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Bar Association of Erie County Public Services and Educational Programs
Elder Law Fair
Each spring, the Bar Association of Erie County’s Elder Law Committee partners with several community groups and presents an Elder Law Fair. The program was first presented in 2001 and is well-attended, providing hundreds of seniors the opportunity to take advantage of free seminars and events designed especially for senior citizens, family members, caregivers, case managers, and other professionals in the field of aging and long-term care. Participants attend seminars that provide accurate and detailed information on law-related topics such as long-term care planning, wills, trusts and estate planning, and Medicaid/Medicare issues.
2005 Elder Law Committee Chair: Bruce D. Reinoso
For more information, contact Sharlene A. Hall, Executive Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 20) or E-mail at shall@eriebar.org
Have a Heart Food Drive
This program, which began in 1989, benefits the Food Bank of Western New York and provides much needed assistance to various charitable organizations in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua Counties. Each year, members of the Bar Association of Erie County and the legal community dedicate time, energy and financial resources to this effort. Non-perishable goods and monetary donations are collected, drop-off sites are established at Bar Association Headquarters and various law firms in Erie County, and the National Guard contributes invaluable assistance in collecting and transporting the goods. This past year, the Bar Association focused its endeavor on monetary donations and the program has met with resounding success since its inception.
For more information, contact Susan Kohlbacher, Communications Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 21) or E-mail at skohlbacher@eriebar.org
Judicial Ratings
Each year, the Bar Association of Erie County issues ratings for candidates seeking election or re-election to judicial office in Supreme Court, Erie County Court, Erie County Family Court and Buffalo City Court. The Bar Association considers its ratings of judicial candidates one of its most important public services and it endeavors to aid voters in electing the most qualified candidates.
Judicial candidates are rated on criteria including, but not limited to, integrity, experience, professional ability, education, fairness, reputation and industry. Judicial ratings are based on a process that includes interviews with those in the legal community who have had interaction with the candidates, as well as personal candidate interviews. A rating of Qualified is considered a measure of qualification for judicial office that is greater than that required for the private practice of law, and a judicial candidate must meet this standard to a high degree. A rating of Well Qualified or Outstanding requires qualifications beyond that standard.
2005 Judiciary Committee Chair: Carol White Gibson
For more information, contact Sharlene A. Hall, Executive Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 20) or E-mail at shall@eriebar.org
Law Line
The Bar Association of Erie County, through its partnership with the Western New York Public Broadcasting System, broadcasts a weekly call-in radio series to heighten public awareness of the legal profession. Members of the Bar Association volunteer as guest speakers and discuss general or specialized topics such as elder law, consumer issues, real estate, negligence, matrimonial and family law and tax law. Law Line, a one-half hour show airs on WNED-AM on Saturday mornings and is hosted by reporter/announcer Mike Desmond. The program was implemented in 1997 and remains popular with listeners.
For more information, contact Katherine S. Bifaro, Executive Director at 716-852-8687 or
E-mail at kbifaro@eriebar.org
Law Day Poster Contest
For more than 25 years, the Bar Association has presented a Law Day poster contest for public and private schools in Erie County. The contest is open to all grade school and high school students. Students are invited to create artwork that captures the spirit of the annual Law Day theme, as designated by the American Bar Association. Historically, a panel of judges, comprised of sitting judges, selects winning entries for grades 1-4, 5-8 and 9-12, and the winners are invited to the Association’s Law Day Luncheon where they are recognized and presented with savings bonds.
For more information, contact Sharlene A. Hall, Executive Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 20) or E-mail at shall@eriebar.org
Lawyers for Learning Program
The Bar Association of Erie County’s Lawyers for Learning Committee introduced an educational program in 1999 through which members of the legal community volunteer as tutors at a local inner-city school. The program is intended to assist students in improving their academic performance and building self-confidence. Approximately 100 members of the Erie County legal community, including judges, lawyers, court staff, paralegals and legal secretaries participate in this worthy endeavor on an annual basis. Each volunteer is assigned to one or two children and commits one hour per week to tutoring, principally in areas of reading, writing and mathematics. School administrators have reported marked improvements in academic performance and attendance. Lawyers for Learning was the recipient of the Buffalo Alliance for Education 2000 Gold Commitment to Education Award. Lawyers for Learning incorporated in 2003, but the program continues to operate with significant volunteer support of Bar Association members.
For more information, contact Susan Eagan at 716-858-1190 or James Eagan at 716-852-5875.
Lawyer Referral & Information Service
More than 5,000 clients each year are referred to the members of the Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral & Information Service (LRIS). The Association advertises the service to the general public and pre-screens fee-generating clients before referring them to participating attorneys. The LRIS has been referring clients to lawyers in Erie County for more than 30 years, and referrals are made to experienced lawyers in a wide range of practice areas such as bankruptcy, criminal law, elder law, family and matrimonial law, negligence, real estate and wills and estate matters.
For more information, contact Marcia McKowan, LRIS Administrator at 716-852-3100 or E-mail at mmckowan@eriebar.org
Mock Trial Tournament
The Bar Association of Erie County sponsors an annual Mock Trial Tournament for public and private high schools in Erie County. The Young Lawyers Committee coordinates the tournament, which was first presented in 1981. The program is sponsored in conjunction with the New York State Bar Association’s Law, Youth and Citizenship Committee that develops the case – criminal/civil – that is used as the statewide model. The program has strong educational emphasis and provides a forum for students to learn about the law, legal system and court procedures as well as improve on their basic skills such as listening, reasoning and ability to think on their feet. Throughout the tournament, teams argue the prosecution and defense and team members act as attorneys and witnesses. On average, approximately 40 schools compete in the local tournament each year. The winner of the Erie County Tournament advances to the Regional Tournament and the Regional Champion proceeds to the New York State Finals conducted in Albany. The winning team of the Erie County Tournament is recognized at the Association’s Law Day Luncheon. The program receives strong support by lawyers and judges who volunteer and participate as mock trial judges and attorney advisors each year.
2005 Young Lawyers Committee Chair: David W. Polak
For more information, contact Sharlene A. Hall, Executive Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 20) or E-mail at shall@eriebar.org
People’s Law School
This community service program is presented from time-to-time and is designed to help increase the public’s understanding of the law. Classes are held at a local college and are taught by lawyers and judges with special expertise in specific topical areas. Past classes have covered topics such as Understanding the Law and the Courts, Bankruptcy and Consumer Law, Civil Rights and Discrimination and Domestic Violence and Child Abuse.
For more information, contact Susan Kohlbacher, Communications Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 21) or E-mail at skohlbacher@eriebar.org
Speakers Bureau
The Bar Association of Erie County operates a Speakers Bureau to provide educational presentations to high schools, colleges and community groups. Attorneys with expertise in a wide range of practice areas volunteer their time and present classes free of charge on topics including, but not limited to, alternative dispute resolution, bankruptcy, civil rights, child abuse and neglect, domestic violence, law as a career, matrimonial and family law, medical malpractice, and social security.
For more information, contact Susan Kohlbacher, Communications Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 21) or E-mail at skohlbacher@eriebar.org
Stop DWI Student Assembly Program
Each year, the Bar Association of Erie County’s Young Lawyers Committee, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office and local law enforcement agencies combine efforts to present the Stop DWI Student Assembly Program. The program targets high school juniors and seniors during prom season and a panel – comprised of an attorney, a police officer or state trooper and a victim of drunk driving – depict realistic perspectives of the legal ramifications and devastating effects of driving while intoxicated. This successful educational program has been in place for more than 12 years and is presented to 20 schools, on average, each year.
2005 Young Lawyers Committee Chair: David W. Polak
For more information, contact Sharlene A. Hall, Executive Assistant at 716-852-8687 (ext. 20) or E-mail at shall@eriebar.org
For additional information about the Bar Association of Erie County’s public services and educational programs contact our staff at 716-852-8687.