Monroe County Bar Association

Congratulations to MCBA member Erin E. Elmouji (Mancuso Brightman PLLC) who will be receiving a Pro Bono Award from the U.S. District Court of WNY at its annual dinner on September 12. Erin is on the MCBA's Board of Trustees, serving as Secretary. She also is involved with the Lawyers' Coalition for Racial and Social Justice and is a member of the Litigation Council. She is a stellar volunteer for many organizations, giving freely of herself and her time! Way to go, Erin! To register for the dinner, visit here: https://lnkd.in/gdkdZVtZ.

Join Kammholz Law PLLC for a Happy Fall, Happy Hour on Tuesday, October 1, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Country Club of Rochester. All are welcome! Free of charge but please rsvp here: https://lnkd.in/gJKvJCnw. Complimentary first drink!

It's Wellness Wednesday so sign up for our September Charcuterie Board-Making Class at Red, White & Brew! Sponsored by the Health & Well-Being Programming Committee, this event will showcase how to make a well-balanced charcuterie board that any guest will love. In this class you'll walk away with a beautiful NY crafted board, delicious meat & cheeses, and knowledge how to perfect your board again. Space is limited so register today here: https://lnkd.in/gaFBUvp2. There is a free parking lot directly behind Red White & Brew.

Join the Lawyers' Coalition for Racial and Social Justice and The League of Women Voters on the evening of September 24 for a discussion on criminal justice and our youth. This in-person program will focus on the complicated interplay of challenges facing young people in our community and related criminal justice involvement and what can be done about it. This town hall will feature a stellar panel of presenters, including Cynthia Smith, Assistant Chief Probation Officer in Monroe County; Hon. Deral Givens, Monroe County Family Court Judge, Maureen Polen, Attorney for the Child at The Legal Aid Society of Rochester, New York; Mike Green, Criminal Justice Professor and former MC District Attorney; Melanie Funchess, Director of Mental Health & Wellness at Common Ground Health. This event is free and open to the public. Attorneys seeking CLE credit will be asked to pay a $25 fee. Register here: https://lnkd.in/gXtGBvwX.

We are saddened to share the news that long-time dedicated MCBA member and attorney, Janice Iati, has passed away. Janice's calling hours will be held on Monday, August 26, 4-7 p.m. at Miller Funeral Home - 3325 S. Winton Road, Rochester, NY. We send our sincere condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.

Looking for a volunteer opportunity? Join members of the MCBA's Health & Wellness Committee at Flower City Pickers on the afternoon of Saturday, September 28. FCP supports our local community with free food through the recovery and distribution of safe but otherwise landfill-bound food from the Rochester Public Market. We’re looking for volunteers for a 2-hour commitment to sort produce, load truck, and clean up at the Rochester Public Market. Must RSVP in advance as space is limited. RSVP here: https://lnkd.in/g4a6es8K.

Associate Justice Stephen K. Lindley is bringing back his review of key 4th Department criminal decisions from the past two years on Tuesday, September 24, 12:15 p.m. via Zoom. What key facts drove these decisions? How do they fit with other trends at the court, in both the 4th Department and elsewhere? What issues were decided, and which ones were not? What practice pointers can be taken from the decisions? How will these decisions affect your criminal trial practice or your appellate practice?  Register today here: https://lnkd.in/gDsRyy8A

Join us for the United States District Court Western District of New York Annual Dinner on Thursday, September 12 in Rochester, starting at 5:30 p.m. and co-hosted by the MCBA and the Bar Association of Erie County! It is a wonderful evening to meet members of the Federal Bench, honor your peers, and connect with your colleagues across the Western District. As part of the evening's festivities, the Honorable Debra Livingston, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, will be in attendance as a special guest. Thank you to our dinner supporters: Bond, Schoeneck & King PLLC, Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, Aurelian Law PLLC, Counsel Press Inc., Harter Secrest & Emery LLP, Nixon Peabody LLP and Phillips Lytle LLP. Sign up today here: https://lnkd.in/gdkdZVtZ.

A Joint Statement from Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys, Rochester Black Bar Association, and Monroe County Bar Association: The Greater Rochester Association for Women Attorneys (GRAWA), the Rochester Black Bar Association (RBBA), and the Monroe County Bar Association (MCBA) congratulate Hon. Meredith Vacca who was sworn in on Monday, August 5, as a United States District Judge for the Western District of New York. Judge Vacca is the first woman of color and the first Asian American to be a judge for New York’s Western District. In February, prior to the selection process, GRAWA, RBBA, and the MCBA sent a joint letter to Senator Charles Schumer urging him to make a recommendation for this judicial vacancy that enhances the diversity of the federal bench, and Judge Vacca’s does just that. Judge Vacca’s confirmation is a historic moment and underscores the importance of creating a diverse bench in the Western District of New York and throughout the federal court system. We look forward to working with Senator Schumer’s office towards continuing the goal of a well-qualified, diverse judiciary that reflects the community that it serves. 

Member News: Congratulations to MCBA member Aasiyah Ali on joining Adams Leclair LLP as an associate! Aasiyah was previously an appellate court attorney for NYS Supreme Court, Appellate Division, 4th Dept.