Dear Members:
May will be a busy month for the Council – and I am thrilled to have several opportunities to see you all in person at various events throughout the month.
Earlier this week, the Council’s Bankruptcy Litigation Committee hosted a tribute event for SDNY Bankruptcy Judges Shelly Chapman and Robert Drain and SDNY Chief Bankruptcy Judge Cecilia Morris. Over 400 members of the restructuring bar and several dozen judges gathered at Tavern on the Green for a lovely evening of cocktails, live music, and tributes to our honorees. It truly was an evening
to remember.
Next week we will honor Judge Denny Chin with our Learned Hand Medal at our annual Law Day Dinner at Cipriani Wall Street. I am thrilled that we have over 65 law firms represented at the dinner and look forward to raising a glass with everyone in honor of Judge Chin. Later in May, our Connecticut Committee is hosting a reception for the new judges in the District of Connecticut, and I look forward to a mini road trip to meet and welcome them and say hello to our Members up there. Finally, at
our June 2nd Judges Reception we will host a long-overdue celebration here in the city for the new judges in the Circuit, who have been confirmed since 2019 but we haven’t been able to welcome and congratulate due to the pandemic.
We continue our celebration of the Council’s 90th Anniversary with a remarkable discussion on legal practice in the Second Circuit. I hope you will join us on Wednesday, May 11th at 8:30am via Zoom for FBC@90: A Retrospective and Prospective Look at the Legal Profession in the Second
Circuit. The program will be moderated by FBC President Jonathan Moses, and feature Judge John Walker, Judge Kevin Castel, Sheila Birnbaum, Sheila Boston, Bob Fiske, Cynthia Fernandez Lumermann, and Lynn Neuner.
The transitions “back” into in-person work and events have begun to feel like an ebb and flow. As we move into a period of more in-person activity, many people are more conscious about how they are spending and allocating their time. This is a good sign that we are paying closer attention to our mental health and our changed needs or wants post-pandemic. Mental health in the legal profession has been discussed quietly for years. The pandemic has pushed the conversation to the forefront and law firms are placing a greater emphasis on the mental and emotional well-being of both attorneys and staff.
In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are pleased this month to offer a CLE on mindfulness for our Members on Wednesday, May 18th at 8:30am. Led by Sarah Stuart, CEO of The Really Mindful Group and a former clerk of Hon. Kimba Wood and longtime in-house practitioner, the program will be suitable for both those experienced with mindfulness and beginners who are ready and/or curious to create a mindfulness practice in their lives. The program is free to Members.
I look forward to seeing you in the next several weeks!
Warmly,
Anna
THE BOOKSHELF
Here is what is on my shelf this month:
This month was another slow reading month for me. I don’t often delve into the fantasy genre but received a recommendation for a book series and gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. Here is what I read this month:
- Red Rising by Pierce Brown – book one of the Red Rising Saga
- Ariadne by Jennifer Saint – the story of the daughter of Minos, sister of the Minotaur, consort of Dionysus.
- I also reread Forever by Pete Hamill (for the 3rd time!)
This month I listened to more podcasts than usual. Three that I found especially compelling and encourage you to listen to are:
- Armchair Expert’s interview with Chris Wallace
- Armchair Expert’s interview with our own Floyd Abrams
- We Can Do Hard Things interview with Hannah Gadsby – a conversation on neurodiversity and communication skills that blew my mind. I can’t recommend this episode enough.
Let me know what you’re reading!
Upcoming Programs and Events
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May 3, 2022 |
Bankruptcy Litigation Committee Spring Event |
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May 10, 2022 |
Law Day Dinner |
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May 11, 2022 |
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May 16, 2022 |
FBC Inn of Court Meeting: Team Liman |
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May 16, 2022 |
Federal Criminal Practice Committee Meeting |
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May 17, 2022 |
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May18, 2022 |
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May 19, 2022 |
Public Service Committee Meeting |
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May 19, 2022 |
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May 24, 2022 |
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June 2, 2022 |
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Quick Links
We hope you will become more involved in the Council!
- Join one of our Committees – participation is included in your annual membership dues!
- Do you know someone you think would like to become a member? Please let us know by emailing our Manager of Membership, Teresa Ngo: ngo@federalbarcouncil.com
- Participate in our Access to Counsel Project. More information about this important initiative can be found here.
- Become involved in the Council’s civics education work with the Second Circuit’s Civics Education Committee. Email Council Executive Director Anna Stowe DeNicola for more information: denicola@federalbarcouncil.com.
- Our Foundation supports several crucial projects and initiatives in the Second Circuit, including civics education, immigration, internships at the US Attorneys Offices and Federal Defenders of New York, and more. Learn more here and donate today!
