The New York State Bar Association will hold three Continuing Legal Education workshops in Western New York this month. They are: Dec. 2, 8:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.

Update 2011

The program will focus on the most recent developments in areas regularly handled by New York attorneys, including civil procedure, matrimonial and family law, trusts and estates, criminal law, business and corporate law, and ethics and professionalism. This is a recorded session from a previous live presentation.

Note: Newly admitted attorneys will not receive credit for attending this session.

Date: Dec. 5, 9 a.m.-12:35 p.m.

Location: Ramada Hotel & Conference Center, 2402 N. Forest Road, Amherst

Credits: 7.5 MCLE Credits (6.5 Professional Practice, 1.0 Ethics)

Cost: Members, $120; nonmembers, $190

Avoiding ethical dilemmas
in day-to-day practice

Experienced faculty will use fact-based scenario hypotheticals to focus on timely issues in ethics and professionalism relating to litigation, transactional matters and the use of social media. Topics to be covered include transactional ethics and conflicts of interest, civility and social media.

Date: Dec. 15, 12:30-3:15 p.m.

Location: Holiday Inn Amherst, 1881 Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst

Credits: 4.0 MCLE Credits, 4.0 Ethics

Cost: Members $140; nonmembers, $210; students, $60

Staying current with
evidence developments

This program will cover recent significant developments and frequently litigated issues in New York state evidence law. Recent State Court of Appeals and Appellate Division decisions in the areas of Relevancy, Witnesses, Impeachment, Hearsay and Expert Opinion will among the topics covered. The program will feature a discussion of a series of evidentiary vignettes designed to deal with issues in a practical manner. It is designed for recently admitted attorneys as well as experienced litigators.

Location: Remote program

Credits: 2.5 MCLE Credits (1.5 Skills, 1.0 Professional Practice/ Practice Management)

Cost: Members $110; nonmembers, $140

Paralegals support victims
of domestic abuse

The Western New York Paralegal Association will hold its annual holiday lunch at Pearl Street Grill & Brewery at noon, Dec. 15. The beneficiary of the association's holiday charity is the Kathleen Mary Housey. Members are encouraged to bring an item to donate such as nonperishable food, infants and children's products, household items or gift cards. For a complete list of donation ideas, go to www.wnyparalegals.org.

Doyle responds to budget proposal

New York State Bar Association President Vincent E. Doyle III released a statement on the proposed 2012-13 budget for the judiciary. Doyle, a parter in the law firm of Connors & Vilardo, said the following about the financial challenges that face the system in the year ahead:

"The court system has struggled during the past year. It has incurred significant budget cuts, employee layoffs and reductions in court operations. Despite the fiscal constraints, its doors must remain open to everyone seeking its services.

"The court system has submitted a bare-bones request, recognizing that, in hard economic times, the Judiciary, like the other two branches of government, is called upon to strike a balance between its needs and fiscal reality. While a case might be made for additional funding, we urge the Legislature to approve this request in its entirety so that the Judiciary can maintain its basic operations.

"We are pleased that the budget seeks $25 million for civil legal services and $15 million to rescue the Interest on Lawyer Account Fund, two programs that are vitally needed in the current economic climate.

"Every day, New York courts resolve criminal cases, business disputes, family matters and other pressing legal concerns. In doing so, they perform an essential function to a free and stable society. The New York State Bar Association has long advocated for adequate funding for the Judiciary.

"The State Bar is analyzing how existing reductions affect day-to-day court operations and New Yorkers' access to justice. We are surveying attorneys, court personnel and others to identify problems and ways the court system might enhance its operations despite depleted resources. The findings will be issued in a report and discussed at length at our Presidential Summit during our Annual Meeting in January."

— Compiled by Matt Chandler