New York City Bar Association Podcast

Latest Episodes:

The Legacy of the Handschu Consent Decree: NYPD Investigations of Political Activity Jan 03, 2025

Show notes

Muhammad Faridi, City Bar President, interviews Jethro Eisenstein, a key figure in the creation of the NYC’s Handschu Committee in response to NYPD "Red Squad" activities in the 1970s and 80s. Jethro shares the history of the Handschu litigation, a landmark case initiated in 1971 that imposed significant oversight on the NYPD’s investigation of political groups. Jethro recounts the origins of the case, the challenges that the Committee has faced through the years, and the evolution of legal oversight mechanisms over decades, including a post-9/11 revival. He reflects on his career and the impact of the Handschu guidelines on civil rights and police accountability. 01:37 Meet Jethro Eisenstein: A Legal Luminary 02:25 The Handschu Litigation: Origins and Impact 02:50 Jethro's Journey to Law and Early Career 08:14 The Red Squad and Political Surveillance 09:56 The Panther 21 Trial and Its Aftermath 12:29 Drafting the Handschu Complaint 25:57 Litigation Challenges and Class Action Certification 29:03 Settlement and the Handschu Authority 40:50 Post-9/11 Changes and Legal Battles 47:12 Revelations and the Role of the Civilian 53:20 Jethro's Legacy and Final Thoughts

Law & Order & Cryptocurrency Scams Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

In this podcast hosted by the City Bar Presidential Task Force on Artificial Intelligence and Digital Technologies, Alona Katz, Chief of the Virtual Currency Unit at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office, alongside a panel of experts, discusses the growing issue of cryptocurrency investment scams, specifically 'pig butchering,' which one guest describes as “ a confidence scam and a romance scam and an investment scam all wrapped into one.” The panel includes Inspector Osvaldo Nunez from the New York City Police Department; Kristen Spaeth, Manager on the Global Intelligence Team at Coinbase; Jonathan Scharf, Deputy Chief of Major Economic Crimes at the Queens County District Attorney's Office; and Adrian Cheek, a disruption expert. They share insights on current trends, investigation techniques, and strategies for effective disruption and seizure of assets. The group emphasizes education as a key tool for inoculating the public to these scams, the importance of public-private sector collaboration, and proactive measures to prevent scams and protect victims. If you’re interested in learning more about cryptocurrency and law enforcement trends, join us for the City Bar’s Crypto Institute on March 11 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=INS031125). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction and Host's Welcome 00:38 Meet the Experts: Introductions 05:37 Understanding Pig Butchering Scams 12:45 Law Enforcement's Perspective 22:52 Local vs. Federal Response 29:22 Private Sector Insights: Coinbase's Role 31:53 Transaction and Blockchain Analysis 32:54 Law Enforcement Collaboration 33:42 Coinbase's Protective Measures 34:35 Scam Detection Techniques 36:35 Tech Against Scams Coalition 37:28 Disruption Strategies in Investigations 40:12 Domain and Wallet Analysis 43:34 Advice for Law Enforcement 54:04 Future of Cryptocurrency Crime Units 55:45 Final Thoughts and Collaboration

Benjamin N. Cardozo Lecture: Hon. Jed S. Rakoff — "SCOTUS’ History as a Regressive Institution" Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

In this special episode we hear the Hon. Jed S. Rakoff – Senior Judge, United States District Court, Southern District of New York – deliver a speech to the Association entitled "The U.S. Supreme Court’s History as a Regressive Institution." Judge Rakoff’s speech is part of City Bar’s Benjamin N. Cardozo Lecture Series, which is inspired by the legacy of Benjamin N. Cardozo "and his love for the law, passion for justice and sympathy for humanity." First presented in 1941, previous speakers in the series have included Robert H. Jackson, Felix Frankfurter, William O. Douglas, Earl Warren, William J. Brennan, Jr., Marian Wright Edelman, and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, among many others. Judge Rakoff was introduced by Judge Raymond Lohier, of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, after a welcome from City Bar President Muhammad Faridi.

Could Agentic AI Be Your New Legal Intern? Oct 30, 2024

Show notes

Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies members Wendy Butler Curtis and Robert Mahari are joined by Cai GoGwilt, founder of Ironclad, to discuss the power and potential of Agentic AI. Their conversation explores the definitions, capabilities, and notable limitations of the emerging Large Language Models. Building on Forbes’ “intern” analogy, the co-hosts highlight the ways in which Agentic AI can enhance productivity across several fields with its hyperintelligence and adaptability to complex tasks. Curtis, Mahari and GoGwilt conclude with thoughts on its future development, ethical considerations of its usage, and anecdotes of their most interesting encounters with these tools. If you’re interested in learning more about artificial intelligence, join us for related programs at the City Bar, including the UN Summit of the Future: International Regulation of AI on November 4 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=TFDT110424) and the Artificial Intelligence in Health Care: An Overview of Laws, Policy, and Practices webinar CLE on November 6 (https://services.nycbar.org/EventDetail?EventKey=_WEB110624). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction to Agentic AI 05:14 Defining Agentic AI 08:11 Rapid Fire Q&A 09:07 Capabilities and Limitations of Agentic AI 13:55 Open Source and Future Prospects 21:26 AI's Limitations in Legal Contexts 22:01 Debating AI's Reasoning Capabilities 26:02 Practical Applications of AI in Various Industries 28:24 AI in Legal Practice: Current and Future Uses 31:47 Ethical Considerations and Professional Responsibility 32:34 Optimism and Concerns About AI's Future 40:10 Engaging with Generative AI: Practical Tips 41:56 Best and Worst Uses of Generative AI 45:47 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Chilling the Right to an Education: Combatting Policies Hostile to LGBTQ Youth Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

An increasing number of states are enacting policies hostile to LGBTQ youth, like book bans and restrictions on participation in sports. Even in states like New York where there is greater state-level support for LGBTQ rights, similar policies aimed at stifling those rights have emerged at the local level. Amy Leipziger (Project Director, Free to Be Youth Project), Ashton Hessee (Legal Fellow, Free to Be Youth Project) and Gabriella Larios (Staff Attorney, NYCLU) of the City Bar’s LGBTQ Rights Committee unpack the damage to psychological and physical health that these bans and the anti-LGBTQ culture that they promote can have on LGBTQ youth – kids who are navigating the same developmental challenges as their peers while being saddled with these additional burdens. Amy, Ashton and Gabriella also speak to how queer and trans youth – and their parents and caregivers – can understand their rights and understand how to advocate for their rights in school. All three share stories from the frontlines of litigating against these bans, and share insights on the most effective strategies for pairing litigation with grassroots community organizing. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3zp9tfd Access NYCLU’s “Your Rights as an LGBTQ Student” resource here: https://bit.ly/4euK6aC Want to learn more about the changing state of the law governing transgender athletes' participation in sports? View the City Bar’s on-demand CLE program “Transgender Athletes: Title IX and the Dynamic Legal Landscape” (https://bit.ly/4gITn0v). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction and Back-to-School Reflections 02:27 Challenges Faced by Students and Schools 04:06 Transgender Rights and School Policies 16:14 Impact of Discrimination on Mental Health 19:15 Statistics on LGBTQ+ Student Experiences 33:08 Community Support and Advocacy 46:35 Conclusion and Call to Action

Tokenization of Real-World Assets: Signals from the U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

The Presidential Task Force on AI and Digital Technologies’ Bob Schwinger hosts a discussion with fellow Task Force members Don Irwin and Tyler Yagman. They identify the key takeaways from the House Financial Services Committee’s June 5th congressional hearing about the tokenization of real-world assets, its relation to cryptocurrency, and its potential to improve market efficiency and transparency. Bob, Don, and Tyler also discuss the importance of regulatory compliance, the differences between permissioned and permissionless blockchains, and tokenization's implications for future financial inclusion. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3ZxikWG Want to learn more about emerging digital technologies and their development? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming program: Guidelines for Users and Developers of AI Powered Technologies on October 10 (https://bit.ly/GUDAI) and view our catalogue of similar on-demand CLEs (https://bit.ly/BarCTFDT). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Today's Topic 01:21 Overview of Tokenization and Congressional Hearing 02:21 Detailed Explanation of Tokenization 05:09 Legislative Proposals and Industry Perspectives 07:33 Distinguishing Tokenization from Cryptocurrency 10:26 Goals and Benefits of Tokenization 16:41 Use Cases and Practical Applications 24:30 Fundamental Principles and Regulatory Concerns 33:38 Permissioned vs. Permissionless Blockchains 39:31 Tokenizing Securities and Technological Challenges 43:22 Stable Coins, CBDCs, and Financial Inclusion 48:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

New York City’s Early Electricity History & Its Implications for the Coming Clean Energy Transition Sep 13, 2024

Show notes

President Muhammad Faridi hosts Rich Miller (former Chief of Energy Policy for New York City and former Vice President of Energy and Environmental Law at Con Edison) and Robie Craig (Senior Energy Council at the New York City Department of Citywide Administrative Services), Co-Chairs of the City Bar Energy Law Committee. The conversation touches on various aspects of energy policy and its relevance to New York City, including historical perspectives on power generation, the current shift towards clean energy, and the implementation of regulatory mandates such as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) and the Build Public Renewables Act. Muhammad, Rich and Robie also explore the city's efforts to balance environmental justice with the need for reliable energy supply, the role of Con Edison, challenges posed by intermittent renewable sources, and the steps New York City is taking to support electric vehicle adoption. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3XhBhtK Want to learn more about the impact of energy decisions and environmental justice? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming programs: The Professional Duty of Lawyers and Bar Associations in Action on Climate on September 23 (https://bit.ly/3XsQhFh) and Economic and Environmental Impacts of State and City Funded Remediation Programs on Environmental Justice Communities in NYC on October 29 (https://bit.ly/3XrirQL). Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:46 Understanding DCAS and Con Edison 11:15 New York City's Energy Landscape 16:58 Historical Perspective: The Birth of Electricity in NYC 23:52 Regulatory Framework and Environmental Justice 35:49 Future of Clean Energy and Transportation in NYC 49:03 Committee Focus and Closing Remarks

The Legacy of a Champion for Animal Personhood Sep 05, 2024

Show notes

In this episode of the New York City Bar Association podcast, hosted by Sara Chekroun and sponsored by the Animal Law Committee, the spotlight is on Steven Wise's pioneering legal career and his legacy with the Nonhuman Rights Project (NHRP). Guests Courtney Fern and Elizabeth Stein, both attorneys with NHRP, delve into Wise's groundbreaking legal strategies that fundamentally altered the framework for animal advocacy. They discuss the application of writs of habeas corpus for non-human animals, emphasizing the importance of scientific evidence in advancing animal rights cases. The conversation also covers current legislative efforts to secure bodily liberty for elephants and other animals, underscoring the impact Wise's work has had on public and judicial perceptions of animal rights. The episode pays tribute to Steven Wise's enduring influence in the realm of animal law. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/479Ng17 Read the City Bar Animal Law Committee’s recent report supporting an NYC local law regarding the keeping of elephants: https://bit.ly/46Mqwnm Read the City Bar’s Report in Support of the Elephant Protection Act: https://bit.ly/3YzV7CE 00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests 00:36 Remembering Steven Wise's Legacy 03:17 Understanding Habeas Corpus for Non-Human Animals 09:33 The Case of Happy the Elephant 23:59 Legislative Efforts for Animal Rights 27:46 Personal Memories of Steven Wise 31:31 The Evolution of Animal Rights Law 41:17 Conclusion and Call to Action

How To Achieve Cross-Platform Standards With The Metaverse Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

The metaverse isn’t just the future, it’s already here and growing in every direction. But with so many players and users expanding in the space, the boundaries between metaverse platforms are becoming more cumbersome and complex. Flora Lau and Terry Dugan of the New York City Bar Association Digital Technologies Task Force host Larry Goldberg, a pioneer in media accessibility, and Debbie Rosenbaum, a leading attorney at Meta with extensive experience in Oculus and immersive spaces. They share their thoughts on developing cross-platform standards for the metaverse, discuss the role of avatars and digital identity, and explore the challenges of making the metaverse inclusive for people with disabilities. The episode explores technical challenges, policy considerations, and the importance of social norms within virtual environments. Key topics include interoperability, the economics of digital assets, and the potential for innovative applications in extended reality. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3AFroym Listen to our first podcast episode on the metaverse: What Is the Metaverse, Really? https://bit.ly/3AE39AK Want to learn more about developing standards and best-practices for emerging technologies? Join us at the City Bar’s upcoming CLE program on October 10: Guidelines for Users and Developers of AI Powered Technologies (https://bit.ly/4dSBYAA). (This program will be available on-demand thereafter.) Visit nycbar.org/events to find all of the most up-to-date information about our upcoming programs and events. 00:00 Welcome to the Podcast 00:39 Introducing the Guests: Larry Goldberg and Debbie Rosenbaum 02:35 Larry Goldberg's Journey in Accessibility 03:54 Debbie Rosenbaum's Metaverse Experience 06:39 Meta's Vision for the Metaverse 07:41 Challenges and Innovations in Cross-Platform Standards 11:26 The Role of AR Glasses and Accessibility 25:21 The Future of Avatars and Digital Identity 29:05 Challenges of Avatar Customization 29:30 Avatar Rights and Legal Issues 32:36 Social Norms in the Metaverse 37:29 Early Days of the Metaverse 43:38 Interoperability and Business Drivers 46:11 Decentralization and Future Prospects 49:33 Final Thoughts and Takeaways

Recognizing & Enforcing Cross-Border Dispute Resolutions: Weighing in on International Law Treaties Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

Muhammad Faridi, President of the New York City Bar Association, is joined by Boaz Morag, a Counsel at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton and one of the lead drafters of a recent City Bar report analyzing for the Office of the Legal Advisor in the U.S. Department of State three private international law treaties: the Hague Convention on Choice of Courts Agreements (COCA), the Hague Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Judgments in Civil and Commercial Matters (Judgments Convention), and the UN Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation (Singapore Convention). These treaties deal with the cross-border recognition and enforcement of court judgments and mediated settlement agreements. We investigate the purpose and impact of these treaties on current practice in this country and on U.S. litigants who seek to enforce U.S. courts judgments abroad, the status of the treaties, and the detailed recommendations provided in the City Bar report. The episode provides an in-depth exploration of the potential benefits of these conventions for litigants seeking to have their judgments and settlements enforced internationally as well as the intricacies involved in implementing these treaties in the United States. Access a transcript of this episode here: https://bit.ly/3zWnD7b Read the City Bar Report on Three Private International Law Treaties here: https://bit.ly/4c5NQO2 00:00 Introduction to the Discussion 00:56 Meet Boaz Morag: Background and Career 03:54 The Role of the State Department and the City Bar 06:14 Introduction to the Three Treaties 07:56 Deep Dive into COCA and the Judgments Convention 12:12 Understanding the Judgments Convention 17:53 Criticisms and Concerns about COCA 29:28 The Singapore Convention on Mediation 34:49 Implementation Challenges in the U.S. 48:14 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

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