The FCBA held its annual meeting and dinner on December 5, 2019, at a former-bank-headquarters-turned banquet-hall at 60 State Street in Albany.
The afternoon started with a CLE program at the James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse. The first part of the program, entitled “Effective, Efficient and Ethical Practice in Federal Court: What the Judges Want You to Know,” was moderated by Michael J. Murphy, Esq., and was presented by a panel of NDNY judges. The second part of the program, entitled “Criminal Law for Civil Practitioners,” was presented by Tina Sciocchetti, Esq., of Nixon Peabody, who provided practical guidance on how to minimize a client’s potential criminal exposure during civil litigation.
The annual FCBA meeting started at 4:30 p.m. in a former bank vault in the basement of 60 State Street, and was attended by more than 60 FCBA members. FCBA President Joann Sternheimer, the managing partner of Deily & Glastetter, LLP, called the meeting to order and introduced reports by the Treasurer, Nominations and Elections Committee, Pro Se Assistance Program, CLE Committee, Membership Committee, and Scullin Scholarship Committee.
Chief United States District Judge Glenn T. Suddaby and Senior United States District Judge Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. are pictured with this year’s Scullin Scholars, from left to right, Melissa Lin (Cornell Law), Ryan Thompson (Syracuse Law), and Megan Goss (Albany Law)
This year’s Scullin Scholars were Megan Goss of Albany Law School, Melissa Lin of Cornell Law School, and Ryan Thompson of Syracuse University College of Law. In 2005, the FCBA established the Honorable Frederick J. Scullin, Jr. Scholarship Program to recognize exemplary law students who attend the three law schools within the NDNY. The meeting concluded with a report from Chief United States District Judge Glenn Suddaby, regarding the operation of the Court.
The annual dinner started at 6:30 p.m., after a cocktail reception, and was attended by more than 90 FCBA members.
At the dinner, the FCBA recognized more than 50 attorneys for providing pro bono legal services in 2019, including attorneys who served as trial counsel for plaintiffs who could not afford to hire their own attorneys. The FCBA also honored the first recipient of the Baerman Award – Christopher Amoia, Supervisor Deputy at the U.S. Marshals Office in Syracuse. The award honors Lawrence Baerman, the recently retired Clerk of Court who served the NDNY for 38 years.
The evening’s guest speaker was Jack Casey. An author and lawyer, Jack delivered an entertaining presentation on founding father and Broadway star Alexander Hamilton’s last days in Albany. Casey was introduced by his daughter, FCBA Assistant Treasurer Molly Casey.
The following law firms sponsored the 16th annual dinner: Bond Schoeneck & King, Barclay Damon LLP, Deily & Glastetter, LLP, Boies Schiller Flexner, Blitman & King LLP, and Porter Nordby Howe LLP.