officer with the NYS Local and Retirement System and the Title IX office at the University of Rochester. She also provides pro bono services to various family law clinics in Western New York.

Marks also presided over the Judicial Diversion Program and Veterans Court, which she created, and played a key role in establishing the Monroe County Mental Health Court. She is the author of 27 published legal decisions and several New York State Bar Journal articles.

Marks began her legal career as a legal assistant with the Monroe County Department of Social Services.

SECRETARY ALEJANDRA N. PAULINO ’02

Secretary Paulino is the first Latina to serve as the Secretary of the New York Senate and is an expert in New York State election law.

She was elected by members of the State Senate in 2019 and serves as chief administrative officer to the Senate and its 16 departments. She has increased access to resources and worked to improve working conditions at the New York State Senate. She has updated the Senate’s sexual harassment policies and has added cultural competency to the training for all Senate employees.

She has spent her career in several different government offices and adjacent groups, starting as a Senate fellow and has since served in the Majority Counsel’s Office as Crime, Crime Victims, and Correction Committee Counsel and Team Counsel for Public Protection. In 2019, she was the recipient of the Capital District Black and Hispanic Bar Association’s Trail Blazer Award.

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School preseted the second program of the 2023 Warren M. Anderson Legislative Series on March 22.

Panelists discussed state-level approaches to developing environmentally sustainable affordable housing. In particular, the panel will explore legal and policy incentives and regulations that impact the development of environmentally sustainable affordable housing. The discussion will describe existing projects and the potential for future projects.

Panelists

Rory M. Christian - Chair and CEO, New York State Public Service Commission

Board Member, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA)

Casius Pealer - Associate Dean and Director of Advancement, Director of Sustainable Real Estate Development, and Shane Professor of Practice, Tulane University School of Architecture

Amar Shah - Manager, Carbon-Free Buildings, Rocky Mountain Institute

Moderator

Cinnamon Piñon Carlarne - Robert J. Lynn Chair in Law, Associate Dean for Faculty and Intellectual Life, Ohio State University Moritz College of Law

19th President and Dean of Albany Law School, effective July 1, 2023

Sponsors

In the memory of Sharon P. O'Connor, Esq. '79

Greenburg Traurig

CSEA

Tom Hemstock is just one of the hard-working librarians in the Shaffer Law Library here at Albany Law School.

Plus, he works the Online Graduate Programs too helping students with legal research.

Meet him on the podcast this week!

Library: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/schaffer-law-library

Online Graduate Programs: https://www.albanylaw.edu/graduate

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School hosted Consent of Adults  in Adoption and Marriage Decisions on March 9, 2023.  

Panelists discussed consent and civil rights of adults with  developmental disabilities in adoption and marriage decisions.  

Panelists: 

Natalie M. Chin (Disability and Aging Justice Clinic, City University of  New York) 

Sheila E. Shea ’86 (Mental Hygiene Legal Service, Third Judicial  Department)

 Edward Wilcenski ’95 (Wilcenski & Pleat, PLLC).   

The discussion was moderated by Simeon Goldman (Disability Rights New  York).  

The program was part of the 2023 Disability Law Series: Civil Rights and  Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. The program was  co-sponsored by the Institute for Aging and Disability Law and the  Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Albany Law School.

Cassie Carudo is nearing the end of her law school journey, and she took some time to reflect on it and share her insights about what being a law school student is all about on the podcast this week!

Albany Law School Student Ambassadors: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/student-ambassadors

Albany Law School Government Law Review: https://www.albanygovernmentlawreview.org/

The Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York and the Monroe County Bar Association hosted Embracing Equity in the Courtroom on March 10, 2023 at Albany Law School.

The event honored International Women’s Day and brought awareness to the role gender plays in the courtroom and celebrated trailblazing women on the bench.

Presenters:

Professor Melissa Breger (Albany Law)

Professor Gwen D’Arcangelis (Skidmore College)

Hon. Christine Clark (Appellate Division, Third Department)

Hon. Teneka Frost (Schenectady City Court)

Hon. Sherri Brooks-Morton (Albany County Family Court)

Hon. Christina Ryba (Supreme Court, Third Judicial District)

Hon. Grace Hanlon (Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District)

Hon. Phyllis Frye (Houston Municipal Courts, TX)

Hon. Victoria Kolakowski (Alameda County Superior Court, CA)

Hon. Andi Mudryk (Alameda County Superior Court, CA)

The discussion was moderated by Norina Melita, Esq. (Montgomery County Supreme Court).

Meet another one of our students as 1L Colin Baker joins the podcast this week.

He shares his experiences and insights on his first year at Albany Law, courses, workload, professor relationships, and being a student ambassador.

Student Ambassadors at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/student-ambassadors

Moot Court at Albany Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/anthony-v-cardona-70-moot-court-program

The Domenick L. Gabrielli National Family Law Competition was created to honor the late Associate Justice of the New York Court of Appeals. Albany Law School's Moot Court Board is especially indebted to Judge Gabrielli for his help in creating and promoting the Anthony V. Cardona '70 Moot Court Program. Schools from across the nation are invited to send participants. As the host of this event, Albany Law does not compete in this competition. The competition, which is an appellate advocacy competition, focuses on issues surrounding family law. Many volunteers are needed throughout the competition as judges and bailiffs. Volunteering for this competition is a great way to get involved and very much appreciated.

More about Moot Court at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/anthony-v-cardona-70-moot-court-program

The Government Law Center at Albany Law School discusses critical issues related to filling the position of Lieutenant Governor when a vacancy occurs and other constitutional concerns about the relationship between the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Panelists

David A. Paterson - Former Governor, State of New York

Hon. Helen E. Freedman (ret.) - Former Associate Justice, New York Appellate Division of the Supreme Court, First Judicial Department

Patrick A. Woods ’12 - Deputy Director, Government Law Center at Albany Law School

Moderator: Bennett Liebman - Government Lawyer in Residence, Government Law Center at Albany Law School

Series Sponsors: Joan R. Weissman ’77 and Charles I. Weissman 

About the Warren M. Anderson Series: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/warren-m-anderson-series

Katerina Kramarchyk ‘13 was recently named an Outstanding Young Lawyer in New York by the New York State Bar Association. She is an attorney with Harris Beach PLLC.

Connect with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katkramarchyk/

Women's Leadership Initiative at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/womens-leadership-initiative

Women’s Leadership Initiative Strengthened by Harris Beach Commitment: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/womens-leadership-initiative-strengthened-harris-beach-commitment

More about the award: https://www.harrisbeach.com/news/new-york-state-bar-association-recognizes-harris-beach-attorney-katerina-kramarchyk-as-outstanding-young-lawyer/

Abbey Paduano is Director of Football Operations at Colgate University, but Albany Law’s Online Graduate Programs helped get her ready for the role!

More about Abbey’s story: https://www.albanylaw.edu/spotlight/sports-industry-professional-chooses-albany-law-masters-degree

Online Graduate Programs at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/graduate

Human Resources: Law, Leadership, and Policy: https://www.albanylaw.edu/graduate/human-resources

The Government Law Center and the Institute for Aging and Disability Law presents the 2023 Disability Law Series: Civil Rights and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities.

Panelists discuss consent in health care decisions for people with developmental disabilities from a civil rights perspective. 

Speakers:

Megan Applewhite (Alden March Bioethics Institute, Albany Medical College)

Haldan Blecher (NYS Office for People with Developmental Disabilities)

Sheila E. Shea ’86 (Mental Hygiene Legal Service, Third Judicial Department)

Robert N. Swidler (St. Peter’s Health Partners). 

Moderator - Albany Law School President and Dean Alicia Ouellette ’94.

Government Law Center: http://www.albanylaw.edu/glc

The Institute for Aging and Disability Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/the-institute-aging-and-disability-law

Kristina Wieneke '23 isn't a traditional student, but she brings a wealth of lobbying knowledge and experience to Albany Law while also starting the Non-Traditional Law Students Association this semester!

Student Organizations at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-organizations

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/diversity-equity-and-inclusion

Upcoming Events at Albany Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/events/upcoming

Bria Barnes comes to Albany Law School as an experienced facilitator, workshop leader, and equity educator with years of experience in public and private K-12 environments across the tri-state and New England area.

With a masters degree in Education, Culture, and Society from Rutgers University, Bria has worked collaboratively and constructively with a number of institutions in hopes of creating more inclusive communities on their campuses. In the past several years, Bria has revised school policy, created mission-driven procedures, and expanded student programming through an equity lens as the Assistant Head of School for Community, Equity, and Belonging at The White Mountain School in Bethlehem, NH, and Assistant Director of Diversity and Inclusion at The Pingry School in Basking Ridge, NJ. 

Join the Women’s Leadership Initiative, the Government Law Center, and author Patricia E. Salkin ’88 to celebrate the publication of the new book, May It Please the Campus: Lawyers Leading Higher Education.

Dr. Salkin will discuss the book, which traces the history of lawyers serving as college campus leaders from the 1700s to present.

This free event is open to the public and includes a book signing and reception in the East Foyer. Copies of the book will be available for purchase for $25.00 during the book signing.

About Patricia E. Salkin

Patricia E. Salkin, J.D., Ph.D.,’88 is the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of the Graduate and Professional Division of Touro University. She is the former Dean of the Touro University Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center and previously served as Associate Dean, Director of the Government Law Center, and the Raymond & Ella Smith Distinguished Professor of Law at Albany Law School.

Her new book, May It Please the Campus: Lawyers Leading Higher Education, was published by Touro University Press in December 2022.

About the Book

May It Please the Campus: Lawyers Leading Higher Education is a groundbreaking study on the important and little-known role that lawyers have played as leaders in higher education.

The book traces the history of lawyer campus presidents from the 1700s to present. The author explores reasons for an exponential increase in lawyers serving as campus leaders by examining the growth of legal education and myriad legal and regulatory issues confronting higher education.

Patricia Whelan ‘23 is entering her final semester and she does a ton of work around campus.

We are just going to list it all!

Representatives from the NYS Attorney General’s Office will speak with students about  semester, summer and post-graduation opportunities.

More from the Career and Professional Development Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center

This presentation with Associate Dean Dean Antony Haynes helps practicing lawyers and judges become familiar with security and privacy risks posed by new technology, with a focus on the ethical duties to maintain technology competence and reasonable cybersecurity. 

The program also describes the fundamentals of incident response and explores some of the cybersecurity and privacy issues presented by cloud computing agreements.

More about Online Graduate Programs at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/graduate

Join the Women's Leadership Initiative, The Women's Law Caucus, and author Dahlia Lithwick, to discuss the new book, "Lady Justice: Women, the Law, and the Battle to Save America," and the impact of women in the law on modern American history. 

Dahlia Lithwick is a senior editor at Slate and, in that capacity, has been writing their Supreme Court Dispatches and Jurisprudence columns since 1999. Her new book, Lady Justice, published by Penguin Press (September 2022) was a New York Times bestseller.

More about the Women's Leadership Initiative: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/womens-leadership-initiative

A virtual discussion of the summer internship program with the Albany County Public Defender's Office.

More from the Albany Law School Career and Professional Development Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center

Join the Government Law Center and the Institute for Aging and Disability Law for the first forum of the 2023 Disability Law Series: Civil Rights and Individuals with Developmental Disabilities. This presentation introduces critical civil rights issues faced by people with developmental disabilities.

Moderator

Tara Pleat, Esq. - Co-Owner, Wilcenski & Pleat, PLLC

Panelists

Roger Bearden - Executive Deputy Commissioner, New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities

Prianka Nair - Assistant Professor of Clinical Law, Co-Director of the Disability and Civil Rights Clinic, Brooklyn Law School

Hon. Kristin Booth Glen (ret.) - Dean Emerita, CUNY School of Law

Mira Weiss, Esq. - Founder and Managing Attorney, Weiss Law Group, PLLC

Join the Albany Law School Career and Professional Development Center for this information session recorded in January 2023.

More from the CPDC: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center

Kyle Pittman has a new job, but you are going to have to listen to this week’s show to find out where!

More about Government Law Review: https://www.albanygovernmentlawreview.org/

Student Ambassadors: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/student-ambassadors

Michelle McCabe somehow finds time to be seemingly everywhere. She serves as a Government Law Center Fellow, 3L Class President, LALSA Co-Social Chair, and Albany County District Attorney Intern.

Join her on the podcast this week!

Government Law Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center

Government Law Center Fellows: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center/fellowships-internships-and-other-student-opportunities

Student Bar Association: https://albanylawsba.org/

Student Organizations: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-organizations

Join the Government Law Center for the Edwin L. Crawford Memorial Lecture on Municipal Law. A panel of legal experts and government officials will discuss the potential uses and effects of cryptocurrency and blockchain technology on state and local governments.

Panelists:

Moderator - Antony Haynes, Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy Law at Albany Law School.

Welcome one of our newest faculty members - Daniel Bollana - to the Albany Law community this week on the podcast!

Read more about the new faculty members: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/albany-law-school-welcomes-new-faculty-1

More about faculty at Albany Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/faculty

Presented by the Health Law Society on Nov. 16, 2022

Panelists

Judge Mae A. D'Agostino -  a United States District Judge for the NDNY. Prior to being appointed she was a trial attorney who tried civil cases including medical malpractice, negligence, and products liability.

Wajiha Kazmi '20 - an associate attroney at NY Dept. of Health and Health Research. Previously she was in-house counsel at Rutland Regional Medical Center.

Marget Surowka-Rossi - a special counsel at Barclay Damon where she represents agencies, facilities, and individual providers in various proceedings.

Jess Haller Dell'Anno '21 - an assistant counsel for NYS Office of Cannabis Management. Previously she worked in the NYS Senate and Assembly.

From First Mondays host and Distinguished Professor of Law Pat Reyhan:

Huge amounts of press coverage has been devoted in the last two weeks to the collapse of FTX, a crypto-currency exchange that was heralded just a few months ago as being the savior of crypto currency in general. I don’t know about you, but I hardly understand crypto in principal. Nonetheless, as through the centuries, the “law” has had to understand and adapt and you are living through the process as the law does that (just as people living through the industrial and technological revolutions had to do).But, we are lucky because Professor Chung gets this and is willing to share her expertise with us.

It is a rare opportunity to watch law adapt in real time and you have the opportunity to observe and participate.

The State of the School Address by President and Dean Alicia Ouellette ’94.  

She updates the community about the current state and future direction of Albany Law School, including the new Albany Law School Strategic Plan: From Innovation to Opportunity.  

More about the plan: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/strategic-plan  

Search for the 19th President and Dean: https://www.albanylaw.edu/presidential-search

Moderator - Miriam Dushane, PHR, SHRM-CP, Managing Partner, Alaant Workforce Solutions

Panelists 

Dave Druzynski, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Sr. Vice President, People and Culture, Bestpass

Isaac Mamaysky, Esq., Partner, Potomac Law Group PLLC, Adjunct Professor, Albany Law School

Robye Margolius, Esq., Manager of Career Counseling and Co-Chair of the Well-Being Committee, Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer LLP; Chair of Career Advancement and Management Committee, New York City Bar Association

Sean Wall-Carty, Ph.D., Instructor, WGU College of Business

--

Quiet quitting. The Great Resignation. Career correction.  

The relationship between employees and their organizations has been upended by the pandemic. About 20 million people quit their jobs in the first 5 months of 2022 alone, as many sought roles that better fit their lifestyles or values. Millions more are staying on the job, but choosing not to go above and beyond their core responsibilities. 

Amid this shift and intense competition for talent, HR professionals are challenged to retain and boost morale of qualified — and content — employees.  

It’s time for employers to self-reflect on what drove workers to leave, disengage, or sign an offer with another company. This conversation will delve into building a culture that keeps today’s employees motivated, appreciated, and on the job — a core function of HR in the post-pandemic era.  

In this webinar: 

What employees value in today’s climate

Instilling trust and effective wellbeing practices 

Strategies and challenges to building culture in remote, in-person, and hybrid environments 

The importance of internal communication  

Boosting morale through appropriate humor

Legal risks navigating retention 

Panelists will also provide key resources that HR pros can use to dive deeper into topics discussed.

More from the Career and Professional Development Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center

Final Round | Wednesday, November 9

Presiding Judge - The Honorable Daniel J. Stewart ’88; U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York

Finalists

Prosecution - Lillian C. Hahn & Robert R. Hojnacki

Defense - Deana J. DiBenedetto & Allison M. Magnarelli

Final Round | Wednesday, November 9

Presiding Judge - The Honorable Daniel J. Stewart ’88; U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York

Finalists

Prosecution - Lillian C. Hahn & Robert R. Hojnacki

Defense - Deana J. DiBenedetto & Allison M. Magnarelli

Final Round | Thursday, October 27, 2022

Finalists

Shivani R. Damera ’23 and Nikita Nayar ’23 

Ellen J. Gabelmann ’24 and Christina C. Jefferson ’24

Presiding judges

The Honorable Richard Rivera ’91, Albany County Family Court

The Honorable Christina L. Ryba ’01,  NYS Supreme Court, Albany County

Andrew R. Safranko ’98, LaMarche Safranko Law PLLC

Client

Michael J. Badalamenti ’25

Rachel Rebouché, Dean of Temple University’s Beasley School of Law and the James E. Beasley Professor of Law speaks about “Remote Reproductive Rights” at Albany Law School on Nov. 7, 2022.

The Katheryn D. Katz ’70 Lecture Series was established in 2014 to focus on the family law topics that Professor Katz made central to her teaching, including domestic violence, gender and the law, children and the law, reproductive rights, and inequality.

Al Chapleau ’78 joins the podcast this week and the full-time faculty this semester.

He has a dearth of experience teaching and with the law. Plus, he recorded this with the help of his 2 golden retrievers!

Read more about the new faculty members: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/albany-law-school-welcomes-new-faculty-1

More about faculty at Albany Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/faculty

The Albany Law Review Vol. 86 explored a simple question with complex legal and social answers, “From OnlyFans to Pornhub, we’re surrounded with legal ways to sell sex, but 'prostitution' is still a crime on the books in New York. Should it be?”

The student-run law journal’s fall 2022 symposium was Sex Work: Legalization and Decriminalization.

Recorded on Tuesday, Nov. 1.

The discussion was moderated by Albany Law School's President William McKinley Distinguished Professor of Law Melissa L. Breger and featured:

Julia Salazar - New York State Senator, New York's 18th State Senate District

Nora M. Cronin, Esq. - Adjunct Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice

RJ Thompson, Esq. - Managing Director of the Sex Workers Project at the Urban Justice Center

Damara Fredette ‘19 Esq. - Staff Attorney, Legal Aid Society of Northeastern New York

Welcome one of our newest faculty members - Victoria M. Esposito - to the Albany Law community this week on the podcast!

Read more about the new faculty members: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/albany-law-school-welcomes-new-faculty-1

More about faculty at Albany Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/faculty

Welcome one of our newest faculty members - Michael Wetmore ‘14 - to the Albany Law community this week on the podcast!

Read more about the new faculty members: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/albany-law-school-welcomes-new-faculty-1

Moot Court at Albany Law: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/anthony-v-cardona-70-moot-court-program

The Albany Law School Alumni in Residence honor is bestowed to an alum/alumna by the Dean as a recognition of the influence and impact that person has on a sector within the legal profession. Inaugurated in 1992, the program brings an alum/alumna back to campus to share their story and expertise with current students, faculty, staff, and other alumni. This year, Albany Law School welcomes back Damien Granderson, Esq. ’03, as the 2022 Alumni in Residence. 

Damien Granderson, Esq. ’03 has represented some of music and entertainment’s biggest stars and later this month he will share his insights with Albany Law School’s students.

A founding partner at Granderson Des Rochers, LLP, Granderson has served as counsel and handled transactions for Nicki Minaj, Zendaya, A$AP Rocky, J. Cole, Wizkid, J. Balvin and other notable artists and entertainers.

For the past three decades the Government Law Center at Albany Law School has brought together experts from around the world to address major legal and policy issues pending before New York State Government as part of the Warren M. Anderson Series.

The series celebrated 30 years of information dissemination on Thursday, Oct. 20 as Government Lawyer in Residence Bennett Liebman will spoke about the history of gambling and ethical government regulation in New York State and strategies to improve the integrity of government regulation of gambling.

Welcome one of our newest faculty members - Lianne Pinchuk - to the Albany Law community this week on the podcast!

Read more about the new faculty members: https://www.albanylaw.edu/news/albany-law-school-welcomes-new-faculty-1

Speakers: Jennifer Shufelt, Associate General Counsel 

Donald Cepiel ’95, VP & Assistant General Counsel – Global Regulatory (Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Data)

The discussion focused on the newly created talent incubator in the New York area to educate and develop lawyers to serve the dynamic legal needs of IBM’s business.

More from the Career and Professional Development Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center

Recorded - Oct. 3, 2022 

A unique discussion between Albany Law School, Albany Medical College, and the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences professors about the legal, medical, and psychological effects of this landmark decision.

Hosts - Prof. Patricia Reyhan - Distinguished Professor of Law

Prof. Ted De Barbieri -  Associate Professor of Law; Director, Community Economic Development Clinic

Moderator - Prof. Evelyn Tenenbaum - Professor of Law, Albany Law School; Professor of Bioethics, Albany Medical College 

Speakers - Barry DeCoster, Ph.D. Philosophy - Associate Professor, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Rachel Flink-Bochacki, M.D., M.P.H. - Associate Professor, Albany Medical College, Division Chief of Family Planning

Wendy M. Parker, Ph.D. Sociology, M.P.A. Public Administration and Public Policy - Associate Professor, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

About First Mondays - First Mondays is a special discussion program about current business and political events through a legal lens. This program is an opportunity to meet Albany Law School faculty and to participate in a stimulating discussion on world events.

Hannah Merges is leading the Class of 2024 and serving as the Vice President of the Criminal Law Society.

She is also following her mom - Renee Merges ‘83 - here at the law school!

Student Organizations at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/student-organizations

Do you enjoy giving people and businesses a fresh start?  

Do you like solving puzzles? 

Do you want to work in a field where litigation meets transactional?  

Did you know that bankruptcy intersects with many other areas of law? 

Learn about the diverse career paths in bankruptcy!  

Listen to leading practitioners from the American Bankruptcy Institute including:

Brittani Bushman '21

Larry Fallon

Uri Pinelo '17

Paula M. Barbaruolo, Esq. '92 (Adjunct Professor and Senior Attorney & Managing Partner at Barbaruolo Law Firm)

This event organized by the ABI's DEI working group in collaboration with the CPDC, APALSA, BLSA & MLSA. 

In just a few short weeks, Jonas Caballero ‘25 has already asserted himself as a leader here on campus.

He shared his unique journey to Albany Law School and his love of our four-legged friends this week on the podcast.

Albany Law School SBA: https://albanylawsba.org/

Claire Stratton does it all at Albany Law School, but we will just stay out of the way and let her speak for herself!

A fixture among the current students, she is the Executive President of the Student Bar Association and the Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Law Journal Science and Technology Vol. 33.

Coming to the school all the way from Texas amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic, Claire Stratton loves it on New Scotland Ave and the school owes a debt of gratitude to the high school counselor that directed her toward a path in law.

Albany Law School Student Bar Association: https://albanylawsba.org/

Albany Law Journal of Science & Technology: https://www.albanylawscitech.org/

Albany Law on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums

Keenan Loder ‘23 - Editor-in-Chief of Albany Law Review, Vol. 86: https://soundcloud.com/user-952955809-873766748/keenan-loder-23-editor-in-chief-of-albany-law-review-vol-86

Jenean Taranto selected as Associate Dean of Student Affairs: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/jenean-taranto-selected-associate-dean-student-affairs

Rosemary Queenan selected as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/rosemary-queenan-selected-associate-dean-academic-affairs

The NYS Court of Appeals and the NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 3rd Department are currently accepting applications, from 3Ls, for clerkships.

Learn about each of these opportunities and the application process in this session recorded on Sept. 28, 2022.

Speakers:

Chelsea Cerutti Ducharme ’12, NYS Court of Appeals

Joseph O’Rourke ’15, NYS Court of Appeals

Beth Lifshin ’97, NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Third Department

Legal scholars and media personalities debated the balance of rights, responsibilities, and liability of both the media and the government during a hypothetical health crisis as part of the New York Fair Trial/Free Press Conference at Albany Law School on Sept. 22.

Informed by the reactions, restrictions, and reality of the COVID-19 pandemic, the program will explore the interplay of First Amendment rights to attend and report on trials, defamation law, protection of the press and sources, and the Sixth Amendment right to a fair trial during a fictional outbreak of “duck flu” in a rural Upstate New York county, and the ensuing government response and media fallout. 

Panelists included:

Susan J. Arbetter – Political Anchor, Capitol Tonight (Spectrum News)

Stephen Clark – Professor of Law, Albany Law School

Mary Pat Donnelly ‘97 – District Attorney, Rensselaer County

Hon. Michael J. Garcia ‘89 – Associate Judge, New York Court of Appeals

Michael J. Grygiel – Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

E. Stewart Jones, Jr. ’66 – Partner, Jones Hacker Murphy, LLP

Hon. William T. Little, Jr. ‘05 – Judge, Albany County Court

Judith Patrick – V.P. for Editorial Development, New York Press Association

Casey Seiler – Current Editor, Times Union

Moderators were:

Hon. Albert Rosenblatt – Retired Judge, New York Court of Appeals

Rex Smith – Former Editor, Albany Times-Union

A new scholarship will honor John DeMatteo, the law school’s longtime maintenance supervisor, often affectionately called “Dad” by both crew members and students over the years for his wisdom, kindness, work ethic, and sense of humor. Join Bill Pulos ’80, the lead donor and spearhead of the fundraising efforts, as we celebrate the donors, the legacy, and the impact the scholarship will have.

Read More: https://www.albanylaw.edu/the-albany-advantage/news/new-scholarship-honor-john-dematteo-known-the-law-schools-beating-heart

Tai White is doing it all this year and that includes serving on the Board of Trustees! Listen to her on this week’s podcast!

Read more about Tai and all of our Student Ambassadors: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/student-ambassadors

Albany Law School honored five distinguished alumni and friends at the 2022 Grand Honors Awards on Thursday, September 15. The ceremony was presented by the National Alumni Association. 

Trustees Gold Medal - James E. Kelly ’83

Trustee Emeritus, Albany Law School Board of Trustees

Founding donor, Albany Law School Wellness Initiative

Distinguished Alumni Award - Renee Z. Merges ’83

Retired Assistant District Attorney with the Albany County District Attorney’s Office

Donald D. DeAngelis '60 Excellence in Alumni Service Award - BJ Costello III ’72

Senior Counsel at Hinman Straub

Outstanding Young Alumni Award - Benjamin P. Pomerance ’13

Deputy Director for Program Development for the NYS Division of Veterans’ Affairs

Humanitarian Achievement Award - Edward P. Swyer ’18H

President of the Swyer Companies

Read more about the recipients: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/2022-grand-honors-award-recipients-announced

Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720302157503

We may have set the record for the tallest podcast guest this week as Editor-in-Chief of Albany Law Review Keenan Loder ‘23 drops in to talk about the storied publication.

The Albany Law Review is a quarterly law review edited by students at Albany Law School. The Albany Law Review is one of three student-edited law journals published by the school.

Albany Law Review: https://www.albanylawreview.org/

Reunion Events at Albany Law School: https://alumni.albanylaw.edu/s/977/21/interior.aspx?sid=977&gid=1&pgid=3761&cid=7833&ecid=7833&crid=0&calpgid=61&calcid=7277

Demystifying the Bluebook: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hLTq2jYLc

We need you to judge moot court!

Rebecca Novick ‘23, Executive Director of our Anthony V. Cardona ’70 Moot Court Program, tells us all about the upcoming year for the program and how you can be part of the fun!

Be a Moot Court Judge: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/webform/judging-fall-moot-court-competitions

Moot Court at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/anthony-v-cardona-70-moot-court-program

2022 Domenick L. Gabrielli Appellate Advocacy Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720298382818

2022 Donna Jo Morse Negotiations Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720297960138

2022 Gabrielli Family Law Competition: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72177720297218992

2021 Senior Prize Trials: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72157720148066936

2021 Donna Jo Morse Client Counseling Competition finals: https://www.flickr.com/photos/albanylaw/albums/72157720106826962

Tina Thermadam '23 is just a lovely young person and a wonderful example of the quality of the students here at Albany Law School. Join her on this week's podcast!

Student Ambassadors: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/student-ambassadors

Moot Court at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/programs-centers/anthony-v-cardona-70-moot-court-program

Student Organizations: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-organizations

Mark Chieco ‘02 is, as far as we can verify, the strongest lawyer on the planet. The New President of the National Alumni Association talks about how literal that is along with his excitement about the future of Albany Law.

Reunion 2022: https://alumni.albanylaw.edu/s/977/21/interior.aspx?sid=977&gid=1&pgid=2102

President and Dean Alicia Ouellette to Complete Final Year of Contract, Step Down: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/president-and-dean-alicia-ouellette-complete-final-year-contract-step-down

Rosemary Queenan selected as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/rosemary-queenan-selected-associate-dean-academic-affairs

Jenean Taranto selected as Associate Dean of Student Affairs: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/news/jenean-taranto-selected-associate-dean-student-affairs

Government Law Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/government-law-center

The first podcast of the new academic year is with Rebekah Carson ‘23 who has one of the most unique journeys of any student at Albany Law School.

She talks about her daughter, her emancipation, her experiences with financial aid here at Albany Law, and her internship with the New York State Office of General Services this past summer.

That is only the start too!

Financial Aid at Albany Law School: https://www.albanylaw.edu/applications-admissions/financial-aid

Women’s Law Caucus: https://www.albanylaw.edu/student-experience-support/student-organizations

Family Violence Litigation Clinic: https://www.albanylaw.edu/the-justice-center/family-violence-litigation-clinic

Career and Professional Development Center: https://www.albanylaw.edu/about/career-and-professional-development-center