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Family Court & Family Law Committee

Overview

Addresses a broad range of substantive and procedural issues regarding Family Court and family law. The Committee also participates in the Judiciary Committee's evaluation of candidates for Family Court judgeships.
Chairs
- Michael A. Weinstein
  Email Michael A. Weinstein
- Tuozhi Zhen
  Email Tuozhi Zhen
Reports
- Support for the Preserving Family Bonds Act (July 11, 2023) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary: Letter to Mayor Adams (February 18, 2022) PDF
  
  Author(s): Civil Court Committee Criminal Courts Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Council on Judicial Administration Minorities in the Courts Committee New York City Affairs Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Follow Up on Two Modification Proposals: Question 26 of the NY Bar Application and Part 523 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals (February 02, 2022) PDF
  
  Author(s): Council on the Profession Civil Rights Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Council on Children Criminal Justice Operations Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Minorities in the Profession Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Professional Discipline Committee Professional Ethics Committee Professional Responsibility Committee Legal Referral Service Committee Small Law Firm Committee - Small Law Firms in NYC
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Letter to the Biden Administration Urging Reforms Needed to Safeguard Vulnerable Youth Applying for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) (February 01, 2022) PDF
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Children & the Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Letter to Judge Ruiz Regarding Equitable Access to Justice in the NYC Family Courts (July 20, 2021) PDF
  
  Author(s): Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee Visitor Information
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Letter to the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission Regarding their May 19, 2021 Meeting with New York City Family Court Stakeholders (June 15, 2021) PDF
  
  Author(s): Visitor Information Council on Judicial Administration Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee Civil Court Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Disability Law Committee Domestic Violence Committee Housing Court Committee Juvenile Justice Committee Litigation Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Minorities in the Courts Committee State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Amending Question 26 of the New York Bar Application (June 01, 2021) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Civil Rights Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Minorities in the Profession Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report on Legislation Further Restricting the Use of Restraints on Children Appearing Before the Family Court (May 25, 2021) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee Juvenile Justice Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- The Family Court Judicial Appointment and Assignment Process (December 15, 2020) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Council on Judicial Administration Family Court & Family Law Committee Juvenile Justice Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Support for Legislation Addressing Children Aging Out of Foster Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic (September 10, 2020) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Visitor Information
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Request for COVID-19 Point Person for New York City Family Court (June 12, 2020) PDF
  
  Author(s): Council on Children Children & the Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Visitor Information
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Statement of New York City Bar Association President Roger Juan Maldonado on Measures Taken by the Unified Court System in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 17, 2020) PDF
  
  Author(s): Civil Court Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Housing Court Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Task Force on Civil Right to Counsel State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee Visitor Information
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Opposition to DHS Proposed Rule Regarding Special Immigrant Juvenile Petitions: Comments (November 15, 2019) PDF
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Children & the Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report on legislation regarding adoption by a petitioner whose parentage is legally-recognized (March 27, 2019) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Impact on Child Welfare & Youth Justice Services in NYC - 2020 NYS Executive Budget (March 19, 2019) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Juvenile Justice Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report in Support of the Child-Parent Security Act - 2020 NYS Executive Budget (March 15, 2019) PDF
  
  Author(s): Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee Matrimonial Law Committee Sex & Law Committee Health Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Opposition to Lowering JCOPE Monetary Disclosure Threshold - 2020 NYS Executive Budget (March 09, 2019) PDF
  
  Author(s): Non-Profit Organizations Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Government Ethics & State Affairs Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Ensuring Right to Counsel For Minors Facing Removal Proceedings: Testimony (December 19, 2018) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Social Welfare Law Committee Task Force on Civil Right to Counsel
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Comments on Proposed DHS Rulemaking re: Flores Settlement (November 06, 2018) PDF
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee International Human Rights Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Statement Opposing Proposed Changes to Broaden "Public Charge" Rule (October 24, 2018) PDF
  
  Author(s): Social Welfare Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Bioethical Issues Committee Civil Rights Committee Council on Children Domestic Violence Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Federal Courts Committee Health Law Committee Housing Court Committee Housing & Urban Development Committee Labor & Employment Committee Legal Problems of the Aging Committee Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights Committee Mental Health Law Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee Sex & Law Committee Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee European Affairs Committee Children & the Law Committee International Human Rights Committee United Nations Committee Disability Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Federal Immigration Enforcement in NYS Courthouses: Recommendations (July 11, 2018) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Civil Court Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Domestic Violence Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Council on Judicial Administration Juvenile Justice Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee Women in the Courts Task Force
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Criminal Prosecution, Separation, and Detention of Families Seeking Asylum (July 06, 2018) PDF
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Bioethical Issues Committee Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee Health Law Committee International Human Rights Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Support for the Protecting Sensitive Locations Act (April 05, 2018) PDF
  
  Author(s): Civil Court Committee Council on Judicial Administration Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Domestic Violence Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Pro Bono & Legal Services Committee State Courts of Superior Jurisdiction Committee Women in the Courts Task Force
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report in Support of Clarifications to the Definition of "Prospective Relative Guardian" for Purposes of Subsidized Kinship Guardianship Assistance (KinGAP) (June 15, 2017) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Social Welfare Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report in Support of Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility (March 27, 2017) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Council on Children Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Criminal Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Criminal Justice, Police Reform & Civil Rights Civil Rights Committee Task Force on Mass Incarceration Juvenile Justice Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report in Support of the "BRIDGE" Act (Bar Removal of Individuals who Dream and Grow our Economy Act) (January 30, 2017) PDF
  
  Author(s): Immigration & Nationality Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Council on Children Children & the Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report on 2015-16 Executive Budget Proposal regarding Raising the Age of Criminal Responsibility (March 12, 2015) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Corrections & Community Reentry Committee Criminal Justice Operations Committee Civil Rights Committee Criminal Courts Committee Criminal Law Committee Council on Children Family Court & Family Law Committee Criminal Justice, Police Reform & Civil Rights
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Introductory Guide to the New York City Family Court (February 01, 2012) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report to the Law Revision Commission highlighting crucial issues that should be examined in the Commission's assessment of the maintenance laws of the state and the economic consequence of divorce on the parties (November 01, 2011) PDF
  
  Author(s): Sex & Law Committee Domestic Violence Committee Matrimonial Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report on A.7836-A/S.5694-A and A.8339/S.5745 which would bring children who come into the custody of local social services districts under the jurisdiction of the Family Court (July 01, 2011) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Survey of Family Law Curricula in New York City and Long Island Law Schools (January 01, 2010) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Letter to the NYS Office of Children & Family Services regarding the Standards for the Provision of Adolescent Services for Foster Care Youth (December 01, 2009) PDF
  
  Author(s): Children & the Law Committee Family Court & Family Law Committee Council on Children
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Letter to Governor Spitzer commenting on the recently released Executive budget and urging continued support for child welfare programs and the Family Court (March 01, 2007) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Letter to the NYC Administration for Children's Services supporting the agency's collaboration with the Nurse-Family Partnership (December 01, 2006) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report regarding S.8096/A.10447 which would amend the judiciary law to allow for the assignment of counsel to the indigent by the supreme court in proceedings over which family court has a jurisdiction (July 01, 2006) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
- Report on Family Court Services in New York City (May 01, 2006) PDF
  
  Author(s): Family Court & Family Law Committee
  
  Subject Area(s):
News & Media
- New York Bar Will No Longer Ask About Juvenile Arrests (Law360) (March 17, 2023)
- Appellate Division Pares Back Bar-Admission Question on Law Enforcement Encounters, Points to Disproportionate Policing, Prosecution (New York Law Journal) (March 16, 2023)
- As His Influence Peaks in Child Welfare Field, A ‘Family Defenders’ Leader Retires (The Imprint) (September 28, 2022)
- When the City Bar Talks…. (July 22, 2022)
- Overburdened NYC Family Court Getting New Judges as Governor Signs Expansion (News4 New York) (July 01, 2022)
- NY State Bar Association Says Illegal, 'Racially Discriminatory' Bar Application Question Must Be Replaced (New York Law Journal) (January 25, 2022)
- NYSBA Asks Courts To Alter 'Illegal' Bar Admission Question (Law360) (January 24, 2022)
- Stop asking law students about juvenile records, NY State bar says (Reuters) (January 24, 2022)
- New York Moves to Ease Police Questions of Would-Be Lawyers (Bloomberg Law) (January 21, 2022)
- Governor Hochul Acts on Outstanding 2021 Bills Commented on by City Bar Committees (January 10, 2022)
- 2021 New York State Legislative Session Recap: City Bar Policy Successes (January 03, 2022)
- New York City Has New Administrative Judge to Tackle Troubles in Family Court (The Imprint) (November 30, 2021)
- Critics Say New York’s Inquiry Into Aspiring Attorneys’ Criminal Histories Violates State Law (New York Law Journal) (October 21, 2021)
- Recently Enacted Legislation: Syringe Decriminalization and Restricting the Use of Restraints in Family Court (October 12, 2021)
- NYC Bar Wants Arrest Question On Bar Application Amended (Law360) (June 16, 2021)
- City Bar Says Court System Should Change Criminal History Inquiry for Would-Be Attorneys (New York Law Journal) (June 14, 2021)
- City Bar Says NY Courts Should Not Require Bar Applicants to Disclose All Arrests and Convictions (June 14, 2021)
- 2021 New York State Legislative Session Ends with Progress on a Number of City Bar-Supported Bills (June 11, 2021)
- Virtual Proceedings in the New York State and Federal Courts: Lessons Learned and Next Steps: Roundtable on Best Practices (March 23, 2021)
- Gaps in Family Court Compromise Justice for New York Families and Children, City Bar Report Finds (New York Law Journal) (March 10, 2021)
- Virtual Proceedings in the New York State and Federal Courts: Lessons Learned and Next Steps: Experience in Complex Litigation Courts (March 09, 2021)
- Family Court Judicial Appointment and Assignment Process Causes Delays that Harm Vulnerable Children and Families (March 03, 2021)
- Family Court’s ‘transient bench,’ inefficiencies take heavy toll on kids: report (Queens Daily Eagle) (March 03, 2021)
- Virtual Proceedings in the New York State and Federal Courts: Lessons Learned and Next Steps: Experience in the Peoples’ Courts (February 23, 2021)
- Recently Enacted Legislation: Changes to Power of Attorney Law, Protecting Foster Care Youth During COVID-19 Pandemic (December 21, 2020)
- Limiting the Scope of Representation in Family Court Proceedings (New York Law Journal) (July 01, 2020)
- Statement of New York City Bar Association on U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, June 10, 2020 Decision in NY v. Ice (19-Cv-8876(Jsr)) Enjoining Civil Arrests by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents in and around New York State Courthouses (June 10, 2020)
- Statement of New York City Bar Association President Roger Juan Maldonado on Measures Taken by the Unified Court System in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic (March 17, 2020)
- 2020 NYS Legislative Agenda (January 07, 2020)
- 2019 New York State Legislative Session Recap Chart (December 20, 2019)
- Advocating in the Heat of the Legislative Session (May 31, 2019)
- NYCBA Announces 2019 Awardees for Excellence in Service to Family Court (May 14, 2019)
- New York City Bar Association Announces 2019 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Recipients (May 13, 2019)
- Statement by New York City Bar Association President Roger Juan Maldonado on New Court Directive Requiring Judicial Warrants for ICE Arrests in Courthouses (April 17, 2019)
- Immigrants Avoiding State Courts, Legal Services Due to ICE Presence, Report Says (April 10, 2019)
- City Bar Statement on New Report Detailing the Impact of ICE Courthouse Operations in New York (April 10, 2019)
- From the Policy Department: 2019 New York State Budget Recap (April 08, 2019)
- Statement on the Child-Parent Security Act (February 07, 2019)
- Reimagining Domestic Violence Services (January 17, 2019)
- NYC Bar Association makes plea to Chief Judge DiFiore over ICE arrests in the courts (July 11, 2018)
- City Bar Calls on NY Chief Judge to Issue New Rules on ICE Courthouse Arrests (July 11, 2018)
- City Bar Issues Recommendations in Response to ICE Arrests in New York State Courthouses (July 11, 2018)
- City Bar Calls on Attorney General and Secretary of Homeland Security to End Criminal Prosecution, Separation, and Detention of Families Seeking Asylum (July 06, 2018)
- New York City Bar Association Announces 2018 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 23, 2018)
- Nominations Sought for Kathryn A. McDonald Award (March 08, 2018)
- New York Expands Funding Access for Close Kin Who Become a Child's Legal Guardian (December 06, 2017)
- Avella, Hevesi Bill Expanding Protections For Foster Children Receives Governor’s Signature (Queens Gazette) (November 01, 2017)
- Recently Enacted Legislation Supported by the City Bar: KinGAP Eligibility Expansion (October 24, 2017)
- Avella, Hevesi Bill Expanding Protections For Foster Children Passes Legislature (August 30, 2017)
- 2017 McDonald Awards (May 25, 2017)
- New York City Bar Association Announces 2017 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 16, 2017)
- Allegations of “Parental Alienation” in the Context of Domestic Violence Litigation (April 21, 2017)
- Statement of City Bar President John S. Kiernan on “Raising the Age” in Final New York State Budget (April 10, 2017)
- Emergency Preparedness for Families Affected by the Executive Orders on Immigration (March 07, 2017)
- 2017 NYS Legislative Agenda Item (March 02, 2017)
- The City Bar’s Response to the New Administration (February 15, 2017)
- City Bar Announces 2016 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 12, 2016)
- New York City Bar Announces 2015 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (May 06, 2015)
- New York City Bar Announces 2014 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (April 29, 2014)
- A New Day? Language Access and NYC's New Administration (April 01, 2014)
- New York City Bar Announces 2013 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (April 26, 2013)
- Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the New York State Family Court (September 25, 2012)
- City Bar Provides Recommendations to Law Revision Commission on Divorce Maintenance Laws (November 03, 2011)
- New York City Bar Association Announces the 2011 Kathryn A. McDonald Award Winners (April 13, 2011)
Events
- Recognizing the Inherent Bias Within the Legal Profession and Identifying Your Relationship with It (October 03, 2023)

Family Court & Family Law Committee

Addresses a broad range of substantive and procedural issues regarding Family Court and family law. The Committee also participates in the Judiciary Committee's evaluation of candidates for Family Court judgeships.

42 West 44th Street, New York, NY 10036 | 212.382.6600

Family Court & Family Law Committee

Family Court & Family Law Committee

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