Law Day

SCBA Presents Law Day Celebration

Liberty Bell recipientThe Schenectady County Bar Association observed Law Day at a special Naturalization Ceremony on May 1  at Schenectady City Hall. In addition, the Schenectady County League of Women Voters presented information its Citizenship Mentoring program as well as providing an opportunity for citizens, new and old, to register to vote. The Bar Association presented the Liberty Bell Award, which is given to a non-lawyer in recognition of his or her contributions to the justice system and support of the ideals of freedom and justice. This year’s recipient was Jim Murphy, pictured at right.

About Law Day

Law day is a national day designated to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law. It is an opportunity for bar associations and others throughout the United States to provide community education activities on how law and the legal process contribute to the freedoms that all Americans share. Law Day activities also increase awareness on how the role of courts in this democracy and the importance of jury service to maintaining the integrity of the courts.

In 1958, President Dwight Eisenhower established the first Law Day. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day, subsequently codified (U.S. Code, Title 36, Section 113). Every president since then has issued a Law Day proclamation on May 1 to mark the nation's commitment to the rule of law.

Liberty Bell Presentation

Law Day activities in Schenectady for 2014 were held May 1 at Schaffer Heights, 107 Nott Terrace, featuring tours of new courtroom and chambers located there. We also presented our Liberty Bell award, given to a
nonlawyer for initiatives in support of the justice system, to
Schenectady County Commissioner of Jurors Hope
Splittgerber. The program also included ask-a-lawyer opportunities on matrimonial, real estate and elder law matters. The event was co-sponsored by the Italian American
Bar Association and Capital District Women’s Bar Association.  Our appreciation to Hon. Vito Caruso and
his staff for hosting the event.

2013 Law Day Events Increase Public Education

High school students and adults gained greater understanding of the legal process and issues, thanks to the Schenectady County Bar Association public service activities marking Law Day.

The public information Ask-a-Lawyer program, held at Schenectady Community College, was well attended and appreciated. Handling the questions were Andrew Healey, David Fallon, Lynn Coles, Tara Moffett, Jenifer Wharton, Deanna Siegel, Daniel Malloy, and Lori Bovee. In addition to this service, SCBA Law Day Chair Bruce Trachtenberg with President Michael Basile presented the Liberty Bell Award to Ronald Butler, Schenectady Drug Court Coordinator, who spoke about the positive impact of the Drug Court as a catalyst in changing lives. The award is presented to non-lawyers for their efforts in furthering the justice system.

Also as part of the Association’s Law Day events, volunteer attorneys and judges presented a panel discussion at Schenectady High School. More than 70 students attended a program at Schenectady High School, which was chaired by the Hon. Vincent J. Reilly, Jr. and included District Attorney Robert Carney, Nancy Snyder, Jorge Rodriguez, Robert Hoffman and Kris Hanson.  Panelists spoke about considerations in their career paths in different areas of law.

Our gratitude to Committee Chair Bruce Trachtenberg, with assistance from his paralegal Mary Siudy, for planning this successful event.