NYSBA’s 147th annual meeting to address legal ethics in AI

October 3, 2023 Rob Abruzzese

Domenick Napoletano, president-elect of the NYSBA, engaged in discussion at last year's Annual Meeting. This year's meeting, set for Jan. 16 to 20, serves as a critical platform for shaping legal standards and policies in New York.
Photos courtesy of the NYS Bar Association

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The New York State Bar Association’s (NYSBA) 147th Annual Meeting, scheduled for Jan. 16 to 20 at the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, is set to confront some of the most pressing issues in today’s legal landscape.

While notable figures will be recognized, the event’s primary focus remains on substantive discussion, particularly around the ethical and regulatory challenges presented by artificial intelligence (AI) in the legal sector.

The Presidential Summit, an integral part of the Annual Meeting, aims to delve into “AI and the Legal Landscape: Navigating the Ethical, Regulatory and Practical Challenges.”

Meanwhile, former Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson will be honored with the Gold Medal Award, NYSBA’s highest accolade, at a Gala on Jan. 18 at the Museum of Modern Art.

Hon. Joanne Quinones presenting Hon. Hector LaSalle, presiding justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department, with the Distinguished Jurist Award on behalf of the Judicial Section of the NYSBA.

Richard Lewis, the president of NYSBA, praised Johnson’s efforts in advancing diversity within the legal community, especially in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action.

“Jeh has been a leader in diversity, equity and inclusion,” Lewis said. Johnson’s leadership of the Task Force on Advancing Diversity has been instrumental in providing frameworks for legal diversity programs.

Johnson, a Columbia Law School alumnus, has a rich history in public service, including roles as general counsel for both the Department of Defense and the Department of the Air Force.

His work has not only had federal implications but has also impacted New York’s legal landscape significantly. Appointed as an independent monitor by then-Chief Judge Janet DiFiore, Johnson issued transformative recommendations for the state’s court system.

Though the event traditionally serves as a platform for the legal community, it also provides a public window into these pressing issues. Beyond the awards and honors, the Annual Meeting includes a range of activities designed to spur dialogue, from daily lectures to section programs. It serves as an informational hub where legal professionals and the general public can engage with matters affecting not just the legal community, but society at large.