Professor Ron Filler (left) led a lively discussion at a Careers in Financial Services Compliance panel on July 9th. It was the first event in this year’s City Bar Summer Series. 

On June 20th, the 2014 legislative session came to a close in New York State. The City Bar's Legislative Affairs Department had another active session, advocating for an ambitious agenda. Two bills long supported by the City Bar achieved passage: an increase in the number of Family Court judges statewide, which will bring nine new judges to New York City, and the legalization of medical marijuana. Both bills have been signed into law by the Governor. Our advocacy also paid off when two bills proposed by the City Bar's committees passed both houses of the legislature: the first will clarify and harmonize New York laws related to guide, hearing and service dogs, and the second will modernize Articles 1, 7 and 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code. Both bills await delivery to the Governor for his action. In addition, six bills supported by our committees passed both houses, covering topics such as animal law, trusts and estates, and civil procedure.

Look for our full advocacy wrap up in the Fall 44th Street Notes Newsletter. For continuing legislative updates, check out the City Bar's Legislative Affairs page and follow our social media accounts.

Military Justice System
Perception is critical to the proper functioning of any justice system, and for the military justice system there is a twofold scrutiny: first, the system needs to be perceived as just by servicemen and servicewomen subject to that system; and second, it must be perceived as just in the eyes of the public. Recently, public confidence has deteriorated in regard to the military justice system, which must modernize in a way that allows it to become more aligned with civilian definitions of justice. In its report, Recommendations to the Military Justice Review Group on Ways to Improve the Military Justice System, the Committee on Military Affairs and Justice offers twelve recommendations to address perceived shortcomings in the military justice system.

Electronic Cigarettes
In a joint letter to The Food and Drug Administration, the Committees on Bioethical Issues and Health Law expressed support for a Proposed Rule which would allow The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate the sale and distribution of electronic cigarettes and other related products under the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act of 2009. The Rule would allow the FDA to deem electronic cigarettes tobacco products, thereby subjecting them to regulations including age-related restrictions on access as well as restrictions on advertising and promotion.

International Violence Against Women Act
In a letter to Congress, the Committees on African Affairs, Domestic Violence, and Sex and Law expressed support for the International Violence Against Women Act (I-VAWA). The I-VAWA is designed to prevent and respond to the widespread and egregious violence against girls and women that afflicts communities and countries across the globe—including domestic violence, rape, acid burnings, so-called honor killings, trafficking of young girls, forced marriage, abduction of children and other gross violations of human rights. The I-VAWA, the report argues, is an investment in a future where violence and abuse are no longer perpetrated against women and girls.

Conviction Integrity Review Procedures
In a letter to the Kings County District Attorney, the Committee on Criminal Law praised the significant steps taken by the Kings County DA's Office to address wrongful convictions through the recently expanded and reorganized Conviction Review Unit. The letter then offered a number of recommendations for "best practices" for the Unit, including: standards for review, information sharing and disclosure, effective and independent investigations and resource allocation.

The Military Affairs and Justice Committee is focused on matters affecting the armed forces of the United States. The committee regularly sends observers to Guantanamo Bay to attend the terror trials. This past year the committee hosted the General Counsel and Deputy Chief of Staff of the Department of Veteran Affairs, military and civilian defense counsel for several high profile detainees in GTMO, a senior intelligence officer, the military fellows of the Council on Foreign Relations, and more. More recently, at the invitation of the Deputy General Counsel of the Department of Defense, the committee wrote a report on ways to reform the Military Justice System. The committee is seeking members interested in participating in these kinds of activities. Please contact the incoming Chair of the Committee, Michael Richter, at mrichter@jhany.com, or the incoming Secretary, Rena Seth, at rena.seth@gmail.com, if you are interested in joining.

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