Report highlights law firms’ diversity struggles
The legal profession has stagnated in its diversity efforts, and black attorneys are the least represented at every rung of a private practice’s hierarchy. A new report from Law360 shows that at every level of a typical law firm, minority attorney representation grew by less than 1 percentage point from a year ago. And while […]
Sheila Gaddis receives Bridge Builder Award
The Rochester Black Bar Association continues to demonstrate its dedication to building bridges and breaking down barriers in the community. The Bridge Builder Award, now in its seventh year, was presented to Sheila A. Gaddis on Thursday at a “Bridges to Success” networking event held at the First Federal Plaza. RBBA President Duwaine Bascoe (Woods […]
RBBA President’s Message: Congress needs to keep funding Legal Service Corporation
There are times in every nation’s development wherein the citizens must assess the values they seek to promote. Joe Biden once said, “Don’t tell me what you value, show me your budget and I’ll tell you what you value.” In that light President Donald Trump released his preliminary 2018 budget proposal last month to a […]
RBBA President’s Message: Stay engaged to move forward on racial equality
This week I had the conversation that most African-American parents at some point or another have to have with their child. No, not the birds and the bees; the talk regarding race in America, his place in it, and how to interact with police officers. It’s a talk I was given as a preteen and […]
Legal community struggles to increase diversity
Imagine being arrested and dragged into court, surrounded by lawyers, judges and staff who all speak a different language, conducting all the proceedings involved in your case, while you stand confused and hopeless. Duwaine T. Bascoe, president of the Rochester Black Bar Association, said that’s what it can be like for people of color in […]
RBBA President’s Message: Criticisms of diversity CLE proposal without merit
As many of you are aware, New York state court officials are considering amending the mandatory continuing legal education (“CLE”) requirements by imposing an obligatory one-credit course addressing diversity, inclusion, and the elimination of bias. Now, while our own Monroe County Bar Association has voted unanimously to support this effort, this initiative has seen a […]
State might require diversity and inclusion CLE
Attorneys in New York may soon be required to get what some call sensitivity training. New York state court officials are considering a new proposal to require lawyers to complete a one-hour CLE every two years on the topic of diversity, inclusion and the elimination of bias. The New York City and New York State […]
Duwaine Bascoe’s path to the law first took a detour
Duwaine Bascoe, litigation associate at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, certainly doesn’t have much free time. Bascoe and his wife have four children who keep them both quite busy. Bascoe is also president-elect of the Rochester Black Bar Association and vice chair of the Monroe County Bar Association’s diversity committee. Not enough yet? Outside of the […]
Case Digests
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Attorney misconduct: Opinion 22-164
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Independently written bench book: Opinion 22-163
- Fourth Department – Suppression: People v. Saeli
- Second Circuit – RICO: Horn v. Medical Marijuana Inc.
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Uncompensated interview: Opinion 22-159
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Uncompensated guest speaker: Opinion 22-158
- Fourth Department – Negligent performance: Rosenthal v. Syracuse University, et al.
- Second Circuit – Visual Artists Rights Act: Kerson v. Vermont Law School Inc.
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Former foreclosure referee: Opinion 22-157
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – College honorarium: Opinion 22-156
- Second Circuit – Reasonable accommodation: Tafolla v. Heilig
- Fourth Department – Labor Law: Primisch v. Peroxychem LLC
Law News
- Appeals court upholds Supreme Court ruling
- Assistant district attorney appointed City Court judge by Rochester mayor
- Murder conviction affirmed despite trial judge error
- NY appeals court upholds conviction in burglary case
- Federal lawsuit reinstated against jail officer over strip search, delayed release
- Hyzon to pay $25M penalty to settle alleged fraud charges by SEC
- NY appeals court reinstates lawsuit over contract to remove snow
- Fourth Department affirms $400K judgment in contract dispute