Third-party practice after the AVOID Act: What defense counsel and claims professionals must know now
New York's "Avoiding Vexatious Overuse of Impleading to Delay" (AVOID) Act represents the most significant change to third-party practice in decades.
Is the rule of law failing? Legal professionals weigh in
In my last article, I shared access to justice statistics from the 8am 2026 Legal Industry Report. 1,300 legal professionals offered their perspectives on the effectiveness of current efforts to bridge the justice gap.
A new wrinkle in video authentication in New York
The New York Court of Appeals, in an opinion featuring the sharpest dissents in years, appears to have charted a new rule for video identification in our courts.
The emerging challenge to evidence authentication in the age of deepfake
Commentary: Deepfake poses a unique threat because it is increasingly difficult to detect, which will likely pass the low standard for authentication.
Lessons learned: Advice to young lawyers, Part II
Commentary: Find a mentor that will do more teach you how to navigate the firm or legal technique. Most firms these days assign mentors to young lawyers. If necessary, find an informal unassigned mentor.
Lessons learned: Advice to young lawyers | Commentary
Commentary: I want to share the lessons I learned by watching great lawyers, bad lawyers, and a few lawyers who really should have chosen another profession, possibly something involving quiet rooms and padded walls.
The choice we’re making about AI | Commentary
AI's impact on US workplaces depends on training and maintaining human connections. Poor implementation risks productivity and increases worker loneliness.
Rochester’s connection to birthright citizenship
Birthright citizenship – whether all children born in the United States are citizens of the country under the 14th Amendment – is before the Supreme Court.
Anti-Semitism and the First Amendment | Commentary
Within a few days after his inauguration, President Trump issued Executive Order 14188, declaring that “it shall be the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all […]
Breaking cardiac care barriers: The urgent need for a STEMI bypass law in New York
Every year, thousands of Americans suffer heart attacks that strike without warning, thereby leaving precious minutes to determine whether they survive.
MCBA speaks out in support of judicial independence
Recent attacks in the local news on judicial decision-making in Rochester highlight the need to reaffirm the importance of an independent judiciary. When a judge is attacked for a legal […]
Remove systemic barriers in affordable housing
Rochester and Monroe County are facing a housing crisis that impacts all of us, whether you’re a low-income renter, a working parent struggling to live near your job or kid’s school, or a small business owner watching your employees commute from farther and farther away.
Case Digests
- Fourth Department – Assault: People v. Talley
- Court of Appeals – Family Court Act: Abdoch v. Abdoch
- Second Circuit – Medicaid: Bellin v. McDonald
- Fourth Department – Family Court: Sprague v. Younes
- Second Circuit – False Claims Act: United States of America v. Amazon.com Inc.
- Fourth Department – Notice of claim: Jarrod W.S. v. Jordan-Elbridge CSD, et al.
- Western District Case Notes
- Second Circuit – Distribution of a controlled substance: United States v. Parasmo
- Fourth Department – Default: April I.O. v. Taylor, et al.
- Fourth Department – Murder: People v. McCullough
- Fourth Department – Termination of trust: HSBC Bank USA, N.A. Trustee v. Campbell
Law News
- NY judge rejects motion to collect on Iowa court judgment
- Bronx prosecutor misses filing deadline by 12 seconds
- Second-degree murder count reversed, leaving first-degree conviction
- Court of Appeals ends foster care program
- Experts highlight tax and regulatory changes
- NY appeals court reinstates robbery indictment
- Court of Appeals affirms convictions despite tainted transcript
- Phillips Lytle names new Rochester office leader















