ONEIDA COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION BAR NEWS Wiltiam P. Sehmis, President ‘on Pictorial D Directory & Composite Photo Planned for Centennial lans for the Oneida County | __Iwishto have my complimentary photo taken atthe final photo session on August 1 between 10am. and 3 pm. at the Supreme Court Law Library, 25 Bizabeth St, Utica, i [ It also lke to order a Centennial Composite Check one below: 4: $125.00 411.88-= $196.88 Unframed: $75.00 + 7.13 = $82.13 its composite ph You'll want to be in Mail the composite to Payment must accompany ordat: __ Check enclosed oy amsdlon — Please charge the composite to my credit card: | {fax this page to Pinnacle | ™®XWC__Visa_ @___________]] Publications, 315-184-9150 i | | E only happens ¢ once every 100 years! | Pinnacle |_Phnacl ubicatons, LLG B12 State Fair Boulevard, Suite 6 » Syracuse NY» 13208Page 2 PRESIDENT’S COLUMN William P. Schmitt, Esq., OCBA President ‘The strength of the Oneida County Bar Association lies with its subcommittees. Their charge is to ensure that issues relating to specific areas of our practice are addressed by those members of our Association most directly impacted. By way of example, the Family and Domestic Relations Commitiee has been working to address the difficulties associated with Family Court practice in Oneida County. While visiting judges have admirably attempted to fill the void created by two family court judge vacancies, calendar congestion continues. Adding to Family Court practice difficulties is the absence of needed Social Services workers. The Bar Association's Committee has been in contact with the Judiciary, the Department of Social Services and our elected state representatives to address these problems, The full Board of Directors awaits recommendations from its subcommittee and stands ready to provide any necessary support to address this continuing problem which affects many of our members. One of the primary responsibilities of the Courts and Judiciary Committee is screening candidates for judicial office. The process is rigorous and conducted by the Committee which, pursuant to our Association’s By-Laws, is to be ‘equally weighted politically with members subject to term limits. The fourteen members prepare and review responses to an extensive questionnaire and make inquiries of both the local and state Grievance Committees concerning potential candidates. Each candidate is thereafter interviewed, Pursuant to our By-Laws, the Committee must rank the candidate as “well qualified”, “qualified”, “qualified, but limited by experience”, or “not qualified”. To. ensure the smooth operation of subcommittees, each has been delegated the authority to adopt rules regarding internal procedures. Most commonly, these include requirements for attendance at subcommittee meetings, For some time the Judiciary Committee has been considering changes to its screening protocol June 2006 Specifically, its members voted to solicit written comments from members of the Bar Association concerning candidates to be screened. Notice is sent to our membership using the Quick Notification procedure, This policy was recently implemented and used in connection with the screening of various candidates for the position of Family Court Judge. The Judiciary Committee's new policy has generated a great deal of comment. The purpose for the protocol change was to lend greater credibility and to otherwise enhance the screening process and the ultimate finding made by our Bar Association. It comes at a time where the judicial selection process hhas been challenged Jegally and scrutinized by the state bar, the judiciary and court administrators. Should the new policy prove ineffective, the Committee will revisit its protocol. In the meantime, I encourage you to become involved in the judicial selection process and submit your written comments to the Judiciary Committee. 1 believe that criticism and debate concerning the role of the Bar Association and its Committees is healthy, and I continue to welcome the same, However, I encourage the debate from within, More direetly, T urge all lawyers to become more actively involved in the Bar Association in order to address their concerns and implement change that would benefit the practice of law in Oneida County. dvantage bstract Company, Inc. 258 Genesee Street, Suite 309 Utica, New York 13502 (315) 732-0324 (315) 732-1451 Fax Contac Chad Davis o Denis Zoghy forall your Absact and Tite Insurance neds "Wve plomise compen and eit servic."Page 3 ~\f’ LEGAL LS BRIEFS ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY: Busy law firm seeks sociate. Send resume to Paravati, Karl, Green & DeBella, 12 Steuben Park, Utica, NY 13501 STUDENT secking any form of employment in the months of June and July to get law firm experience before attending law school in August. Call Joseph Cirillo 315/527-1479 or email jmeirmur@yahoo.com ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY: Levene Gouldin & ‘Thompson, LLP secks full time attorney to work in its Workers Compensation practice group, understanding that opportunities in various other areas of litigation may be available. For this position, strong preference is for a candidate already admitted to practice law in the State of New York. Those sitting for the July 2006 New York State Bar Exam may be considered. Starting salary is $53,000 plus bonus program, with increases in starting salary commensurate with experience. Excellent benefits including pension plan Send resume to the attention of: Kevin T. Williams, Esq., Levene Gouldin & Thompson, LLP, P.O. Box F-1706, Binghamton, NY 13902-0106. Restrictions on Lawyer Advertising to be Adopted in New York Sweeping new restrictions on lawyer advertising will be enacted in New York to safeguard consumers from potentially misleading advertising and overly aggressive or inappropriate solicitation for legal services. The new rules are being adopted as a result of recommendations by both the New York State Bar Association Task Force on Lawyer Advertising and a committee specially appointed by the Administrative Board of the Court last year to study this area. It is subject to a 90-day comment period by the bar and the public, which ends Sep.1S, 2006. The amendments can be accessed from the court system's website at www.nycourts, gov/tules/proposedamendments.shuml. A copy of the proposed rules changes are on file in the Bar office. June 2006 Model Court Lunch Series Sponsored by the Oneida County Bar Association and the Oneida County Model Court Stakeholders Committee. Training seminars are held once a month in the Utica Model Court Courtroom, 200 Elizabeth Street, Utica, NY. Attorneys can apply for one (1) hour of CLE credit if they are registered with the Oneida County Bar Association as a CLE Sempass holder. Contaet the Bar office if you have any questions at 724-4901. The next seminar will be held on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Utica Model Court Courtroom, First Floor, Family Court. Presentation by Rob Ichihana, Employment Counselor, Working Solutions. This discussion will include: Services provided, providers available at a one-stop, workshops offered on monthly basis and more. To register contact Robin Robinson at the Peacemaker Program (724-1718 ext. 103). ADDRESS CHANGES: New address for Attorneys Michael J. Cancilla and Abbie Goldbas, Three Hopper Street, Utica, NY 13501 Effective May 15, 2006 the law firm of Schott & Hamlin, P.C. will be operated under the name of M. Helene Hamlin, Esq. The office locations are 298 Genesee Street, 2" Fl, Utica, NY 13501 and 39 First Street, P.O. Box 420, Ilion, NY 13357, Utica tel: 732- 6108 fax: 732-6105, Ilion tel: 895-7771 fax: 895-7230. BOOKS FOR SALE The Bar Association has five (5) autographed books for sale: Frontier Justice: The Rise and Fall of the Loomis Gang - E. Fuller Torrey, M.D. Ifinterested, please call the Bar office at 724-4901 Peter W. Antonowicz Brenda J. Antonowiez, (ezot Assistant oefa renciearapcl| | 1300 FLOYD AVENUE ROME 337-4008 | piu