Committees
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Bankruptcy Litigation Committee
The Bankruptcy Litigation Committee is composed of professionals who are frequently involved in litigation practice that is unique to Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. This committee seeks to foster camaraderie among those who litigate in the bankruptcy courts and elsewhere while providing learning opportunities related to current bankruptcy litigation issues and significant developments.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Chairs, Vincent Indelicato, Esq.,vindelicato@proskauer.com or Eric B. Fisher, Esq., efisher@binderschwartz.com
Central Islip U.S. Courthouse Committee
The Central Islip U.S. Courthouse Committee works with that Court and organizes CLE programs and social events of interest to federal practitioners in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The Committee is Chaired by Hon. James M. Wicks.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to Teresa Ngo (teresa.ngo@federalbarcouncil.com), who will connect you with the Committee Chair, Kevin P. Mulry, Esq.
Civil Rights Committee
The Civil Rights Committee is composed of FBC members engaged in civil rights litigation before the federal courts of the Second Circuit. The Committee will foster collaboration and camaraderie among professionals involved in civil rights and civil liberties law, with the goal of upholding the United States Constitution and promoting equal justice under the law. The Committee will sponsor educational projects and initiatives to support and improve the quality of civil rights litigation and encourage dialogue among the bench and bar on important civil rights issues.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Co-Chairs, David B. Shanies Esq., david@shanieslaw.com or Deborah I. Francois Esq., deborah@shanieslaw.com
Committee on Sentencing and Alternatives to Incarceration
The Federal Bar Council’s Committee on Sentencing and Alternatives to Incarceration helps to monitor and suggest various improvements in sentencing, prison conditions, and post-discharge assistance. If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair Co-Chairs, Carine Williams, Esq., carinemichellewilliams@gmail.com or Anna Skotko, Esq., anna@skotkolaw.com
Connecticut Committee
Over 160 members of the Federal Bar Council live or practice in Connecticut. The Federal Bar Council, through its Connecticut Committee, conducts receptions, legal education programs, and public service projects of particular interest to Connecticut members. Membership in the Federal Bar Council enables Connecticut practitioners to have Circuit-wide input.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, Rowena A. Moffett, Esq., rmoffett@bswlaw.com
Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee serves to honor the Federal Bar Council’s legacy of inclusion and advancing equality in the legal profession by promoting diversity. Diversity encompasses, without limitation, race, color, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, and marital or partnership status. It also extends to all practice areas, such as government service, not-for-profit, private practice, solo practice and specialty fields, among others.
The Diversity Committee will seek to increase diversity in the legal profession and in membership of the Federal Bar Council by conducting CLE courses, developing mentoring programs and providing networking opportunities.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to Committee Co-Chairs Melanie Speight at mspeight@proskauer.com or Karine Louis at karine.louis@ny.frb.org
Editorial Board of the Federal Bar Council Quarterly
The Federal Bar Council publishes the Federal Bar Council Quarterly, which includes articles on topics of interest to the Federal Bar Council community, including legal histories, profiles of judges and others who have contributed to the Second Circuit legal community, new judicial appointments, recent programs of the Council and Council events, and columns by the Council President and editors-in-chief of the Quarterly.
This working board meets quarterly and is actively seeking prospective members who are interested in and committed to writing on a regular basis.
If you are interested in simply writing an article for the Quarterly or information about joining the Board of Editors please contact the Editor, Bennette Deacy Kramer, Esq., bdk@schlamstone.com
Employment Litigation Committee
The Employment Litigation Committee of the Federal Bar Council is composed of practitioners from all perspectives. This committee fosters camaraderie and provides opportunities for professional development through stimulating programs and discussion pertaining to emerging issues in employment litigation.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email with your resume to the Co-Chairs, Keisha-Ann G. Gray, Esq., kgray@proskauer.com, and Valdi Licul, Esq., vlicul@wigdorlaw.com
Federal Criminal Practice Committee
The Federal Criminal Practice Committee was established to bring together attorneys with a broad cross-section of expertise in the federal criminal system. This committee is dedicated to fostering collaboration among judges, prosecutors, and the defense, with the goal of examining and improving the federal criminal justice system so as to further the interests of justice.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to Committee Co-Chairs David B. Anders, Esq. dbanders@wlrk.com or Carolyn Pokorny Esq., carolynpokorny@gmail.com
First Decade Committee
The First Decade Committee is made up of lawyers in their first ten years of practice. Committee members collaborate to organize a wide range of events, including brown bag lunches with judges and notable practitioners, social and networking events, and community service programs. The committee is an excellent way for lawyers in their first decade of practice to meet peers outside of their immediate work environment and become involved in the Federal Bar Council.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Co-Chairs, Joshua Bussen Esq., at jbussen@maglaw.com or Brachah Goykadosh Esq., at bgoykadosh@gmail.com
Intellectual Property Committee
The Intellectual Property Law Committee of the Federal Bar Council is devoted to developing camaraderie among those who practice intellectual property law in the federal courts within the Second Circuit, providing bar training in the practice of IP cases before the bench, and educating the judiciary about developments in patent, trademark and copyright law.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Chair, Kieran Doyle, Esq., kgd@cll.com
Program Committee
As an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education in New York, the Federal Bar Council offers free CLE programs to its members. The programs usually are moderated by judges of the federal districts served by the FBC.
The Council also conducts educational programs for new federal law clerks to orient them in such areas as habeas, social security, and §1983 litigation.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email either of the Committee Co-Chairs, Celeste Koeleveld, Esq., at celeste.koeleveld@
Public Service Committee
The Federal Bar Council’s Public Service Committee explores ways in which federal practitioners can make a valuable contribution to the world around us.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, Saul B. Shapiro, Esq., sbshapiro@pbwt.com
Securities Litigation Committee
The Securities Litigation Committee is composed of members of both the plaintiff and defense bars, providing a unique opportunity to discuss relevant issues impacting securities litigation from both the defense and plaintiff perspectives.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Co-Chairs, Rob Fumerton Esq., at robert.fumerton@skadden.com, or Katie Sinderson Esq., at KatieM@blbglaw.com.
Westchester Committee
The Federal Bar Council’s Westchester Committee organizes programs and events of particular interest to those who live and/or practice in Westchester County and the surrounding areas.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, Russell Yankwitt, Esq., russell@yankwitt.com