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Presented by the City Bar's African Affairs Committee, host Justin Loveland, a commercial litigator who previously served as a legal consultant to Seychelles' Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission, is joined by four leading voices in transitional justice who have worked on or alongside truth commissions across the continent: Professor Ron Slye (Kenya and South Africa), the Honorable Bernard Georges (Seychelles), and Didier Gbery and Dr. Baba Jallow (The Gambia). The panel discusses the legal standards truth commissions rely on and how formal findings differ from narrative truth. Panelists then compare what worked and what didn't in their own countries, from the Gambia's live-broadcast hearings and Kenya's women-only hearings to Seychelles' stalled follow-through, along with challenges like witness protection and cultural silence around sexual violence. The conversation closes on reparations: who should pay, whether perpetrators can be required to compensate victims, how The Gambia delivered interim relief while its commission was still hearing testimony, and why repair may extend well beyond money. 03:29 What Is Transitional Justice? 06:42 Legal Standards for Truth Commissions 13:41 The Gambia: Successes and Challenges 17:42 Building a National Conversation in the Gambia 21:07 Seychelles: A Unanimous Start, a Stalled Finish 24:23 Kenya: Women-Only Hearings and a Hidden Archive 32:12 Creating a Constituency for Reform 36:01 The Question of Reparations 41:00 Who Should Pay? Comparing Approaches 44:21 The Gambia's Reparations Act and Interim Relief 53:15 Reparations Beyond Money 56:21 Closing Thoughts

Our episode today features Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee members Robye Margolius (director of wellbeing at Arnold & Porter) and Jordana Confino (founder and CEO of JC Coaching and Consulting). They discuss social wellbeing as a powerful but overlooked dimension of lawyer wellbeing, defined as having meaningful, supportive relationships and a sense of connection and contribution. Robye and Jordana outline research linking social support to happiness, life satisfaction, reduced depression and anxiety, and improved physical health, and cite workplace findings that belonging boosts performance and retention. The conversation explores barriers in legal culture such as time pressure, transactional interactions, invulnerability norms, autonomy needs, and perfectionism, plus the effects of billable-hour incentives, hybrid work, phones, and AI on connection and mentorship. Robye and Jordana offer practical individual strategies (micro-connections, recurring touchpoints, presence, boundaries) and organizational actions (leadership modeling, rituals, mentorship, monitoring workload, recognition), and highlight City Bar committees, events, and the Lawyers Assistance Program as connection resources. Want to take a first step to improving your sense of social well-being? Join the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee on October 1 for a Japanese Tea Gathering. Go to nycbar.org/events to learn more and to register. 02:02 Defining Connection 04:30 Science of Flourishing 08:45 Why Connection Feels Hard 09:14 Sandcastle Trust Building 14:29 Billable Hour Reality 19:10 Culture and Perfectionism 25:30 Support Changes Perception 28:46 AI and Human Skills 32:47 Practical Connection Habits 35:27 Micro Moments and Weak Ties 38:14 Match Your Social Battery 39:10 Small Discomfort Wins 43:00 Low Hanging Outreach 44:25 Phone Free Presence 51:27 Boundaries and Capacity 54:06 Culture Change Levers 01:02:02 Managers Shape Safety 01:06:09 Bar Associations as Third Places 01:10:43 One Small Action

Lorraine McGowen brings us today’s podcast from the City Bar’s Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies. The discussion covers expanding legal use cases (research, drafting, due diligence, e-discovery, deposition and hearing prep, judicial chambers), ROI concerns due to verification burdens, and persistent hallucination risks. Panelists emphasize “trust nothing and verify everything,” including checking citations, quotations, and whether law remains good. We review ethics and court-rule developments (New York Part 161; proposed California SB 574), sanctions trends, confidentiality and privilege risks from public AI tools, client restrictions and protocol controls, record retention and supervision frameworks, international implications such as the EU AI Act’s risk categories and penalties, and the need for AI literacy and ongoing training. Lorraine McGowen is Co-Chair of City Bar’s Task Force and a Partner at Orrick, Herrington and Sutcliffe. She is joined by these experts in the field: Maura Grossman – Research Professor, School of Computer Science, University of Waterloo David Keyko – Partner, Pillsbury, Winthrop, Shaw, Pittman Sabina Ahmed Liconte – Head of Legal and Chief Compliance Officer, the Americas, ICBC Standard Bank Group Adele Hogan – Partner, Hogan Law Associates Ann Heo – Co-Chief of Discovery Compliance and Litigation Unit and Chief of the Prescription Drug Investigations Unit, Officer of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor for the City of New York Kristin Baylis – Senior Technology Counsel, Orrick 00:00 Why AI Matters Now 03:08 Meet the Expert Panel 05:56 AI Use Cases Explosion 08:36 ROI and Productivity Wins 10:23 Hallucinations and Prompting 12:16 Will Hallucinations Disappear 13:38 Training and Trial Sim Tools 15:07 Ethics Rules and Sanctions 23:03 Court Orders and Disclosures 25:34 International Impact EU AI Act 34:59 Client Disclosure and Engagements 37:43 Firm Protocols and Controls 43:08 Technical Guardrails for Clients 45:45 AI Disclosure Duties 46:47 Joint Defense Protocols 47:49 Public Tools Pitfalls 51:23 Enterprise Versus Public 53:44 Transactional Verification 01:03:39 Litigation AI Sensitivities 01:08:18 Confidentiality Guardrails 01:14:58 Agentic AI Vendor Risks 01:20:09 In House Versus Firms 01:27:24 Key Takeaways Closing

The horrific attacks on September 11, 2001, left New York City in dire need of help. Families were searching for missing loved ones, and those who lost loved ones could not access support without a death certificate. Small businesses and street vendors in Lower Manhattan lost their livelihoods overnight. Immigrants were targeted and detained. The legal needs were tremendous, varied, and urgent, and the legal community stepped up. On this inaugural episode of the 44th Street Podcast, marking the 25th anniversary of 9/11, host and City Bar President Matthew Diller reflects on the unprecedented volume of pro bono legal service that followed the attacks. He is joined by three lawyers — Anthony Crowell, Maria Imperial, and Janet Sabel — who helped lead the response. They share stories from that work, about the City Bar's role as a coordinating hub for volunteers and legal service providers across the city, the family assistance center at Pier 94, the triage system built at the Metropolitan Detention Center, and the innovative use of the internet to expand outreach. They also reflect on the emotional cost of the work and what it taught them about the profession's capacity to show up when needed.

Pema Sherpa is a mindfulness researcher and keynote speaker who helps organizations boost employee well-being and performance. Born and raised in Nepal, she studied the mind-body relationship at Harvard University and teaches mindfulness in a way that's both philosophically grounded and useful for people in demanding careers. She co-authored The Daily Buddhist with her husband, pairing short, daily teachings with practical, modern application. Presented by the City Bar's Mindfulness & Well-Being in Law Committee, Pema talks with committee members Katiuska Moure and Nancy Batterman about her upbringing, her path into mindfulness research, and some practical keys lawyers and law students can use to build healthier daily habits even before they're ready to meditate. Selected Links from the Episode: The Daily Buddhist (book): https://thedailybuddhist.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daily.buddhist/ 00:00 Introduction 02:02 Pema's Journey 06:28 Harvard and Career Pivot 08:54 Immigrant Law Student Challenges 12:38 Tools for Students 16:44 Bringing Resilience into Legal Practice 20:09 Body Basics and the Nervous System 24:30 "Work With What You Have" 30:21 Meditation Isn't the Entry Point 33:28 Daily Buddhist Resources 39:44 Closing Thoughts and Committee Resources

Katherine Hughes hosts the latest podcast from the City Bar’s Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies. She is joined by WashU Law Dean Stefanie Lindquist and AI Collaborative Co-Director Oliver Roberts to discuss how generative AI is reshaping law school teaching, assessment, and professional preparation.

Dean Lindquist describes her wake-up call about student AI use, making AI a central dean priority, forming an AI task force, partnering with Roberts, and hiring an LLM engineer to support experimentation and tool-building. Roberts traces early experiences with hallucinated citations and argues AI education must go beyond AI regulation to hands-on tool use across legal workflows, core terminology, tool selection, and explicit ethics (competence, confidentiality, supervision, and overreliance).

They discuss institutional guardrails such as eliminating take-home exams, using simulations, workflow-based pedagogy, and new assessment ideas like oral exams and quizzing students on submitted work. They also note scholarship and journal pressures and conclude that lawyers who can’t use AI will be replaced by those who can.

02:13 Why AI Became Institutional 03:50 Oliver’s AI Origin Story 05:34 Faculty Misconceptions 07:26 JD Learning Outcomes 09:58 Core AI Competencies 13:04 Schoolwide Guardrails 16:56 Teaching Ethics through Scenarios 21:19 Hidden Ethics Pitfalls 23:56 Rethinking Assessment 27:10 Drafting and Disclosure 32:05 Workflows In Practice 35:41 Handling Faculty Skepticism 38:08 AI In Clinics 40:10 Scholarship And Journals 43:05 Closing Advice

Environmental lawyer and Animal Law Committee member Robin Happel hosts a discussion on noise pollution and noise law with Jamie Banks of Quiet Communities and ocean noise researcher Vanessa ZoBell. Jamie explains how chronic leaf-blower and land-care noise led her to found Quiet Communities. She describes gaps in federal, state, and local noise regulation, focusing on the 1972 Noise Control Act, the rise and 1982 defunding of EPA’s Office of Noise Abatement and Control, and Quiet Communities’ lawsuit to reactivate the program. Vanessa outlines major ocean noise sources (commercial shipping and seismic air-gun surveys) and impacts on marine life, including stress, masking, behavioral changes, and examples such as post-9/11 stress hormone reductions in right whales and sonar-linked beaked whale strandings. They discuss challenges of relying on A-weighted averages, low-frequency noise, communication barriers, voluntary and incentive-based programs, electrification of equipment, vessel speed reduction benefits, and long-term California soundscape findings tied to economic events and marine heatwaves, plus vulnerable human populations and environmental justice concerns. 00:42 Jamie on Quiet Communities 04:17 Vanessa on Ocean Acoustics 06:19 Major Ocean Noise Sources 08:34 Noise Control Act History 13:30 How Noise Harms Marine Life 18:23 Ecological Impacts on Land 20:34 Rethinking Noise Metrics 27:14 Shipping Slowdown Success 33:48 Incentives and Federal Tools 40:31 Decadal Soundscape Study 46:29 Vulnerable Groups and Justice

In this episode, a panel of legal experts discusses the different approaches taken by the Second and Ninth Circuits on two key areas of copyright law: substantial similarity and the Server Test. Presented by the New York City Bar Association’s Copyright & Literary Property and Entertainment Law Committees, the panel explores recent and emerging case law and the Second and Ninth Circuits’ divergent approaches to analyzing substantial similarity, a key element of copyright infringement, as well as the ongoing debate surrounding the Server Test, which addresses whether the posting of online content constitutes a “display” within the meaning of the Copyright Act. Moderated by Dwayne Amos, Associate at Kasowitz LLP, the episode features a panel of leading copyright litigators and experts, including: • Barry Werbin, Counsel, Herrick Feinstein LLP • Aaron Moss, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp LLP and author of the Copyright Lately blog • Marc Lebowitz, Principal, Lebowitz Law Office • James Bartolomei, Of Counsel, Duncan Firm The wide-ranging discussion covers the practical implications of these divergent approaches for copyright owners, litigators, content creators, online platforms, forum selection, free speech, and the application of copyright law nationwide. This episode was produced by Jose Landivar, Senior Associate at Coates IP LLP, with contributions from Philippa Loengard, Executive Director, Kernochan Center for Law, Media and the Arts and Lecturer in Law at Columbia Law School, and support from the New York City Bar Association Communications Team. Copyright Lately: Creative Law for Curious People – www.copyrightlately.com

Tiffany Smith (WilmerHale) speaks with Beth Haddock (Warburton Advisers) and Boaz Goldwater (Davis Polk) about Treasury’s notice of proposed rulemaking implementing the Genius Act’s framework for regulating payment stablecoins, focusing on guidance for state regimes to qualify as “substantially similar” to the federal approach. This podcast episode from the City Bar’s Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies compares the dual federal/state structure to banking and securities regulation, and describes “uniform” requirements versus areas with limited state calibration (e.g., capital, liquidity, supervisory procedures). We discuss the inter-agency stablecoin certification review committee’s discretion, challenges from evolving OCC standards, and the ten billion outstanding issuance threshold that triggers transition to OCC supervision while retaining state oversight, with possible waivers for certain pre-existing state regimes. We highlight key ambiguities for issuers, including moving federal benchmarks, supervisory capacity, and unresolved capital/liquidity measurement issues. 01:38 Genius Act Rulemaking Overview 03:08 Dual Federal State Framework 04:17 Why a State Pathway 09:31 State Discretion in Practice 11:31 Managing Moving Goalposts 13:34 Certification Review Committee 15:56 Reserve Capital Liquidity Rules 19:05 Crossing the 10 Billion Threshold 23:42 Supervision and Enforcement Capacity 25:33 Choosing State vs Federal Oversight 28:20 Open Questions and Comment Priorities

In this episode, beloved City Bar figure Richard Tuske reflects on his remarkable 50-year journey with the City Bar Law Library, from starting as a page in 1972 to serving today as Senior Director of Library Operations on the eve of retirement. Along the way, he shares vivid stories with Legal History Committee Chair Abigail Nitka on the library’s transformation into one of the most prominent legal libraries in the world—from towering stacks to the dawn of digital research and early Westlaw and Lexis—along with behind-the-scenes anecdotes on the history of City Bar membership, unusual research requests, the auction of a remarkable rare-books collection, a failed merger attempt, and the library’s technological evolution. 00:00 Podcast Welcome  01:03 Early Page Years  07:30 From Stacks To Screens  14:53 Computer Revolution Begins  19:05 Unusual Research Request  25:24 Famous City Bar Members Spotlight  30:18 Salt Mines Preservation  33:36 What Remains Today  36:59 Computers Transform Research  41:08 Library Merger Attempt  43:52 Rare Books Collection & Auction  51:30 Future Library After Retirement  58:29 Legacy and Farewell 

The City Bar’s Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies dives deep into the six pillars of President Trump’s March 2026 Cyber Strategy for America: Shape Adversary Behavior; Promote Common Sense Regulation; Modernize and Secure Federal Government Networks; Secure Critical Infrastructure; Sustain Superiority in Critical and Emerging Technologies; and Build Talent and Capacity. Task Force co-chair Jerome Walker joins Sabeena Ahmed Liconte (Head of Legal & Chief Compliance Officer, Americas at ICBC Standard Bank Group) and Alex Southwell (Partner, McDermott Will & Schulte) to discuss the “aspirational” strategy in its totality, including its offensive, defensive, and future-minded qualities, as well as its challenges and the surrounding requirements for the strategy to be successful and ensure global compliance. If you are interested in learning more about emerging AI developments and policy, join us for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Conference on June 18 to hear from industry experts and connect with leading legal professionals across the field. 00:00 Welcome and Cyber Strategy Overview 02:07 Meet the Panelists 04:44 Big Picture Reactions 12:30 Pillar One - Shape Adversary Behavior 28:28 Pillar Two - Promote Common Sense Regulation 42:19 Pillar Three - Modernize and Secure Federal Government Networks 52:22 Pillars Four & Five - Secure Critical Infrastructure & Sustain Superiority in Critical and Emerging Technologies 01:01:23 Pillar Six - Build Talent and Capacity 01:06:11 Closing Thoughts

In a special Women’s History Month episode, City Bar President Muhammad Faridi speaks with Judge Bianka Perez, an associate justice of the New York Supreme Court and president of the Supreme Court Justices Association. Judge Perez speaks about her path to the bench – her roots as a Bronx paralegal and office manager, through night classes at New York Law School, and a legal practice serving both her intellectual ambitions and her commitment to supporting her community. Perez discusses how private practice shaped her perspective on judicial empathy, how her Dominican heritage and role models influence her leadership and service, and how mentoring students is a priority. She addresses the difficulty of rulings constrained by statute and precedent, coping with the stress of judging, and defines success as making history and lifting the next generation of Latina leaders. Want to hear more from women who lead? Check out the most recent International Law Conference on the Status of Women hosted at the City Bar, where we honor the women judges who uphold justice for all with courage and integrity: https://www.nycbar.org/videos/2026-annual-international-law-conference-on-the-status-of-women/ 00:00 Welcome and Women’s History Month 00:26 Judge Perez’s Bronx Beginnings 02:04 Working Full Time in Law School 04:43 Why Private Practice Matters 06:00 Law School Through a Practitioner Lens 08:22 Opening a Storefront Practice 11:39 Dominican Roots and Bronx Service 15:36 Bar Leadership and Becoming a Judge 18:47 When the Law Ties Your Hands 21:15 Life Experience on the Bench 24:02 Choosing the Judgeship Path 27:27 Mentoring and Paying It Forward 31:38 Carrying the Work Home 34:25 Success, Advice, and Closing

New York is facing a growing mental health crisis, and the systems meant to support people are struggling to keep up. Efforts to fix an inadequate system have given rise to dueling reform proposals. Maia Goodell, Chair of the City Bar's Mental Health Law Committee, hosts today's podcast in conversation with Dr. Thomas Insel, Former Director, National Institute for Mental Health; Arvind Sooknanan, New York–based mental health advocate and civic leader; Dr. Ashwin Vasan, Former Commissioner, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene; and Ken Zimmerman, Attorney & CEO of Fountain House. They discuss existing reform efforts and explain those efforts' real-world impact, focusing on what they mean for care, public safety, and the rights of vulnerable individuals across the state. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/417gwTW

Scott Mason talks with Sara Walshe about what intuition is and how lawyers can use it to feel better, work smarter, and avoid burnout. Sara describes intuition as an immediate “knowing,” and says it can show up either as experience-based pattern recognition (like a strong BS meter built from years of practice) or as a deeper inner knowing that’s hard to explain. They discuss how to tell intuition apart from wishful thinking, how confidence can shape outcomes, and why “doom” feelings may be more about instinct and survival. Sara shares stories from studying for the bar, negotiating plea deals as a Brooklyn prosecutor, and eventually leaving law to combine yoga, mindfulness, and coaching. She emphasizes that intuition is easier to access when you feel safe, and suggests simple mindfulness tools—like slow finger rubbing paired with a deep breath—to get grounded in the moment. Want to learn more about combining mindfulness techniques with your legal practice? Get involved with the sponsor of today’s podcast, the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee! A great opportunity is coming up on March 26, join the committee’s Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Book Club (nycbar.org/calendar). Reading the book is encouraged but not required to take part in this community space. 00:00 Defining intuition 02:22 Two types of knowing 04:13 Wishful thinking vs intuition 07:21 Bar exam visualization 16:18 Using intuition in practice 19:38 Negotiation and efficiency 27:49 Office politics and EQ 30:57 Leading with intuition 34:26 Soft Skills Are Hard 35:07 Lawyer Identity Beyond Work 36:38 Connection Crisis and Screens 39:12 Marriage Lens of Intuition 40:21 When Not to Use Intuition 41:06 Intuition and Instinct Dance 49:16 Prosecutor to Coach Story 55:37 Mindfulness for Intuition 57:25 Fingertip Grounding Trick 58:45 Closing Thanks and Credits

The City Bar’s Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies hosts today’s podcast on President Trump’s:  Winning the Race, America's AI Action Plan. Task Force co-chair Jerome Walker is joined by task force members Matthew Bacal (Davis Polk), Azish Filabi (American College of Financial Services), Robert Mahari (Stanford Codex), and Evan Abrams (Steptoe), to review the plan’s three pillars and key action steps. Pillar One (“Accelerate AI Innovation”) is described as largely deregulatory, including agency review of rules and certain FTC/FCC actions, with targeted concerns such as ideological bias and synthetic media in the legal system, plus investments in open-source/open-weight models, data, interpretability, evaluations, and government/DoD adoption. Pillar Two (“Build American AI Infrastructure”) focuses on the physical side of AI—permitting for data centers and fabs, energy and grid expansion, semiconductors, water for cooling, workforce training, cybersecurity, and “security by design,” while anticipating trade-offs and litigation. Pillar Three (“Lead in International AI Diplomacy and Security”) balances support for exporting US “full stack” AI with tighter national security controls, including stronger export-control enforcement and participation in international bodies primarily to counter China. The conversation closes with suggestions for improving the plan by strengthening trust, safety/rights considerations, and maintaining flexibility as AI capabilities evolve. If you are interested in learning more about emerging AI developments and policy, join us for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Conference on June 18 to hear from industry experts and connect with leading legal professionals across the field. 00:00 Trump’s 2025 AI Action Plan: Big Goals, Short Document, 3 Pillars 03:23 Pillar One Preview: 15 Action Steps to ‘Accelerate AI Innovation’ 09:16 Meet the Panel + Setting Up the Pillar One Deep Dive 11:21 Pillar One Explained: Deregulation, Free Speech, Data Sharing, Evaluations, and Trust 18:33 Key Takeaways for Stakeholders: Business, Finance, Civil Society, and Tech 23:57 Which Pillar One Steps Matter Most? Sequencing, Competitiveness, and Data Access 27:52 Pillar Two: The Physical Side of AI—Energy, Chips, Data Centers 36:32 Critical Infrastructure Security: Physical Risks, Cyber Threats & ‘Security by Design’ 37:14 Data Poisoning Explained: How Training Data Can Be Manipulated at Scale 38:00 Workforce Training at Scale: From Trades to Semiconductor Talent Pipelines 38:52 Wrapping Pillar Two: China Competition, Speeding Projects, and Ranking Priorities 40:34 What Lawyers & Judges Need to Know About Pillar Two (Red Tape, Legal Tech, Litigation) 45:30 Pillar Three Overview: Balancing Global AI Leadership with National Security Controls 50:05 Pillar Three Priorities by Industry: Export Controls, Frontier Evaluations & Data Center Risk 58:56 Why Engage International AI Bodies? Countering China and Filling the Leadership Vacuum 01:03:20 Trump vs. Biden Narratives: Competition vs. Safety—What Should Change in the Plan? 01:07:38 Panel Advice to Improve the Action Plan: Rights Framework, Nimble Policy, Safety & Research Funding

In this episode of the New York City Bar Association podcast, host Carl Hahn from Steptoe, LLP leads a discussion on synthetic employees and the future of work. He is joined by experts Marcia Narine Weldon (Illuminating Wisdom), Geoffrey Schaefer (Leidos), and Ramsey Brown (Mission Control) to explore the implications of integrating AI-driven synthetic workers into organizations. Topics include the intersection of artificial intelligence and compliance, the role of governance in AI deployment, the potential employment law ramifications, and practical steps for managing synthetic workforces. The conversation also dives into the practical and ethical considerations companies must navigate as they incorporate these technologies, emphasizing the importance of having robust governance frameworks and multi-stakeholder committees to address risks and ensure sustainable implementation. If you are interested in learning more about emerging AI developments and policy, join us for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Conference on June 18 to hear from industry experts and connect with leading legal professionals across the field. 00:00 Introduction and Host Welcome 10:30 Defining Synthetic Employees and AI Agents 11:45 The Continuum of AI Autonomy 19:00 Legal and Governance Challenges 25:00 Organizational Integration of AI 30:00 Ethical Considerations and Coordination Challenges 40:00 Mission Control AI and Governance Case Study 48:00 Second-Order Consequences of Synthetic Workforces 55:00 Legal and Compliance Implications 1:05:00 Practical Steps for AI Integration 1:10:00 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Today's podcast hosted by the City Bar's Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies explores the ethical and legal dimensions of informed consent in AI healthcare settings. Anne Zimmerman, Chair of the City Bar’s Bioethical Issues Committee and Editor-in-Chief of the Voices in Bioethics Journal at Columbia University, Alex John London from Carnegie Mellon University and Susannah Rose from Vanderbilt University Medical Center. The discussion covers the significance of informed consent in healthcare, challenges with AI integration, patient autonomy, regulatory issues, and the balance between disclosure and effective use of AI. It also delves into potential impacts on patient care, operational uses of AI, and the importance of building trust and communication between clinicians and patients. If you are interested in learning more about emerging AI developments and policy, join us for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Conference on June 18 to hear from industry experts and connect with leading legal professionals across the field. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 01:30 Understanding Informed Consent in Healthcare 02:32 Ethical Considerations of AI in Healthcare 06:05 Challenges and Frameworks for AI Consent 06:47 AI's Impact on Clinical and Operational Settings 07:28 Patient Autonomy and AI Decision-Making 11:19 Regulatory and Safety Concerns with AI 17:12 The Role of AI in Patient Communication 18:37 Equity and Justice in AI Deployment 20:10 Future of AI in Healthcare and Concluding Thoughts 29:43 Closing Remarks and Podcast Information

In this episode, Jerome Walker, co-chair of the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, convenes Task Force subcommittee members Austin Brown, David Lisson, and Stuart Levi to examine President Trump’s December 11 Executive Order, "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence." They explore key issues, including the executive order’s implications and challenges; the evaluation of state AI laws and potential federal restrictions on state funding; the creation of an AI litigation task force; and whether this approach can effectively balance innovation with regulation. The panelists also share their perspectives on how AI policy may evolve under this new national framework. If you are interested in learning more about emerging AI developments and policy, join us for the 2026 Artificial Intelligence Conference on June 18 to hear from industry experts and connect with leading legal professionals across the field. Register at: https://services.nycbar.org/SLIT/ 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Executive Order 09:08 Challenges in Establishing a National AI Framework 15:44 Implications of the AI Litigation Task Force 34:44 Federal Funding and State AI Laws 41:32 Preemption and Deceptive Conduct in AI Models 47:01 Future Outlook 55:56 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The New York Emerging Technologies Amendments to the New York Uniform Commercial Code are the result of a multi-year collaboration between the City Bar (led by the City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence) and the Uniform Law Commission, including the New York State delegation to the Uniform Law Commission. This significant legislation modernizes the New York UCC to address advances in technology and digital assets, ensuring that New York remains the preferred jurisdiction for innovations in commerce and finance. In this episode, Task Force Co-Chair Jerome Walker sits down with City Bar stakeholders – including the City Bar Director of Advocacy (Elizabeth Kocienda) and two Uniform Law Commissioners from the Task Force (Ed Smith and Neil Cohen) – to talk about the years-long advocacy effort behind the passage of this bill, and to unpack the nuts and bolts of the bill’s changes to New York’s Uniform Commercial Code. Together we’re celebrating a victory that preserves New York’s leadership in the world of commerce and finance.

Today we delve into the intricate world of AI assessment, review and audit methodologies, focusing on international frameworks and regulatory approaches. The discussion features experts from the City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, including Azish Filabi (American College McGuire Center for Ethics and Financial Services), Rim Belaoud (Forensic Risk Alliance), Nikhil Aggarwal (Deloitte Anti Money-Laundering), Lenka Molins (Oxford Internet Institute) and Jerome Walker (Task Force Co-Chair). They explore the definitions, methodologies, and challenges of AI audits across different jurisdictions such as the US, EU, Canada, and the UK, providing perspectives on issues related to methodologies, bias, transparency, and accountability. The episode also covers practical approaches for organizations to review AI models and highlights the importance of robust AI governance in various sectors, including financial services, AML, CFT, fraud, and export controls.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast 00:50 Overview of AI Assessments, Reviews, and Audits 02:20 Key Definitions and Concepts in AI 05:44 Panelist Introductions 08:39 Discussion on Responsible and Trustworthy AI 18:33 Training AI Models and Explainability 22:33 Challenges in AI Assessments and Reviews 27:09 Global Perspectives on AI Audits 39:10 Practical Approaches for AI Model Reviews 53:57 Key Skills for AI Model Audits 59:27 Introduction and Areas of Practice 01:01:31 AI in Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing 01:07:36 AI Models in Fraud Detection 01:14:41 Export Control on AI Models 01:21:35 International AI Audit Methodologies 01:27:42 Challenges in AI Audits 01:42:10 Accountability in AI Audits 01:46:13 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies welcomes you to Wexford, a fictional city that has purchased AI-enabled law enforcement tools with a black box provision from a tech vendor. Task Force member Elizabeth Daitz moderates a discussion on the complexities of AI usage in criminal investigations and prosecution. Panelists Christian Quinn, Andrew Warshawer, Jerome Greco, and the Honorable Paul Grimm provide insightful perspectives on the significance of the black box provision, ethical and legal implications, and the need for transparency and coordination among stakeholders to ensure these tools are used effectively and justly in the criminal justice system. 00:00 Introductions 02:18 Fictional Case Study: Sentinel AI in Law Enforcement 03:31 Regulatory Landscape and Challenges 05:50 Bias and Explainability in AI 12:19 AI in Law Enforcement 18:01 Legal Implications of AI in Prosecution 35:52 Defense Perspective on AI Evidence 43:54 Challenging Unverifiable Evidence 46:57 Litigation Strategy and Expert Witnesses 49:00 Economic Barriers in Defense Technology 53:33 Judicial Perspectives on AI Evidence 01:13:53 Key Takeaways and Leadership in AI 01:22:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Dana Lennon and Lori Nuckolls, co-chairs of the Subcommittee on Digital Technology Issues for Nonprofits, host an informative discussion on the use of digital assets in nonprofit organizations. Joined by subcommittee members Laura Angel Lalanne and John Bennett, alongside nonprofit leaders Kevin Scally and Zach Bronstein, they delve into different types of digital assets, their benefits for nonprofits, real-world applications, and the associated governance and legal considerations. The discussion includes practical advice on implementing digital asset strategies, addressing risk, ensuring transparency, and complying with emerging regulations and legislation. Laura Angel-Lalanne is a Partner at Schulte Roth; John Bennett is a Senior Counsel at Simpson Thacher; Dana Lennon is the Director of Divisional Operations at Catholic Charities Community Services Archdiocese of New York; Lori Nuckols is a Public Policy Researcher; Zack Bronstein is Chief Operating Officer at Endaoment; and Kevin Scally is Deputy Chief Development Officer for Doctors without Border. Want to further explore the latest developments in financial technology and associated regulatory changes? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming FinTech Conference on September 9. (This program will be available on-demand thereafter.) Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 01:24 Understanding Digital Assets for Nonprofits 03:31 Kevin Scaly on Doctors Without Borders 05:52 Zach Bronstein on Endaoment 12:16 Implementing Digital Asset Strategies 18:35 Board Approval and Policy Considerations 24:57 Nonprofit Security Measures and Asset Management 29:28 Donor Information and Anonymity 33:07 Governance and Legal Considerations 44:04 Advice for Nonprofits on Digital Assets

What are the economics of the metaverse? Is your privacy safe when you make a financial transaction? What new scams and cons are criminals developing in the world of virtual reality? Flora Lau leads a cohort from the City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies – Terry Dugan, Sabeena Ahmed Liconte, Alex Southwell, Irene Byhovsky, Clark Abrams, and Adam Scott Wandt – in a discussion covering regulatory implications, privacy concerns, national security issues, and cybersecurity challenges. They share detailed analysis, use cases, and potential solutions to ensure a balance between innovation and regulation, while also considering the broader implications for privacy and security. They also touch on the importance of regulatory sandboxes and future technologies that may reshape our digital interactions.

Want to learn more about developing standards and best-practices for emerging technologies? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming FinTech Conference on September 9. (This program will be available on-demand thereafter.) Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events.

01:07 Defining the Metaverse 02:52 Economic Aspects of the Metaverse 05:20 Financial Activities in the Metaverse 14:33 Regulatory Considerations for Financial Institutions 36:36 Privacy and Data Concerns in the Metaverse 51:25 Child Privacy and Financial Risks in the Metaverse 52:25 Global Perspective on Metaverse Adoption 54:13 Recommendations for Metaverse Platforms on Privacy 56:36 Challenges of Age Verification and Regulation 01:00:06 National Security Concerns in the Metaverse 01:00:51 Money Laundering and Financial Crimes in the Metaverse 01:17:40 Cybersecurity in the Metaverse 01:31:34 Future of the Metaverse and Regulatory Considerations 01:39:48 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Attorney and bioethicist Karolina Zhukoff sits down with Dr. Jonathan Moreno, Professor Emeritus at the University of Pennsylvania, to discuss his new book, “Absolutely Essential: Bioethics and the Rules-Based International Order.” They delve into the historical development of bioethics since its emergence post-World War II, focusing on the evolution of doctor-patient relationships and the significant influence of the Nuremberg Code. The conversation also covers the ways in which Dr. Moreno’s upbringing inspired his work, the global impact of COVID-19 on bioethics, and the challenges posed to the international rules-based order by geopolitical shifts and emerging technologies. 00:00 Introduction 01:33 The Essence of Bioethics 04:20 Historical Context of Bioethics 08:04 Personal Influences on Dr. Moreno 11:09 Global Perspectives on Medical Ethics 21:11 Impact of COVID-19 on Bioethics 27:23 Future Challenges and Emerging Technologies 32:55 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Scott Sholder is a prominent New York litigator representing clients across the entertainment and media industries on copyright matters. He is currently counsel to world famous authors in a copyright class action litigation concerning the unauthorized use of literary works for generative AI “training.” He also chairs the Copyright & Literary Property Committee’s A.I. Subcommittee whose mission is to keep tabs and stay current on the latest developments at the intersection of copyright law and generative A.I. Presented by the New York City Bar Copyright and Literary Property Committee and hosted by Theodora Fleurant and Jose Landivar, we discuss the latest developments in copyright law and artificial intelligence, discuss how taekwondo and power metal have shaped Scott’s practice, and what it takes to be a high-performing litigator in 2025. Scott J. Sholder is co-chair of the Litigation Group at Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard LLP, one of the premier law firms in media and entertainment. A frequent writer and speaker on copyright and trademark issues, Scott has been recognized by Variety as “a thought leader in the artificial intelligence space as it relates to entertainment.” He was also featured in The Hollywood Reporter’s 2024 “Power Lawyers” list. (The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this podcast belong solely to the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of any organizations, employers, or affiliates they may be associated with. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide legal or professional advice.) Selected Links from the Episode: New York City Copyright & Literary Property Committee: https://www.nycbar.org/committees/copyright-literary-property-committee Copyright Claims Board: https://ccb.gov/ Red Rising by Pierce Brown: https://www.amazon.com/Red-Rising-Pierce-Brown/dp/034553980X Ghost, “Mary On A Cross”: https://open.spotify.com/track/2wBnZdVWa5jVpvYRfGU7rP?si=511c7ba7d3df4e21 Unleash the Archers,”Northwest Passage” https://open.spotify.com/track/3Fiz4tFoVBosOUm2uMgdlL?si=8af4660100604e89

The Mindfulness and Wellbeing in the Law Committee returns to the airwaves to give you the lawyer’s perspective on the healing power of music. Scott Mason, Nancy Batterman and Kathryn Schneider explore the mindfulness practices inherent to musical artistry, and the way that those practices can inform a life in the law. Nancy and Kathy share their personal journeys in the City Bar Chorus and the strong sense of community they have built there. The episode gives a new framing for some of the challenging aspects of the legal profession, like performing under pressure and navigating a proclivity for perfectionism. We close with a guided meditation and a poem by Rumi, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional dimensions of engaging with music.

Kathryn Schneider is the Musical Director of the New York City Bar Chorus, which is giving two public concerts (with identical setlists) in June 2025 at the House of the Association showcasing musical theater and film selections, including from Sweeney Todd, Encanto, Kinky Boots, The Greatest Showman and Wicked, as well as inventive arrangements of songs by artists ranging from Billy Joel to Bruno Mars, Billie Eilish to Beyoncé, and more. Donations at the door will benefit the City Bar Fund and the Chorus. RSVP for the concerts at:

June 26, 2025: https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=CHOR062625 June 27, 2025: https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=CHOR062725

02:29 Mindfulness and Music: The Connection 04:03 The Impact of Singing and Music on Wellbeing 08:13 The Role of Community in Music and Law 13:57 The New York City Bar Chorus: History and Personal Journeys 19:26 The Healing Power of Music and Performance 35:08 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts 38:36 Guided Meditation for Performance Preparation

A new City Bar report (https://bit.ly/3FURuAi) from the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technology highlights the harmful effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on people with disabilities, and the harm likely to occur for them in the future. The Task Force’s  Subcommittee on the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on People with Disabilities and Underserved Communities continues the conversation in this podcast episode featuring attorneys, researchers, and technology leaders. They talk about the current challenges and opportunities AI presents for people with disabilities, emphasizing the importance of inclusive design and representation.

Want to be part of the discussion? Register for the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute on June 16 (available on-demand thereafter): https://services.nycbar.org/AIInstitute/ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming CLE programs and events as well as on-demand CLE content.

03:06 Overview of AI's Impact on Disabilities 04:44 Building a Disability Inclusive AI Ecosystem 09:08 Generative AI and Representational Harms 15:54 AI in Digital Accessibility: Test Party's Mission 19:39 Challenges and Legal Perspectives on AI and Disabilities 35:26 Inclusive Design and Evaluation in AI 44:54 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

The City Bar Presidential Task Force on AI and digital technologies hosts this discussion on AI governance in the financial sector. Azish Filabi (American College McGuire Center for Ethics and Financial Services) moderates with Muyiwa Odeniyide (Nasdaq), Adam Marchuck (Citi), Jordan Romanoff (BNY Mellon), Stuart Levi (Skadden Arps), and Corey Goldstein (Paul Weiss). They share best practices for integrating AI governance and the specific risks associated with third-party AI vendors, underscoring the importance of cross-functional collaboration and continuous learning for lawyers navigating the rapidly changing AI environment.

Want to learn more about AI governance in the financial sector? Register for the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute on June 16 (available on-demand thereafter): https://services.nycbar.org/AIInstitute/ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming CLE programs and events as well as on-demand CLE content.

01:08 AI Ethics and Financial Services 02:37 Current State of AI Law and Regulation 13:33 AI Use Cases in Financial Companies 16:50 AI Risk and Governance Considerations 18:45 Legal Perspectives on AI Risk 28:44 AI Governance in Financial Services 37:28 The Role of AI Lawyers 42:56 Balancing Innovation and Risk

Every day, New Yorkers are involuntarily committed to hospitals and mental health facilities for psychiatric treatment. But what happens when a patient wishes to be released from a hospital or refuses medication? In this podcast, we are joined by Hon. W. Frank Perry to discuss Mental Hygiene Proceedings, a little-known area of the law designed to resolve disputes between mental health patients and the facilities responsible for treating them. In this discussion, Judge Perry describes his transition from a Supreme Court Justice in the General Assignment Part to his current role as the sole Judge presiding over Mental Hygiene Proceedings throughout New York County. This open and honest conversation explores Judge Perry’s experience with helping people at their most vulnerable moments, the tension between protecting individual rights of patients and ensuring that they are not a threat to themselves or others, and the procedure for carrying this out. We hope that this discussion can shed some light on a legal process that affects thousands of New Yorkers every year.

Want to learn more about practice in New York’s mental hygiene courts? You can access the City Bar’s on-demand CLE program "Better Served by Treatment": Practicing in the Mental Health Courts 101: https://bit.ly/452oUXY Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming CLE programs and events as well as on-demand CLE content.

Sara Walsh and Elizabeth Pyjov discuss the critical role of compassion in the legal field. Elizabeth shares her extensive background in compassion training, her experiences living in diverse cultures, and how these shaped her understanding of human suffering. Together, they delve into the definitions and science of compassion, the eternal role of the arts in processing suffering, and practical ways to cultivate compassion. They emphasize that a compassionate approach can significantly improve lawyers' well-being and their professional interactions, ultimately leading to a more just and thriving society.

If you’re interested in incorporating mindfulness and well-being into your practice, join the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee for a Mindfulness Break, Yoga for Lawyers, or its next Book Club. More information about the committee and its upcoming events is available here.
02:09 Elizabeth's Journey: From Literature to Law 07:16 Defining Compassion in the Legal Profession 07:32 The Science Behind Compassion 14:12 Compassion vs. Common Misconceptions 17:24 The Role of Compassion in Legal Practice 19:15 Cultivating Compassion and Self-Compassion 27:12 The Impact of Compassion on Lawyers and Society 28:41 Final Thoughts and Call to Action 34:18 Closing Remarks and Additional Resources

Today the City Bar Podcast brings you an episode from its sister show, Building Belonging, a podcast of the City Bar's Office for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Building Belonging is launching a new season that brings listeners into the heartfelt, uncertain, messy, hopeful discussions that capture the work of DEIB on the ground as the landscape shifts and changes. In the first episode of Building Belonging season two, ODIEB dives deep into the fundamental question: What is DEI really? With the haters circling and pushback in full force, a lot of people are returning to this question to understand how to move justice forward. The team explores their individual journeys into DEI and what it means to them. As Eli puts it, this conversation seeks to address 'what DEI is, what it is not, where it is going, and who our allies are,' clearing up misconceptions and providing a nuanced understanding of essential concepts. Tanya highlights the innate human essence of DEI, saying, 'At its core, it is one of the most innate and human things that we have.' Angie drives home the practical importance of DEI: 'It's everything that makes the world more accessible to everyone.' By offering their personal insights and discussing the broader significance of DEI, the team aims to inspire listeners to open their eyes to new opportunities and get involved in this transformative work. PLEASE SUBSCRIBE TO THE BUILDING BELONGING PODCAST IF YOU ENJOYED THIS EPISODE!!!!

Microsoft is mobilizing generative artificial intelligence technology to address the access to justice gap in the United States. In partnership with the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project (NWIRP), they have built a collaborative initiative, ‘LUZ,’ to streamline and scale the DACA renewal process for Dreamers. The City Bar Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technology’s Ray Brescia hosts Malou Chávez, Executive Director of the Northwest Immigrants Rights Project (NWIRP), and Microsoft’s Global Pro Bono Manager Adrian Palma and UX/UI designer Amae Kurre to talk about the access to justice gap that inspired the project, the role of tech in making legal services more efficient, and the essential nature of human oversight in AI-driven legal processes.

Want to learn more about how AI and digital technology are being mobilized to close the digital divide in access to justice? You can access the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute on demand: https://bit.ly/4j3lCYQ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming CLE programs and events as well as on-demand CLE content.

01:19 The Evolution of Legal Technology 01:55 Introduction of ChatGPT and Generative AI 03:17 The Impact of AI on Legal Services 03:45 Microsoft's Pro Bono Initiative: LUZ 05:02 Challenges Faced by NWIRP 07:50 The Role of Technology in Legal Clinics 13:28 The Development and Design of LUZ 24:48 Human Oversight and AI Integration 26:26 Scaling the Initiative and Future Prospects 42:48 Addressing Concerns and Ensuring Security 48:28 Final Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of Mindful Lawyering we explore the emotional, mental, and physical toll of caregiver roles, particularly in the legal profession, and share practical strategies for managing stress — including seeking support, realigning priorities, and practicing self-compassion. Jordana Confino, a former practicing attorney and founder of JC Coaching and Consulting, is joined by Robbie Margolius, Director of Wellbeing at Arnold and Porter. The episode concludes with a self-compassion meditation led by Nancy Batterman, Deputy General Counsel at NYC's Department of Housing, Preservation, and Development.

Sneak Peak: “41 percent of parents say that most days they're so stressed they can't function. And 48 percent say that their stress is completely overwhelming. But compared to other adults, that level is at 20%.”

“I think so many of us, especially lawyers, believe that if it doesn't hurt, it's not working. If we're not burning the candle at both ends, we're not being productive. If we're not pushing ourselves to our breaking point, we’re not doing enough. Because that's how we've been doing it. That's how we've been operating for so long.”

“ We're talking about getting help from others and helping other people, but it's really also important to think about the connection between our self care and the care that we can provide for others. So it's that oxygen mask scenario. You've got to put on your oxygen mask first in order to help other people.”

Resource: Parents Under Pressure – The U.S. Surgeon General's Advisory on the Mental Health & Well-Being of Parents: https://bit.ly/41CkWSC If you’re interested in incorporating mindfulness and well-being into your practice, join the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee for a Mindfulness Break, Yoga for Lawyers, or its next Book Club. More information about the committee and its upcoming events is available here: https://www.nycbar.org/committees/mindfulness-well-being-in-law-committee/

Outline: 00:00 Introduction to Mindful Lawyering 00:33 Meet the Hosts: Jordana and Robbie 01:20 Personal Caregiving Stories 03:48 Understanding Caregiver Fatigue 09:15 The Legal Profession's Unique Challenges 14:13 Strategies for Managing Caregiver Fatigue 23:24 Seeking Help and Building Support Systems 30:48 Practical Self-Care Tips 34:18 Final Thoughts and Self-Compassion Exercise

Our latest episode is brought to you by the City Bar’s Mass Incarceration Task Force. Tess Cohen, Chair of Task Force, discusses the Treatment Court Expansion Act, formerly known as the Treatment Not Jail Act, with guests Jeffrey Berman, a mental health attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Manhattan, and Mark Graham, founder and executive director of the Redemption Center. They explore the legislation's goal to expand treatment-based alternatives to incarceration for individuals with mental health issues, substance use disorders, and other disabilities. The discussion covers the bill's potential to reduce recidivism, the role of diversion courts, and the broader societal impact of addressing mental health and substance use issues within the community.
Join the coalition at treatmentnotjail.com and advocate for change in our community. If you want to learn more about sensible legislative solutions to the treatment of people who are incarcerated in New York, read the Mass Incarceration Task Force’s reports on the Treatment Court Expansion Act (https://bit.ly/43ETNRw) and the Communities Not Cages Act (https://bit.ly/4htf57U) and view the City Bar’s Legislative Agenda (https://bit.ly/3DuhGAL) to learn more about how you can participate in advocacy that supports passage of these proposals in the New York State Legislature.
00:00 Overview of the Treatment Court Expansion Act 00:39 Meet the Experts: Jeffrey Berman and Mark Graham 01:29 Understanding the Legislation 02:39 Existing Criminal Justice Framework and Challenges 05:26 Expanding the Treatment Court System 06:47 The Importance of Removing Guilty Plea Requirements 11:53 Personal Stories and Advocacy 19:12 The Impact of Incarceration on Mental Health 22:12 Public Safety and Mental Health 26:07 The Cost and Benefits of Treatment Courts 28:33 Current Status and Future of the Treatment Courts Expansion Act 30:56 How Listeners Can Help 37:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Salahuddin Ahmed, a constitutional lawyer and expert from Pakistan, visited the City Bar Middle East and North African Affairs Committee to discuss the 26th Amendment to the Constitution of Pakistan and its impact on the independence of the Supreme Court and the Rule of Law.
For a brief background on how the 26th Amendment attempts to subjugate the judiciary to the present regime in Pakistan, read the statement of the International Commission of Jurists: https://www.icj.org/pakistan-26th-constitutional-amendment-is-a-blow-to-the-independence-of-the-judiciary/
At least two Senators said in television interviews that they were compelled to vote for the Amendment after being kidnapped and having their family members kidnapped. The inducements and coercion adopted during the process were widely reported in Pakistani media and even raised in Parliament. For example, see: https://www.nation.com.pk/18-Oct-2024/senators-seek-end-to-coercion-to-get-vote-on-judicial-reforms
The preliminary problem with this legal challenge will be - who hears this petition? Will it be the Supreme Court as it existed prior to the Amendment or can it now only be the Constitutional Bench of the Supreme Court specially selected for this purpose by the post-Amendment Judicial Commission (which, post-Amendment, has a majority of political appointees and a minority of judges)?
The subsequent challenge is whether courts should ever be involved in determining the validity of constitutional amendments (even if clearly aimed at undermining democracy or the rule of law) or whether it must always be left to the political process? In the past, the judiciary in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh have declared they have the power to strike down constitutional amendments if Parliament attempts to subvert the democratic essence of the Constitution by eliminating fundamental rights or the independence of judiciary.
If you enjoyed this podcast, watch Hon. Athar Minallah, Justice of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, address the City Bar alongside City Bar President Muhammad U. Faridi, Kabir Hashmi of Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP, and special guest Hon. Rowan Wilson, Chief Judge of the State of New York. Justice Minallah spoke about the role of the judiciary in ensuring accountability and promotion of the rule of law, and the dangers of judicial overreach and activism. Video of the event is available here: https://www.nycbar.org/videos/the-independence-of-the-judiciary-and-rule-of-law-in-pakistan/?back=1&ref=media

Jerome Walker, co-chair of the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, leads a discussion on President Trump's January 23, 2025 executive order: Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. The episode features insights from Nikhil Aggarwal, Harut Minasian, and Nichole Sterling on the implications of reversing President Biden's AI policies. Key discussions include the roles of federal and state regulations, the balance between innovation and safety, and the international landscape of AI regulations. Nikhil, Harut and Nichole also explain foundational principles like explainability, transparency, and fairness in AI models, and assess how stakeholders should navigate these regulatory changes. Additionally, the episode delves into practical examples of AI applications in national security and offers strategic advice for market participants over the next four years.
If you’re interested in learning more about cryptocurrency and regulatory treatment of digital financial technology, join us for the City Bar’s Crypto Institute on March 11 (https://services.nycbar.org/Institute/ and available thereafter on-demand). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events.
Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/removing-barriers-to-american-leadership-in-artificial-intelligence/
00:22 Overview of President Trump's Executive Order on AI 02:34 Panelist Introductions 05:47 Understanding AI Models 08:01 AI in National Security 10:13 Impact of Executive Orders on AI Stakeholders 14:24 Legal Advice for AI Stakeholders 30:59 State Responses to Federal AI Policies 35:00 International AI Regulations and US Leadership 56:11 AI Action Plan and Key Principles 01:00:48 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Two legal experts, Tiffany Smith from WilmerHale and Stuart Levi from Skadden Arps, analyze President Trump's January 23rd, 2025 Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology. They compare it with President Biden's previous executive order, discussing the balance between innovation and risk, potential impacts on the digital assets industry, regulatory clarifications, and international competition. The experts also emphasize the need for balanced, cautious optimism while engaging with both federal and state regulators. If you’re interested in learning more about cryptocurrency and regulatory treatment of digital financial technology, join us for the City Bar’s Crypto Institute on March 11 (https://services.nycbar.org/Institute/ and available thereafter on-demand). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/strengthening-american-leadership-in-digital-financial-technology/ 00:29 Overview of President Trump's Executive Order 06:36 Discussion on Regulatory Environment 09:47 Advice for Stakeholders and Lawyers 22:24 State-Level Responses to Executive Order 28:28 International Perspective on Digital Assets 33:17 Policy Debate on Digital Asset Laws 37:23 Comparing Biden and Trump Administration Approaches 40:17 Future of Digital Asset Regulation 51:46 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

This episode of the New York City Bar Association comes to you from the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee. Host Scott Mason and committee Chair Aimee Latorre delve into the dimensions of wellbeing, Aimee’s personal journey with mindfulness, and the profession’s current crisis of mental health, attrition, and substance abuse. They also discuss the six dimensions of wellbeing defined by the ABA, and the additional two by the New York State Bar Association. Aimee highlights practical steps individuals and organizations can take to foster a culture of wellbeing and the positive impact it has on ethical and competent legal practice. If you’re interested in incorporating mindfulness and well-being into your practice, join the Mindfulness and Well-Being in Law Committee for a Mindfulness Break, Yoga for Lawyers, or its next Book Club. More information about the committee and its upcoming events is available here: https://www.nycbar.org/committees/mindfulness-well-being-in-law-committee/ Visit nycbar.org/events to find all the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 01:14 Personal Stories and Mindfulness Practices 03:10 Challenges in the Legal Profession 07:55 Defining Wellbeing and Mindfulness 08:56 Dimensions of Attorney Wellbeing 21:51 Practical Steps for Improving Wellbeing 25:21 Upcoming Events and Getting Involved 28:44 Conclusion and Meditation

Our latest episode from the Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies surveys an emerging landscape of legislation around AI liabilities and remedies. David Lisson (Davis Polk), Clint Morrison (Patterson Belknap), Shayne O'Reilly (Meta), Matt Bacal (Davis Polk), and Rama Elluru ( Special Competitive Studies Project) unpack regulations from state, federal and international bodies covering topics such as disclosure and transparency, kids' safety, deep fakes, non-consensual intimate imagery, and intellectual property. They also touch upon the significant penalties under the EU AI Act and the broader themes emerging from these legislative efforts, emphasizing the balance between innovation and regulation. If you’re interested in learning more about how artificial intelligence will affect the legal world, check out the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute, available on-demand. Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 01:20 Federal AI Laws and Regulations 03:06 Pending AI Bills in the U.S. 14:35 State-Level AI Legislation 32:21 International AI Regulations: The EU AI Act 41:06 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook 45:15 Outro and Additional Resources

The City Bar's Environmental Law Committee hosted a discussion on NYSDEC's Brownfield Cleanup Program (BCP) and New York City's Voluntary Cleanup Program (VCP) which encourage private-sector cleanups of contaminated sites and promotes the redevelopment of the sites through economic incentives. We discussed the potential impact these programs may have on environmental justice communities in New York City and also look at various case studies across New York City and their differing perspectives on the topic. Moderator: Heather Leibowitz, Senior Attorney, NYSDEC Region 2 Speakers: George Duke, Vice President, NYC Brownfields Partnership Rebecca Bratspies, Professor of Environmental and Public International Law, CUNY School of Law; Director of the Center of Urban Environmental Reform, CUNY Melissa Checker, Professor of Urban Studies, Queens College; Professor of Earth and Environmental Sciences, CUNY Graduate Center Barry Hersh, Professor, NYPU SPS Schack Institute of Real Estate

To many of us, the answer seems obvious as the AI wave continues to crest. The City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies hosts Hon. Xavier Rodriguez, U.S. District Judge for the Western District of Texas, and Maura Grossman, a lawyer and scholar specializing in technology assisted review, to join Task Force member David Zaslowsky in giving that question a closer look. With lawyers filing in court, perhaps we're leaping to conclusions that don't match our experience. After all, lawyers once worried that tech like email would be the end of confidentiality. Then again, when it comes to judges, the risks may be just as high as we think. Research and fact-finding may be one thing, but what about when a judge asks an AI tool to render a legal decision?  Judge Rodriguez and Professor Grossman consider many cases and court rules from the past year as we pull apart the surprising nuances of the question: should lawyers and judges be required to disclose their use of AI? If you’re interested in learning more about how artificial intelligence will affect the legal world, check out the City Bar’s Artificial Intelligence Institute, available on-demand (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=OND061024). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events.  04:06 The Infamous Mata vs. Avianca Case 04:47 Debating AI Disclosure Requirements 06:12 Challenges with Broad AI Regulations 09:13 Judicial Reactions to AI in Legal Practice 11:12 Proposed AI Certification in the Fifth Circuit 19:10 Legislative Overreach in AI Regulation 26:00 Judges Using AI: Ethical and Practical Considerations 34:05 AI in Judicial Decision-Making: Disclosure Dilemma 34:22 A Personal Experience with AI Dispute Resolution 35:52 The Role of AI in Low-Value Claims 36:49 Psychological Anchoring and AI in Courts 37:41 Judicial Canons and AI Usage 39:06 Global Examples of AI in Judicial Decisions 40:17 The Debate on AI's Role in Legal Interpretation 44:40 Judge Newsom's AI Journey 48:56 Concerns and Considerations with AI in Courts 57:30 Encouraging AI Experimentation in the Judiciary 59:40 Conclusion and Future Discussions

Muhammad Faridi, City Bar President, interviews Jethro Eisenstein, a key figure in the creation of the NYC’s Handschu Committee in response to NYPD "Red Squad" activities in the 1970s and 80s. Jethro shares the history of the Handschu litigation, a landmark case initiated in 1971 that imposed significant oversight on the NYPD’s investigation of political groups. Jethro recounts the origins of the case, the challenges that the Committee has faced through the years, and the evolution of legal oversight mechanisms over decades, including a post-9/11 revival. He reflects on his career and the impact of the Handschu guidelines on civil rights and police accountability. 01:37 Meet Jethro Eisenstein: A Legal Luminary 02:25 The Handschu Litigation: Origins and Impact 02:50 Jethro's Journey to Law and Early Career 08:14 The Red Squad and Political Surveillance 09:56 The Panther 21 Trial and Its Aftermath 12:29 Drafting the Handschu Complaint 25:57 Litigation Challenges and Class Action Certification 29:03 Settlement and the Handschu Authority 40:50 Post-9/11 Changes and Legal Battles 47:12 Revelations and the Role of the Civilian 53:20 Jethro's Legacy and Final Thoughts

In this podcast hosted by the City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, Alona Katz, Chief of the Virtual Currency Unit at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, alongside a panel of experts, discusses the growing issue of cryptocurrency investment scams, specifically 'pig butchering,' which one guest describes as “ a confidence scam and a romance scam and an investment scam all wrapped into one.” The panel includes Inspector Osvaldo Nunez from the New York City Police Department; Kristen Spaeth, Manager on the Global Intelligence Team at Coinbase; Jonathan Scharf, Deputy Chief of Major Economic Crimes at the Queens County District Attorney's Office; and Adrian Cheek, a disruption expert. They share insights on current trends, investigation techniques, and strategies for effective disruption and seizure of assets. The group emphasizes education as a key tool for inoculating the public to these scams, the importance of public-private sector collaboration, and proactive measures to prevent scams and protect victims. If you’re interested in learning more about cryptocurrency and law enforcement trends, join us for the City Bar’s Crypto Institute on March 11 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=INS031125). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Welcome 00:38 Meet the Experts: Introductions 05:37 Understanding Pig Butchering Scams 12:45 Law Enforcement's Perspective 22:52 Local vs. Federal Response 29:22 Private Sector Insights: Coinbase's Role 31:53 Transaction and Blockchain Analysis 32:54 Law Enforcement Collaboration 33:42 Coinbase's Protective Measures 34:35 Scam Detection Techniques 36:35 Tech Against Scams Coalition 37:28 Disruption Strategies in Investigations 40:12 Domain and Wallet Analysis 43:34 Advice for Law Enforcement 54:04 Future of Cryptocurrency Crime Units 55:45 Final Thoughts and Collaboration

Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies members Wendy Butler Curtis and Robert Mahari are joined by Cai GoGwilt, founder of Ironclad, to discuss the power and potential of Agentic AI. Their conversation explores the definitions, capabilities, and notable limitations of the emerging Large Language Models. Building on Forbes’ “intern” analogy, the co-hosts highlight the ways in which Agentic AI can enhance productivity across several fields with its hyperintelligence and adaptability to complex tasks. Curtis, Mahari and GoGwilt conclude with thoughts on its future development, ethical considerations of its usage, and anecdotes of their most interesting encounters with these tools. If you’re interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, join us for related programs at the City Bar, including the UN Summit of the Future: International Regulation of AI on November 4 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=TFDT110424) and the Artificial Intelligence in Health Care: An Overview of Laws, Policy, and Practices webinar CLE on November 6 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=_WEB110624). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction to Agentic AI 05:14 Defining Agentic AI 08:11 Rapid Fire Q&A 09:07 Capabilities and Limitations of Agentic AI 13:55 Open Source and Future Prospects 21:26 AI's Limitations in Legal Contexts 22:01 Debating AI's Reasoning Capabilities 26:02 Practical Applications of AI in Various Industries 28:24 AI in Legal Practice: Current and Future Uses 31:47 Ethical Considerations and Professional Responsibility 32:34 Optimism and Concerns About AI's Future 40:10 Engaging with Generative AI: Practical Tips 41:56 Best and Worst Uses of Generative AI 45:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

In this special episode we hear the Hon. Jed S. Rakoff – Senior Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of New York – deliver a speech to the Association entitled "The U.S. Supreme Court’s History as a Regressive Institution." Judge Rakoff’s speech is part of City Bar’s Benjamin N. Cardozo Lecture Series, which is inspired by the legacy of Benjamin N. Cardozo "and his love for the law, passion for justice and sympathy for humanity." First presented in 1941, previous speakers in the series have included Robert H. Jackson, Felix Frankfurter, William O. Douglas, Earl Warren, William J. Brennan, Jr., Marian Wright Edelman, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among many others. Judge Rakoff was introduced by Judge Raymond Lohier, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after a welcome from City Bar President Muhammad Faridi.

An increasing number of states are enacting policies hostile to LGBTQ youth, like book bans and restrictions on participation in sports. Even in states like New York where there is greater state-level support for LGBTQ rights, similar policies aimed at stifling those rights have emerged at the local level. Amy Leipziger (Project Director, Free to Be Youth Project), Ashton Hessee (Legal Fellow, Free to Be Youth Project) and Gabriella Larios (Staff Attorney, NYCLU) of the City Bar’s LGBTQ Rights Committee unpack the damage to psychological and physical health that these bans and the anti-LGBTQ culture that they promote can have on LGBTQ youth – kids who are navigating the same developmental challenges as their peers while being saddled with these additional burdens. Amy, Ashton and Gabriella also speak to how queer and trans youth – and their parents and caregivers – can understand their rights and understand how to advocate for their rights in school. All three share stories from the frontlines of litigating against these bans, and share insights on the most effective strategies for pairing litigation with grassroots community organizing. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3zp9tfd Access NYCLU’s “Your Rights as an LGBTQ Student” resource here: https://bit.ly/4euK6aC Want to learn more about the changing state of the law governing transgender athletes' participation in sports? View the City Bar’s on-demand CLE program “Transgender Athletes: Title IX and the Dynamic Legal Landscape” (https://bit.ly/4gITn0v). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction and Back-to-School Reflections 02:27 Challenges Faced by Students and Schools 04:06 Transgender Rights and School Policies 16:14 Impact of Discrimination on Mental Health 19:15 Statistics on LGBTQ+ Student Experiences 33:08 Community Support and Advocacy 46:35 Conclusion and Call to Action

The Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies’ Bob Schwinger hosts a discussion with fellow Task Force members Don Irwin and Tyler Yagman. They identify the key takeaways from the House Financial Services Committee’s June 5th congressional hearing about the tokenization of real-world assets, its relation to cryptocurrency, and its potential to improve market efficiency and transparency. Bob, Don, and Tyler also discuss the importance of regulatory compliance, the differences between permissioned and permissionless blockchains, and tokenization's implications for future financial inclusion. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3ZxikWG Want to learn more about emerging digital technologies and their development? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming program: Guidelines for Users and Developers of AI Powered Technologies on October 10 (https://bit.ly/GUDAI) and view our catalogue of similar on-demand CLEs (https://bit.ly/BarCTFDT). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic 01:21 Overview of Tokenization and Congressional Hearing 02:21 Detailed Explanation of Tokenization 05:09 Legislative Proposals and Industry Perspectives 07:33 Distinguishing Tokenization from Cryptocurrency 10:26 Goals and Benefits of Tokenization 16:41 Use Cases and Practical Applications 24:30 Fundamental Principles and Regulatory Concerns 33:38 Permissioned vs. Permissionless Blockchains 39:31 Tokenizing Securities and Technological Challenges 43:22 Stable Coins, CBDCs, and Financial Inclusion 48:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

President Muhammad Faridi hosts Rich Miller (former Chief of Energy Policy for New York City and former Vice President of Energy and Environmental Law at Con Edison) and Robie Craig (Senior Energy Council at the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services), Co-Chairs of the City Bar Energy Law Committee. The conversation touches on various aspects of energy policy and its relevance to New York City, including historical perspectives on power generation, the current shift towards clean energy, and the implementation of regulatory mandates such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and the Build Public Renewables Act. Muhammad, Rich and Robie also explore the city's efforts to balance environmental justice with the need for reliable energy supply, the role of Con Edison, challenges posed by intermittent renewable sources, and the steps New York City is taking to support electric vehicle adoption. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3XhBhtK Want to learn more about the impact of energy decisions and environmental justice? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming programs: The Professional Duty of Lawyers and Bar Associations in Action on Climate on September 23 (https://bit.ly/3XsQhFh) and Economic and Environmental Impacts of State and City Funded Remediation Programs on Environmental Justice Communities in NYC on October 29 (https://bit.ly/3XrirQL). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:46 Understanding DCAS and Con Edison 11:15 New York City's Energy Landscape 16:58 Historical Perspective: The Birth of Electricity in NYC 23:52 Regulatory Framework and Environmental Justice 35:49 Future of Clean Energy and Transportation in NYC 49:03 Committee Focus and Closing Remarks

In this episode of the New York City Bar Association podcast, hosted by Sara Chekroun and sponsored by the Animal Law Committee, the spotlight is on Steven Wise's pioneering legal career and his legacy with the Nonhuman Rights Project (NHRP). Guests Courtney Fern and Elizabeth Stein, both attorneys with NHRP, delve into Wise's groundbreaking legal strategies that fundamentally altered the framework for animal advocacy. They discuss the application of writs of habeas corpus for non-human animals, emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence in advancing animal rights cases. The conversation also covers current legislative efforts to secure bodily liberty for elephants and other animals, underscoring the impact Wise's work has had on public and judicial perceptions of animal rights. The episode pays tribute to Steven Wise's enduring influence in the realm of animal law. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/479Ng17 Read the City Bar Animal Law Committee’s recent report supporting an NYC local law regarding the keeping of elephants: https://bit.ly/46Mqwnm Read the City Bar’s Report in Support of the Elephant Protection Act: https://bit.ly/3YzV7CE 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 00:36 Remembering Steven Wise's Legacy 03:17 Understanding Habeas Corpus for Non-Human Animals 09:33 The Case of Happy the Elephant 23:59 Legislative Efforts for Animal Rights 27:46 Personal Memories of Steven Wise 31:31 The Evolution of Animal Rights Law 41:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

The metaverse isn’t just the future, it’s already here and growing in every direction. But with so many players and users expanding in the space, the boundaries between metaverse platforms are becoming more cumbersome and complex. Flora Lau and Terry Dugan of the New York City Bar Association Digital Technologies Task Force host Larry Goldberg, a pioneer in media accessibility, and Debbie Rosenbaum, a leading attorney at Meta with extensive experience in Oculus and immersive spaces. They share their thoughts on developing cross-platform standards for the metaverse, discuss the role of avatars and digital identity, and explore the challenges of making the metaverse inclusive for people with disabilities. The episode explores technical challenges, policy considerations, and the importance of social norms within virtual environments. Key topics include interoperability, the economics of digital assets, and the potential for innovative applications in extended reality. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3AFroym Listen to our first podcast episode on the metaverse: What Is the Metaverse, Really? https://bit.ly/3AE39AK Want to learn more about developing standards and best-practices for emerging technologies? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming CLE program on October 10: Guidelines for Users and Developers of AI Powered Technologies (https://bit.ly/4dSBYAA). (This program will be available on-demand thereafter.) Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:39 Introducing the Guests: Larry Goldberg and Debbie Rosenbaum 02:35 Larry Goldberg's Journey in Accessibility 03:54 Debbie Rosenbaum's Metaverse Experience 06:39 Meta's Vision for the Metaverse 07:41 Challenges and Innovations in Cross-Platform Standards 11:26 The Role of AR Glasses and Accessibility 25:21 The Future of Avatars and Digital Identity 29:05 Challenges of Avatar Customization 29:30 Avatar Rights and Legal Issues 32:36 Social Norms in the Metaverse 37:29 Early Days of the Metaverse 43:38 Interoperability and Business Drivers 46:11 Decentralization and Future Prospects 49:33 Final Thoughts and Takeaways