Howard A. Levine Award for Excellence in Juvenile Justice and Child Welfare at a May 2 ceremony at the State Bar Center in Albany.
Mediation is a rapidly expanding field of practice for lawyers.
But lawyers who may dazzle in the courtroom often have little experience with mediation, and therefore fail to use the skills they will need to be successful. These constantly evolving areas of law require lawyers to keep current. From Manhattan to Massena, the way New York lawyers practice law is changing at lightening speed. Fast-paced technologies, more consumers willing to take their chances with legal help available on the Internet and stiff competition mean getting ahead of the curve or getting pushed aside. Recommendations focus on combating bias and prejuduie in the legal system, enhancing access to the justice system for all New Yorkers, improving the functioning of the jury process, ensuring adequate court facilities and resources to meet today's demands fostering a user-friendly court system, avoiding delays in justice, addressing ethical issues affecting lawyers and judges, and promoting public understanding and media portrayal.