CAPS

If you're an attorney in public service, you don't want to miss this year's NYSBA Annual Meeting program for the Committee on Attorneys in Public Service. Educational programs are planned for the day on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, and the day is then "capped off" (pun intended) with the 2012 Awards for Excellence in Public Service, followed by a free award reception. The online brochure has all the details.

Need to resolve an ethics quandary on the go? The NYSBA now has an App for Ethics. Here's a link to the NYSBA's press announcement.

Effective February 2, 2012, the public will have greater access to records discussed during open meetings. According to the COOG* website:

The purpose of the legislation is simple: those interested in the work of public bodies should have the ability, within reasonable limitations, to see the records scheduled to be discussed during open meetings prior to the meetings.

*For those following this blog from its inception, you may remember the tip for finding the NY State Committee On Open Government's ("COOG") website just by typing into Google: COOG

If you were interested in a story we published last fall about Filarsky v. Delia, which raises the question of whether a private attorney working for a municipality is entitled to governmental immunity, then you'll probably also be interested to know that the Supreme Court heard argument on this last week (January 18, 2012). The SCOTUS blog, (which incidentally - IMHO - is one of the best blogs out there!), has full coverage of this case, including a "plain English" summary of the issue, a link to the transcript of the oral argument and all of the briefs filed (including an amicus brief filed by the American Bar Association in support of immunity).

Certainly a decision for The CAPS Blog to watch!

And so it has come to pass - another great CAPS program at the New York State Bar Association's Annual Meeting. As Chair Peter Loomis said at the beginning of the evening's awards ceremony, he always looks forward to the program because it "showcases" what CAPS is all about.

And the day was certainly "capped" off well with the awards ceremony for these four well-deserving individuals who have demonstrated a higher calling through an extraordinary commitment to service, honor and integrity in the public sector:

Stephen G. Brooks
Bennett M. Liebman
Hon. Marian W. Payson
Carl L. Van Scoyoc

Upon receiving their awards, each honoree spoke about their public service experiences, providing uniquely interesting and moving insights as well. As Chair Loomis said at the end of the ceremony, it's obvious by their words how much each person was supported so many others along the way. Obviously epitomizing the true meaning of "public service." (Click here for the NYSBA Press Announcement summarizing the experiences and accomplishments of the honorees.)

The CAPS blog also wants to give a "CAP" tip to Annual Meeting Co-Chairs Catherine Christian and Anne Murphy, a special thanks to Albany Law School's Professor Patricia Salkin for suggesting and then moderating the day's program, and a big thank you to Awards Committee Co-Chairs Theresa L. Egan and Donna M. Giliberto as well.