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| November/December 2024 | BAEC Bulletin
BAEC Bulletin | November/December 2024 |
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The BAEC Board of Directors meets monthly and has been busy this fall. Below are some important updates. Please contact Lauren E. Breen (lbreen@nls.org), Brian M. Melber (bmm@personiusmelber.com), or Anne M. Noble (anoble@eriebar.org) if you have any questions or suggestions. LGBTQIA+ Committee As a result of the Board’s vote in October, the LGBTQIA+ Working Group is now a Committee of the BAEC. Andrew J. Freedman and Neil A. Pawlowski are the Chairpersons. The Committee will establish a meeting schedule for the new year. You can join the Committee by visiting eriebar.org, logging into your profile, and selecting “Your Committees.” All are welcome. Equity Audit Working Group The Equity Audit Working Group is charged with guiding the BAEC through an Equity Audit to help the Association better serve all its members. The Working Group has selected the Clementine Gold Group to assist with the Audit, a recommendation approved by the Board on December 4, 2024. Please contact Working Group Co- Chairs Carmen L. Snell (carmen.snell@highmark.com) or Sarah M. Washington (washingtons@natfuel.com) if you have any questions. Assigned Counsel Working Group The Board appointed the following individuals to serve on the BAEC’s Assigned Counsel Working Group. Ste- phen C. Earnhart, James L. Harrington, Katie Kestel Martin, Maura O’Donnell, Brian M. Melber and Kevin W. Sp- itler. Maura O’Donnell (mauraod12@gmail.com) is the Chairperson of the Working Group. The BAEC is the sole member of the Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society and has enumerated rights and responsi- bilities in the Society’s Bylaws. At this time, the BAEC Working Group is gathering member feedback regarding the Assigned Counsel Program and will assist the Board as needed in connection with Erie County’s analysis of the current structure of the Assigned Counsel Program. Other Board Action The Bar Association of Erie County is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion and being a trusted voice in the legal community. In line with this commitment, the BAEC has recently endeavored to promote equity among candidates for the New York State Bar Examination. The New York State Bar Examination is offered at four locations across the state, including Buffalo, New York. However, the Buffalo Bar Examination location does not offer non-standard testing accommodations (“NTAs”) for candidates. Examples of NTAs include extended time, live test readers, additional breaks, and reduced distrac- tion settings. NTAs are only offered at the test centers in New York City and Albany. As a result, candidates seeking admission in the Fourth Judicial Department and who require NTAs must often travel to Albany or New York City. This poses undue stress and financial burdens for candidates already struggling for equity in the Bar Examination process, particularly those located in Western New York. BAEC BOARD OF DIRECTORS UPDATE
On October 22, 2024, the Board of Directors passed its resolution to advocate for the expansion of New York State Bar Exam NTAs to include a Buffalo, New York testing location. This resolution was spearheaded by Director Cheyeene Freeley. In response to the Board’s Resolution, the BOLE has decided to offer NTAs in Buf- falo beginning with the July 2025 Bar Examination The BAEC looks forward to collaborating with the BOLE to secure a testing location for Bar Exam candi- dates requiring NTAs. The Board thanks member Ron LaPort, a dedicated advocate, for their commitment to this cause and willingness to trust the BAEC with this critical advocacy. We welcome partnership and collabo- ration with our fellow advocates and bar associations to make our shared legal community a more equitable and accessible space for all.
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