With an emphasis on continuing education, The New York City Bar Association (NYCBA) is hosting events in early 2024, such as “Book Bans and ‘Divisive Concepts’ Censorship Efforts in K-12 Schools Across the US-The Current State of Law and Implications.” Passed by 17 states nationwide, divisive concept laws aim to limit workplace and classroom discussion on topics related to gender, race, equity, and discrimination.
Within the classroom, such laws grant parents the right to file complaints when they feel that the teacher’s instruction violates divisive concepts laws. As the School Superintendents Association frames it, this effectively silences discussion on important issues regarding race and its legacy across US history. Among the topics that are commonly prohibited are those that delve into US policies that resulted in the dismantling of many Native American cultures and the legacy of slavery and its inequities in American society. In addition to suppressing instruction, such laws encourage perpetuating viewpoints that distort or ignore the historical record. These laws take their form from a federal Executive Order passed in September 2020 that forbids diversity training that could be construed as divisive. The NYCBA event also looks at a troubling trend of efforts to ban or remove specific books on a wide range of topics, from gender identity to racism, from public school classrooms and libraries.
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The New York City Bar Association has a focus on state as well as municipal issues, and in early 2024 announced its state legislative agenda. Among its major planks is repealing a state cap on Supreme Court justices and implementing ways of evaluating judicial needs that is flexible, evidence-based, and reflects contemporary best practices. Other primary goals include enacting the bill package Communities Not Cages. The trio of sentencing reform bills do away with mandatory minimum sentencing, shifting the focus to the individual considered, rather than simply applying a predetermined sentence. Those with lengthy sentences and presently incarcerated would also gain avenues for petitioning judges and receiving sentence reductions. Credit could also be earned that would reduce sentences through prison rule compliance and participating in vocational training, educational, and work programs. The NYC Bar also supports the New York Elder Parole Bill, which stipulates that, upon turning 55, those who have served 15 years or more in prison have a Board of Parole interview to assess if they are eligible for release to community supervision. Finally, the proposed Treatment Not Jail Act delivers off-ramps from the prison system for those with substance use and mental health issues that could better be treated elsewhere. Beyond building new homes, Habitat for Humanity is involved in efforts to salvage and repurpose materials from residences set to be demolished. An example in central New York centers on a new Micron semiconductor factory announced in late 2022.
Some 40 houses in Clay are being demolished to make room for the expansive facility. Habitat developed an ambitious repurposing plan before a single bulldozer is set to work on Burnet Road to begin clearing land. Skilled volunteers from the nonprofit went from empty house to empty house, salvaging lighting fixtures, doors, windows, and other materials. In total, 50 volunteers from local companies were involved in the project, which took two weeks to complete. Salvaged materials were taken to a local Habitat ReStore location, where they were resold to the public at a deep discount from retail prices. Profits generated through such sales are seeded back into the community through financing Habitat’s affordable homeownership program. Beyond accepting materials for home deconstructions, ReStore welcomes donations of used furniture and fixtures from community members engaged in simple renovation projects. New York City attorney Dyan Gershman works with clients in domestic and international corporate law matters and delivers advice and support in areas such as mergers and acquisitions, commercial contracts and intellectual property licensing. Dyan Gershman is active with the NYC Bar Association (NYC Bar), a professional legal organization that fulfills functions such as rating candidates in local judicial elections.
Made up of 50 members of diverse ethnicities and backgrounds, the NYC Bar’s Judiciary Committee is responsible for the candidate review process. Distinct from political office candidates, those aspiring to judge positions typically limit their statements during their campaign, avoiding comments related to politics, as well as those on issues they will likely face in the courtroom if elected. For this reason, the NYC Bar rating serves as the primary way for voters to assess potential judges. As part of this vetting process, the NYC Bar asks judicial candidates to complete a questionnaire that covers the types of trials handled over the past decade, as well as their 10 most recent trials. In addition, candidates must provide contact information for judges, attorneys, and adversaries familiar with their work. Judges who are already sitting must provide a list of recent opinions and lawyers who regularly take the stand in their courtrooms. During the June 2023 judicial races, the NYC Bar committee did not find any candidates to endorse. This had to do with candidates either not “affirmatively demonstrating” sufficient qualifications for the position they sought or refusing to participate in the process. Dyan Gershman is a New York City professional who guides Gershman Law, PLLC, where she delivers legal counsel to her US and international clients on a variety of corporate transactions and other business matters. A longtime member of the New York City Bar Association (NYCBA), Dyan Gershman supports their numerous community efforts such as NYCBA’s Lawyer Assistance Program and Virtual Attorney Support Group.
Held each week, the support group provides participating attorneys with strategies for connection, stress coping, and the implementation of healthy routines. The aim is to ease stress, which arose in many professionals during the pandemic due to mandated remote work and social distancing. In addition, it covers general techniques of fostering mindfulness and regulating emotion, with the goal of developing and maintaining routines that promote emotional and physical health. Balancing and positively orienting personal and professional attributes, the group also has a goal of ensuring that family and relationships are fostered and supported. Members provide insight into the strategies that enable them to maintain a work/life balance, whether in the office or while working at home. Dyan Gershman founded Gershman Law, PLLC, in New York in 2014, and continues to serve as the firm’s principal. Building on decades of United States-based and international experience as senior in-house counsel with General Electric and Bristol-Myers Squibb, she manages transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, and other complex aspects of corporate practice. Dyan Gershman’s involvement in her profession extends to her long-term support of the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, a project of the New York City Bar Association.
The Vance Center provides pro bono legal representation to civil society, journalism, and human rights organizations around the world, even as it works on initiatives boosting the visibility of public interest law and bringing greater diversity to the legal profession. In early 2023, the center celebrated the entrance of the second cohort of fellows into its South Africa-based mentoring program, Advancing Women in the Workplace (AWW) Project. The project is the result of a collaboration among the Vance Center, its own South African Legal Fellows Alumni Network, and the U.S. Embassy in South Africa. The AWW Project focuses on the professional needs of young women of color hoping to serve in top leadership roles in the legal community in South Africa. Its collaboration-centered events bring together new lawyer mentees and their senior lawyer mentors to share advice, experiences, and self-development strategies. At the second cohort’s April 2023 events, participants enjoyed a virtual discussion on female leadership in the legal profession, as well as a presentation on the century of progress South Africa’s women lawyers have made toward greater equality and equity. South African women leaders in the teaching and practice of law joined the discussion to outline the important role of mentorship and support for young women lawyers at the beginning of their career journeys. The award-winning firm of Bowmans South Africa partnered in launching the AWW second cohort by hosting a hybrid event attended by 80 attorneys. Representatives of the Vance Center’s Africa Sub-Committee also offered further details on its expanding work across the continent through its African Legal Fellows program. Admitted to the bar in New York and Florida, attorney Dyan Gershman manages a private law practice in New York City. Centered on corporate law, she builds on her past experience as executive counsel at two Fortune 500 companies, General Electric and Bristol-Myers Squibb. In her free time, Dyan Gershman supports charitable organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity is driven by the firm belief that all people deserve a place to live. It builds homes for families in underserved communities, relying on the help of volunteers and donors to fulfill its mission. In New York, its local chapter is Habitat for Humanity for New York State (HFH-NYS). HFH-NYS shares Habitat for Humanity’s mission. In its fiscal year July 2021 to June 2022, the organization worked with local affiliates in New York to build 68 homes, repair 96 homes, and rehabilitate 22 more. New York residents who want to support HFH-NYS can do so by either volunteering their time or donating resources. Residents can inquire about volunteer opportunities at https://habitatnys.org/volunteer/. Generally, it accepts people who can help with home construction, office work, and events. The organization also accepts volunteers to serve on its committees dealing with fundraising, family selection, and site identification. Dyan Gershman, a New York City-based attorney with over 25 years of experience, leads Gershman Law, PLLC, as managing partner. A graduate of Boston College Law School, she serves domestic and international clients and provides guidance in areas such as commercial contracts, intellectual property licensing, and joint venture transactions. Admitted to the New York State Bar and a member of the New York City bar association, Dyan Gershman supports work done through the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice, a division of the New York City Bar Association that advances global justice via ethical activity in the legal profession around the world.
Through its Access to Justice Practicum, the Vance Center helps recent law graduates in Latin America gain hands-on experience at the Pro Bono Network of the Americas, which the Vance Center co-manages. In doing so, the Center transforms legal services available in Latin America, thus decreasing people’s lack of access to justice in the area. The Access to Justice Practicum is carried out by varying organizations in Latin American countries. In Brazil, for instance, it’s carried out by Women in Law Mentoring Brazil (WLM). Young graduates involved in the Access to Justice Practicum focus on race and gender during their year with Pro Bono Network of the Americas members. Practitioners conduct research on policy and legislation that addresses discrimination and limited access to justice marginalized women face in the area. Meanwhile, Fundacion Pro Bono Chile oversees the Access to Justice Practicum in Chile, while Alianza Pro Bono Peru maintains the program in Peru. In Chile, practitioners focus on housing law and analyze legal reforms that aid in overcrowding and confinement conditions. Peru, on the other hand, focuses on making justice equally accessible to all and promotes the provision of free legal services. Dyan Gershman is a New York City attorney and the founder and parter at Gershman Law, PLLC where she manages legal services in areas such as corporate law, commercial contracts and intellectual property licensing. Outside of her legal practice, Dyan Gershman is an avid tennis player and has competed in United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments and events.
One of the keys to having impact on the court is selecting a racket of the right length and head size. In general, beginning players will want to opt for a lighter “oversize” racket with a large head size that measures over 105 square inches. This allows players to make easy contact with the ball and not over-exert themselves, especially while the arm muscles required for serves and volleys are being developed. As a player gains skills and strength, it makes sense to select a heavier racquet (over 11 ounces) with a smaller head. This is more stable, making stress on the elbow and potentially wearing a tennis elbow brace less of a concern. Seek out a “mid-size” that offers an optimal combination of feel, control, and precision. This provides a sense of being connected with the ball throughout the swing. Also make sure that the grip size is correct for the hand. This involves gripping with a standard forehand and ensuring that the non-hitting hand's index finger can fit in the space between the palm and ring finger. When it comes to strings, beginning players and those with tennis elbow will want to use multifilament string, while advanced players often opt for a racket strung with polyester string. In her current role as partner at Gershman Law, PLLC, New York City corporate attorney Dyan Gershman draws on more than 25 years of experience in legal areas such as mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and intellectual property licensing. A member of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY), Dyan Gershman supports the organization’s efforts to promote equity in the legal profession.
The WBASNY’s Equal Opportunity in the Profession Committee strives to eliminate gender bias in court systems, places of employment, and law schools. Specifically, the committee emphasizes continuing education programs to help women in legal professions advance their careers while receiving fair and equal treatment. The committee also focuses on raising awareness of gender-based wage gaps and disparity in promotions and career advancement. Additionally, it implements a strategic plan to elect more women to influential positions and promotes mentoring and resource sharing among legal professionals. |
AuthorDyan Gershman, Founder and Partner of Gershman Law, PLLC. Archives
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