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| November/December 2024 | BAEC Bulletin
BAEC Bulletin | November/December 2024 |
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COMMITTEES OF THE BAEC COMMITTEE ON GRIEVANCES Chair: David G. Brock
COMMITTEES OF THE BAEC
HISTORY COMMITTEE Chair: Michelle Parker The History Committee is dedicated to the publicizing and preservation of the rich history of the Western New York legal community.
COMMITTEE TO ASSIST LAWYERS WITH DEPRESSION The Committee will coordinate, assist and support activities and resources dedicated to assisting lawyers in the Association who suffer from depression. The Committee on Grievances, as directed by the 8th District Attorney Grievance Committee reviews, investigates, and disposes of certain client complaints against their attorneys. For more information, please refer to the Public Services Section under Attorney Grievance Help of the BAEC website. All communication from the public about a grievance must be directed to the BAEC Executive Director Anne M. Noble or Dispute Settlement Tribunal Assistant Leslie Housh at 716-852-8687.
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE Chair: Sharon Nosenchuck | Vice Chair: Heather R. Abraham
The Human Rights Committee is concerned with human rights of people. In the past, the committee has examined the conditions of local jails, followed local cases that have human rights implications and heard from experts on the problems of refugees. JUDGES COMMITTEE Chair: Hon. Deborah A. Chimes | Vice Chair: Hon. Brenda M. Freedman The Judges' Committee promotes discussion and interchange of ideas in connection with issues of interest and concern to the judiciary.
CRIMINAL LAW COMMITTEE Board Liaison: John P. Feroleto
The Criminal Law Committee are attorneys primarily engaged in criminal practice, both defense and prosecution, who consider matters which impact on the criminal justice system and the practice of criminal law. The committee considers matters referred to it by the Board of Directors. The committee also presents CLE programs through the Erie Institute of Law and provides lecturers for the Stop-DWI assemblies.
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE Chair: Daniel M. Killelea | Vice Chair: James P. Harrington
The Judiciary Committee investigates and evaluates the qualifications of candidates for judicial office in Erie County. The ratings are made public to assist voters in selecting their choices in the general election each November.
DISABILITY LAW COMMITTEE Chair: Sarah Frederick
DIVERSITY & INCLUSION COMMITTEE Chair: Stephanie J. Calhoun | Vice Chair: Brianna Shareef The mission of the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee is: (1) to educate our legal community concerning the importance of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion; (2) to support sustainable programs that foster, build, and develop a diverse legal community; and (3) to ensure the Bar Association of Erie County promotes inclusion and provides significant opportunities for personal and professional growth for all. The Disability Law Committee serves the interests of persons with disabilities by: 1) educating the legal community about the special needs of the disabled; 2) encouraging the legal representation of the disabled; 3) advocating for accessibility of services; and 4) advocating for the rights of disabled persons by monitoring legislative and judicial trends.
LABOR LAW COMMITTEE Chair: Christina Akers-DiCenzo | Vice Chair: Stephanie “Cole” Adams
The Labor Law Committee consists of attorneys involved in all aspects of labor and employment law. This includes employment discrimination law and private and public sector labor and management relations. The monthly meetings tend to be educational, usually featuring a presentation by a committee member or an outside guest speaker. LGBTQIA+ COMMITTEE Chair: Andrew Freedman | Vice Chair: Neil Pawlowski The LGBTQIA+ Committee’s goal is to foster a sense of connection and belonging for the LGBTQIA+ legal community and its allies within the 8th Judicial District.
ELDER LAW COMMITTEE Chair: Elizabeth A. Ingold
MATRIMONIAL AND FAMILY LAW COMMITTEE Chair: Donna Haslinger | Vice Chair: Shari Jo Reich
The Elder Law Committee shares information among members and the public regarding issues of major concern to the elderly and practitioners representing them. Such issues include access to health care, Medicaid, asset planning, housing, community resources and institutional placement, pension benefits, health care decision making, private and Medicare health insurance, administrative proceedings, attorneys' fees, veterans' benefits, and exploitation of the elderly.
The Matrimonial and Family Law Committee is one of the largest and most active committees of the Bar Association. Committee activities include monthly meetings featuring discussions of new substantive law, court rules and guest speakers on topics relevant to the practice. Seminars featuring presentations by experts on issues important to matrimonial practitioners are held annually.
FEDERAL PRACTICE COMMITTEE Chair: Daniel J. Brady
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Chair: Jennifer M. Kimura
The Federal Practice Committee fosters an ongoing dialogue with the members of the federal judiciary who sit in this district. Each fall, the committee holds a dinner attended by all district, magistrate and bankruptcy judges from both Buffalo and Rochester. Meetings often consist of an informal discussion with one of the members of the federal bench. The committee provides regular input with respect to proposed changes to the Local Rules of Practice for the district, and conducts one major seminar each year.
The primary focus of the Membership Committee is ensuring that each and every member of the BAEC feels welcome and connected to their fellow members and to the work the BAEC is doing. They are committed to ensuring members get the most out of their membership.
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