Buffalo lawyer recommended for Monroe County public defender
Sabrina LaMar is recommending Buffalo criminal defense attorney Robert Ross Fogg to become the new Monroe County public defender.
Relief on the way for overworked public defenders
The New York state Office of Indigent Legal Services (ILS) has established new, dramatically lower, standards for the number of cases a public defense lawyer can be expected to handle. The new limits could be in effect statewide by 2023, as long as state lawmakers provide the necessary funding. According to an ILS report released […]
Judge denies appointed counsel over imputed income
Acting state Supreme Court Justice Richard A. Dollinger has decided that a well-educated but unemployed man facing jail time for contempt in a child custody case does not qualify for an appointed counsel because he has the potential to earn enough money to pay for his own lawyer. In the 42-page decision released Friday, Dollinger […]
Judge questions man’s indigent status
While state Supreme Court Justice Richard Dollinger is requiring a defendant, in one case, to prove that he qualifies for an appointed attorney at no cost, the Fourth Department found that the same man qualifies for an appointed counsel in an appeal of a decision by Dollinger in a related matter. The circumstances raise questions […]
Somes recognized for delivering justice
Reversals in two Monroe County criminal cases are being touted by a Webster-based organization in its quest to right or prevent injustice. Both were handled by Janet C. Somes, an assistant Monroe County public defender, who has been selected by It Could Happen To You to receive its Public Servant of Justice Award. “She first […]
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics — Public Defender: Joint Opinion 13-124/13-125/13-128/13-129
NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics Public Defender Indigent Counsel Program Joint Opinion 13-124/13-125/13-128/13-129 Background: Four judges asked about their ethical obligations in light of a new program by which the state of New York has awarded grant money to 25 counties to provide indigent criminal defendants with counsel at their initial court appearances. The judges […]
Ontario public defender to open satellite office
The Ontario County Public Defender’s Office soon will have more of a presence in both of the cities that lie within the county’s borders. A grand opening could be held in March to officially open a satellite office in Geneva, although attorneys will begin using the office sooner, according to Public Defender Leanne Lapp. “It […]
Ontario Co. must pay to defend Kidera
Mediation is the next step for a case an Ontario County employee brought against the county and its former public defender. U.S. District Judge Charles J. Siragusa, for the Western District of New York, issued an order Jan. 24, finding the case of Stefanie N. Lang v. Thomas J. Kidera and Ontario County, (11-cv-6603) is […]
Committee on Professional Ethics — Public Defender: Opinion 935
NYSBA Committee on Professional Ethics Public Defender Private Practice Opinion 935 Background: The inquiring attorney is an appointed public defender that has a staff including part-time and full-time assistants. The public defender created a practice policy for both the full-time and part-time attorneys that permit them to practice law privately in criminal or civil cases […]
Public defender training comes to county
The Monroe County Public Defender’s Office is one of 12 in the country that will host young attorneys in a new fellowship program designed to improve representation of indigent defendants. An initial class of 18 Public Defender Corps members ...
Ontario names new public defender
Leanne Lapp is the new public defender in Ontario County. Her appointment was unanimously approved Thursday by the Ontario County Board of Supervisors. “I think it’s an outstanding appointment,” said County Administrator Geoffrey Astles.
MCBA recommends picks for defender be merit-based
The county public defender should be independently selected based on merit and the appointment process should be kept out of the political arena. That is the recommendation of the Public Defender Task Force of the Monroe County Bar Association ...
Case Digests
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Review of another judge’s actions: Opinion 22-153
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Charitable contributions: Opinion 22-150
- Second Circuit – Class action settlement: Moses v. The New York Times Company
- Fourth Department – Breach of contract: Hausrath Landscape Maintenance Inc. v. Caravan Facilities Management LLC
- Second Circuit – New York Child Victim’s Act: Kane v. Mount Pleasant CSD; Coe v. Eastport Union Free School
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Appointing law clerk: Opinion 22-149
- Fourth Department – Bill of particulars: Harris v. Rome Memorial Hospital, et al.
- NYS Advisory Committee on Judicial Ethics – Accusations against co-judge: Opinion 22-148
- Fourth Department – Medicaid: Washington Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Home v. NYS Dept. of Health
- Fourth Department – Criminal possession of a firearm: People v. Wilson
- Fourth Department – Promoting prostitution: People v. Watts
- Second Circuit – Class certification: Arkansas Teachers Retirement System V. Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Law News
- Fourth Department affirms $400K judgment in contract dispute
- Could legislation limiting non-compete agreements kick off a new era of workplace disputes?
- Fourth Department affirms decision in NY property dispute
- Greenlight Networks selects Buffalo-based attorney as general counsel
- Barclay Damon hires attorney Matt Smith
- Rochester man sues Geneseo police, alleging false arrest, assault
- The Daily Record’s Power List for Intellectual Property 2023
- NY ethics panel says judges can join NRA