2023 March 

Dear Members:

We are seeking nominations for members to fill the vacant positions on the Board of Directors for the 2023-2024 year. We encourage those of you looking to represent your colleagues and be active directors to submit your resume to Charlene Marchese by email at rcbaweb@gmail.com. Please note that resumes will not be accepted after March 17, 2023. As we have done in the past, we have scheduled a photo session for the RCBA composite of its Board and members. However, this year each member will receive their headshot as a free digital photo which can be used on your website or other advertising. The photo sessions will take place on Tuesday, March 28 th and Wednesday, March 29 th . More information to follow. The Commission to Reimagine the Future of New York’s Courts released its report regarding the technology, practices and policies adopted in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Basically, the recommendations are that virtual court appearances should continue, there is a need for improved technology and additional staffing for the courts, and a need for transparency and consistency amongst the courts. We will keep you posted as these matters are addressed by the court system. 

Please note the following:

 CLE – The Intersection of Matrimonial Law and Bankruptcy – Virtual - Tuesday, March

7, 2023 – free for members. Night of Nostalgia has been postponed. 

Annual Meeting – May 2, 2023  

Save the Date - RCBA Annual Gala - June 6, 2023

If you have not already paid your annual membership dues kindly do so. We will be updating our member distribution list to remove non-paying members and we wouldn’t want you to miss out on information that may assist you in your practice. As always, we encourage any members who have any issues which they believe the Association might address to let us know.

Kerri L. Bringslid

President

2023 February Message:

Although we are in the depths of winter, the days are getting longer and thankfully Staten Island Chuck predicts an early spring. In the same vein of looking ahead, the RCBA Board, Past Presidents and NYSBA Delegates met with the Taa R. Grays of the NYSBA to continue its collaboration with the NYSBA to address the future of the pandemic procedures implemented in the practice of law and other pertinent matters affecting the bar and its members. It was a dynamic conversation and we look forward to working with the NYSBA to ensure that our members’ viewpoints are conveyed and their interests considered when recommendations are being made for changes. 

As you may have seen, a new regulation went into effect authorizing electronic notary services. It provides that electronic notary services may be done remotely and to do so the notary must be in New York State when the documents are signed but the signer may be out of state. A notary must register to be an electronic notary and there are record keeping requirements including an audio and video record of all electronic notaries conducted. In addition, the new law requires all notaries, including those that perform only in-person notary services, to maintain a journal of all notarial acts performed for 10 years. 

For further information, below is a link for NYS Department of State website from which you can access a copy of the regulation. https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public

As a reminder, for those of you participating in mediation through ADR, please be aware that the

conference room located in the RCBA office at 25 Hyatt Street is available for use by members. Please let Irini N. Bekhit know when the mediation is being scheduled and she will assist in securing the room for your use. 

Lastly, if you have not already paid your annual membership dues kindly do so. We will be updating our member distribution list to remove non-paying members and we wouldn’t want you to miss out on information that may assist you in your practice.As always, we encourage any members who have any issues which they believe the Association might address to let us know.

Kerri L. Bringslid

President