2022 November Message:

Welcome to the lovely weather of Autumn! We thank all of you who supported the recent Golf and Tennis Outing for which we couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful day. I especially would like to thank the outing’s committee members for their hard work and the extensive amount of time they spent to make this event happen.

As you know, the Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts has been holding public hearings and accepting written reports seeking practitioner’s input regarding the technology, practices and policies adopted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Commission intends to use the information obtained to make recommendations to the Unified Court System regarding the adoption of these practices going forward.

We are providing our input to the Commission and need your assistance. Please take a minute to respond to the survey emailed to you so that we can accurately reflect our members’ experiences and opinions of the pandemic procedures and what would be beneficial going forward.

As many Parts have been resuming in-person court appearances while also retaining virtual court appearances, we are continuing to work with the Hon. Desmond Green, Administrative Judge, Supreme Court, Richmond County, regarding the return of our attorney room located in 25 Central Avenue or an alternative space in the meantime so that that there is a quiet location for attorneys to attend virtual appearances while also being in the Courthouse for in-person appearances. We hope this issue will be resolved soon.

After a two year Covid hiatus, we are happy to bring back the RCBA Holiday Party where we celebrate the season and thank the Richmond County court personnel who assist us throughout the year. We encourage you to attend and sponsor this wonderfully speech free event where you can socialize with your colleagues while partaking in the delicious food and drinks of The Above Rooftop.

As always, we encourage any members who have any issues which they believe the Association might address to let us know.

Thank you and be well.

Kerri L. Bringslid

President

2022 September Message:

I hope you all had a wonderful summer and are looking forward to the beautiful weather that is the Fall season. I am honored to serve as the President of the Richmond County Bar Association and am looking forward to the year ahead.

In the coming months, we intend to keep you posted on any changes in the judiciary and the manner in which the judges are handling his/her calendar. In a recent meeting with the Hon. Desmond Green, Administrative Judge, Supreme Court, Richmond County, we were advised that each judge will continue to determine if appearances will be in-person, virtual, or hybrid in his/her part. To that end, we are working with the Hon. Judge Green to have our attorney room located in 25 Central Avenue restored or obtain an alternative space in the meantime so that that there is a quiet location for attorneys to attend virtual appearances while also being in the Courthouse for in-person appearances.

As many of you know, RCBA joined numerous other bar associations seeking to raise the 18-b compensation for indigent children and adults. The matter is pending before the Hon. Lisa Headley in Supreme Court, New York County who recently granted plaintiffs’ motion for a preliminary injunction seeking interim payment in the amount of $158 per hour. New York City filed a notice of appeal, but the State did not. We will keep you posted on this matter as same progresses and are happy to report on the interim relief.

As a reminder, please note the following:

· The Appellate Division, Second Department is resuming in person oral arguments today, September 6, 2022. See attached.

· Surrogate’s Court, Richmond County is resuming in person court appearances for the Wednesday Motion and Proceedings Calendar Effective commencing September 28^th, 2022.

· SITLA 58^th Anniversary Gala – Wednesday, September 14, 2022. See attached.

· Hispanic Heritage Celebration – Monday, September 26, 2022. See attached.

· RCBA Golf & Tennis Outing – Thursday, October 6, 2022. See attached.

Lastly, we encourage any members who have any issues which they believe the Association might address to let us know. Without your input and suggestions, we are unable to always address your needs and concerns.

Thank you and I look forward to working with you during my term.

Kerri L. Bringslid

President