About the Policy Department
The Policy Department coordinates the City Bar’s policy work, legislative activity and advocacy. Our committees participate in shaping public policy in a variety of ways including writing on pending or proposed legislation, testifying at hearings, writing letters to public officials, drafting amicus briefs and making lobby visits. It is our job to facilitate these activities and ensure that the City Bar’s reports and policy positions are communicated to the key players at the most impactful times. Click here to see the Policy Department’s 2024-25 Committee Year Highlights.
Mary Margulis-Ohnuma
Senior Policy Counsel
212.382.6767
Email Mary
Elizabeth Kocienda
Director of Advocacy
212.382.4788
Email Elizabeth
Anna Matuszewski
Administrative Assistant
212.382.6660
Email Anna
Raabia Qasim
Associate Policy Counsel
212.382.6655
Email Raabia
In partnership with committee members, we:
- work with committees to develop policy positions and issue reports (including legislative reports, statements, letters, op-eds, testimony, policy papers, etc.);
- strategize on timing and optimal format of distribution;
- assist in communicating our positions to policymakers and related stakeholders;
- track legislative developments and provide updates;
- conduct advocacy work, including arranging and conducting meetings with key legislators, staffers and agency officials; and
- work with committees to develop advocacy strategies for legislation they’ve proposed.
Check out our additional helpful resources:
- “Committee Reports, Policy Recommendations and Advocacy” section of the Committee Handbook
- How a bill becomes a law
- Glossary of frequently used phrases
- Committee Reports and Member Best Practices
- Lobbying for Passage of a Bill: Some Basics
- Your Committee Issued a Legislative Report… Now What?
Submit a Committee Report
If your committee has a report ready to submit for review by the Policy Department and the City Bar’s President, please submit it through our “Report Intake Form.”
How to get involved:
Contact us
If your City Bar committee would like guidance on how to get involved, please contact the Policy Team – we’d be happy to discuss your committee’s interests and goals and how we can help.
Follow us
All City Bar members (and others who ask to join the mailing list) receive the City Bar’s weekly eNews newsletter by email. It includes information on what’s going on at the City Bar, including descriptions of, and links to, the City Bar’s most recent policy work.
You can also follow the City Bar’s social media accounts for the latest news and updates on the City Bar’s policy work.
Join us
If you are not a member of one of the City Bar’s committees and are interested in getting involved, please visit the “Committees” section of our website, which features information on all of our committees and how you can join.
The City Bar’s policy work is member driven. Join us!