Committees
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Federal Bar Council Committees
The Federal Bar Council is an organization of lawyers who practice in federal courts within the Second Circuit.
The Federal Bar Council’s many Committees offer an opportunity to build your professional network . Prominent judges and public officials often speak at Committee meetings, and our Committees actively work on substantive legal projects, planning of CLE programs, and sponsor special events.
Learn more and explore opportunities to join one of our committees below. If you are interested in Committee membership, please contact Teresa Ngo, Manager of Membership. Committee participation is a benefit of Membership and is free for members in good standing.
Substantive Committees
Bankruptcy Litigation Committee
The Bankruptcy Litigation Committee is composed of professionals who are frequently involved in litigation practice that is unique to Chapter 11 bankruptcy cases. This committee seeks to foster camaraderie among those who litigate in the bankruptcy courts and elsewhere while providing learning opportunities related to current bankruptcy litigation issues and significant developments.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Chairs, Vincent Indelicato, Esq.,vindelicato@proskauer.com or Eric B. Fisher, Esq., efisher@binderschwartz.com
Central Islip U.S. Courthouse Committee
The Central Islip U.S. Courthouse Committee works with that Court and organizes CLE programs and social events of interest to federal practitioners in Nassau and Suffolk Counties. The Committee is Chaired by Hon. James M. Wicks.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to Teresa Ngo (teresa.ngo@federalbarcouncil.com), who will connect you with the Committee Chair, Kevin P. Mulry, Esq.
Civil Rights Committee
The Civil Rights Committee is composed of FBC members engaged in civil rights litigation before the federal courts of the Second Circuit. The Committee will foster collaboration and camaraderie among professionals involved in civil rights and civil liberties law, with the goal of upholding the United States Constitution and promoting equal justice under the law. The Committee will sponsor educational projects and initiatives to support and improve the quality of civil rights litigation and encourage dialogue among the bench and bar on important civil rights issues.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, David B. Shanies, Esq., david@shanieslaw.com
Committee on Sentencing and Alternatives to Incarceration
The Federal Bar Council’s Committee on Sentencing and Alternatives to Incarceration helps to monitor and suggest various improvements in sentencing, prison conditions, and post-discharge assistance. If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the current Committee Chair, Carine Williams, Esq., carinemichellewilliams@gmail.com
Connecticut Committee
Over 160 members of the Federal Bar Council live or practice in Connecticut. The Federal Bar Council, through its Connecticut Committee, conducts receptions, legal education programs, and public service projects of particular interest to Connecticut members. Membership in the Federal Bar Council enables Connecticut practitioners to have Circuit-wide input.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, Rowena A. Moffett, Esq., rmoffett@bswlaw.com
Diversity Committee
The Diversity Committee serves to honor the Federal Bar Council’s legacy of inclusion and advancing equality in the legal profession by promoting diversity. Diversity encompasses, without limitation, race, color, creed, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability, and marital or partnership status. It also extends to all practice areas, such as government service, not-for-profit, private practice, solo practice and specialty fields, among others.
The Diversity Committee will seek to increase diversity in the legal profession and in membership of the Federal Bar Council by conducting CLE courses, developing mentoring programs and providing networking opportunities.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to Committee Co-Chair Pat Miller, Esq., at pmiller@law.nyc.gov
Editorial Board of the Federal Bar Council Quarterly
The Federal Bar Council publishes the Federal Bar Council Quarterly, which includes articles on topics of interest to the Federal Bar Council community, including legal histories, profiles of judges and others who have contributed to the Second Circuit legal community, new judicial appointments, recent programs of the Council and Council events, and columns by the Council President and editors-in-chief of the Quarterly.
This working board meets quarterly and is actively seeking prospective members who are interested in and committed to writing on a regular basis.
If you are interested in simply writing an article for the Quarterly or information about joining the Board of Editors please contact the Editor, Bennette Deacy Kramer, Esq., bdk@schlamstone.com
Employment Litigation Committee
The Employment Litigation Committee of the Federal Bar Council is composed of practitioners from all perspectives. This committee fosters camaraderie and provides opportunities for professional development through stimulating programs and discussion pertaining to emerging issues in employment litigation.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email with your resume to the Co-Chairs, Keisha-Ann G. Gray, Esq., kgray@proskauer.com, and Valdi Licul, Esq., vlicul@wigdorlaw.com
Federal Criminal Practice Committee
The Federal Criminal Practice Committee was established to bring together attorneys with a broad cross-section of expertise in the federal criminal system. This committee is dedicated to fostering collaboration among judges, prosecutors, and the defense, with the goal of examining and improving the federal criminal justice system so as to further the interests of justice.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to David B. Anders, Esq. DBAnders@wlrk.com
First Decade Committee
The First Decade Committee is made up of lawyers in their first ten years of practice. Committee members collaborate to organize a wide range of events, including brown bag lunches with judges and notable practitioners, social and networking events, and community service programs. The committee is an excellent way for lawyers in their first decade of practice to meet peers outside of their immediate work environment and become involved in the Federal Bar Council.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Co-Chairs, Joshua Bussen at jbussen@maglaw.com, and Brachah Goykadosh at bgoykadosh@gmail.com.
Intellectual Property Committee
The Intellectual Property Law Committee of the Federal Bar Council is devoted to developing camaraderie among those who practice intellectual property law in the federal courts within the Second Circuit, providing bar training in the practice of IP cases before the bench, and educating the judiciary about developments in patent, trademark and copyright law.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Chair, Kieran Doyle, Esq., kgd@cll.com
Program Committee
As an accredited provider of Continuing Legal Education in New York, the Federal Bar Council offers free CLE programs to its members. The programs usually are moderated by judges of the federal districts served by the FBC.
The Council also conducts educational programs for new federal law clerks to orient them in such areas as habeas, social security, and §1983 litigation.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email either of the Committee Co-Chairs, Celeste Koeleveld at celeste.koeleveld@
Public Service Committee
The Federal Bar Council’s Public Service Committee explores ways in which federal practitioners can make a valuable contribution to the world around us.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, Saul B. Shapiro, Esq., sbshapiro@pbwt.com
Second Circuit Courts Committee
Consideration of procedural and substantive legal issues of significance is conducted through the Second Circuit Courts Committee, including drafting the comments submitted by the Federal Bar Council on proposed changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure. The Committee co-sponsors with the First Decade Committee a Fall Bench & Bar Retreat each year which enables lawyers to interact with judges and attend engaging CLE programs. The Committee meets monthly, sometimes with a speaker of note, usually a judge within the Second Circuit, who addresses the informal gathering and answers questions.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, David Y. Livshiz Esq., david.livshiz@freshfields.com
Securities Litigation Committee
The Securities Litigation Committee is composed of members of both the plaintiff and defense bars, providing a unique opportunity to discuss relevant issues impacting securities litigation from both the defense and plaintiff perspectives.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Co-Chairs, Rob Fumerton at robert.fumerton@skadden.com, and Katie Sinderson at KatieM@blbglaw.com.
Westchester Committee
The Federal Bar Council’s Westchester Committee organizes programs and events of particular interest to those who live and/or practice in Westchester County and the surrounding areas.
If you are a member in good standing and are interested in joining this Committee, please send an email to the Committee Chair, Russell Yankwitt, Esq., russell@yankwitt.com