Joining a Committee of the New York City Bar Association

New York City Bar
Image: pexels.com

Closter, NJ resident Amy Goldenberg received her JD from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College. Amy Goldenberg of Closter, NJ, has been involved in the professional community and belongs to the NYC Bar Association’s NYC criminal courts committee. This committee studies how the New York City Criminal Court and New York State Supreme Court criminal section operates.

Since 1870, the New York City Bar Association (City Bar), has promoted excellence among the state’s legal professionals. To guide the organization’s activities and advocacy efforts, the City Bar maintains 150 committees that host continuing legal education programs, write reports on legislation, and file briefs on legal cases. 

Participating on one these committees grants individuals numerous benefits. These include the opportunity to build a professional network, expand knowledge outside of one’s legal practice, and explore personal interests relating to the legal field. To be eligible for appointment to a City Bar committee, professionals must belong to the organization and be in good standing. Student members of the organization can only serve on a committee for one year, while other professionals serve three-year terms.

Most committees maintained by the City Bar consist of up to 39 members. One-third of these members are replaced with a new class of members each year to observe a rotating member base. The members are appointed to their respective committees by the City Bar president.

NYC Bar Committee Supports Reduction of Class A Misdemeanor Sentences

Closter, NJ resident Amy Goldenberg earned her juris doctor from Touro Law School. A judicial clerk in Closter, NJ, attorney Amy Goldenberg is a member of the Criminal Courts Committee of the New York City Bar Association. 

The New York City Bar’s Criminal Courts Committee recently issued a report supporting the One Day to Protect New Yorkers Act, a proposed bill that would reduce the maximum sentence for Class A misdemeanors by one day. While the organization has previously expressed approval for the proposed legislation, reiteration was necessary due to unfair application of existing laws against immigrants. 

The proposed legislation, if enacted, will reduce the maximum punishment for Class A misdemeanors in New York. Furthermore, it would apply retroactively, reducing by one day the sentences for people previously convicted of this class of misdemeanors. 

Under existing laws, the maximum sentence for such misdemeanors is one year. In the wake of a renewed crackdown on immigration, federal immigration authorities have used enhanced powers to target immigrants who have been sentenced to terms of one year or longer. The proposed reduction of Class A misdemeanors by one day to 364 days instead of 365 would safeguard immigrants from such deportation actions.