Fall 2020 Newsletter
Recent news, events, and useful information from the
Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association
So far during the COVID-19 pandemic, five district judges in the Northern District have issued decisions in seven cases arising from various executive orders of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo responding to the pandemic. The cases have involved restrictions on religious gatherings, overnight religious camps, firearm retailers, weddings in indoor restaurants, outdoor auto racing, and interstate travel.

By Kim Zimmer

Dear Members! Normally, in the Fall newsletter, we would be providing you with information about our upcoming Annual Meeting and Dinner in December. As you all know, however, nothing about this year is normal.


By Chief Clerk of Court John Domurad

While the Northern District of New York has made many changes and accommodations over the past seven months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the greatest challenges has been how to protect the First Amendment right of public access to court proceedings.

On September 2, 2020, Attorney General William P. Barr announced the designation of Antoinette T. Bacon as the Acting U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. § 3345(a)(3).

Gabriella E. Modesti, who graduated in June from Jamesville-DeWitt High School, won the FCBA’s Annual Essay Contest with this entry, “The Founding Fathers Kept a Secret.”

Zoe Costanza, a senior at Fayetteville-Manilus High School, won the FCBA’s First-Ever Art Contest with this entry, “Why Philadelphia? The Constitutional City.”

The FCBA’s 15th Annual Golf Event was cancelled at the last moment due to lack of participation. And then, unbeknownst to a dozen of its participants, it was resurrected informally at venues in the Capital Region and Central New York.

Upcoming Events
* Events are subject to change based on the status of the pandemic.

October 30 at 10am
Zoom CLE on Implicit Bias and the Experiences of Marginalized Groups; details here

December 3
FCBA Annual Meeting via Zoom; details soon

December 9
Indian Law and Immigration CLE; details soon
Share Your FCBA Story!

Tell us what FCBA membership has meant to you. Did you learn something valuable? Did you meet a potential employee/employer? Did you make an important connection? Let us know by emailing schilders@ndnyfcba.org and tell us if we can share your comments on our website.
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