Roundtable: NYS Redistricting Decision

Host David Miranda is joined by political strategist Liz Benjamin and law professor Vin Bonventre to analyze the recent decision by the NYS Court of Appeals on how the state of New York draws its congressional district boundaries. Listen to the spirited conversation covering the decison, the dissent and the possible political implications of this ruling. 
 

The Miranda Warnings roundtable's December episode takes a critical look at the first cases in the 2023-24 term heard by the state’s highest court. The panel analyzes recent arguments dealing with when a suspect is in custody and should be read Miranda rights and whether police can stop a bicyclist in the same manner as a motorist.

The episode was recorded on Dec. 1 shortly after the death of U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. Albany Law School professor and court watcher Vin Bonventre recounted O’Connor’s wisdom.

“She was a justice that really considered the practical realities. What are the impacts of the decisions of the court on real life on real human beings, whether we're talking about affirmative action, LGBTQ rights, and the separation of Church and State,” said Bonventre. “She was the swing vote on the court. She was a Conservative Republican, but she wasn't insane, she had a great deal of common sense. You look back at most of her decisions and say, boy, they were wise, very, very wise.”

Political strategist Liz Benjamin reminds listeners not to forget the groundbreaking appointment of O’Connor to the court by President Ronald Reagan more than 40 years ago.

“She had a very fascinating career. You look at the bench now and you don’t think to yourself there was a time when there weren't women on this bench,’” she said. “Her breaking of the glass ceiling on the highest court in the nation is an accomplishment that we don't think about enough. It's worthwhile reading her obituary and remembering all that she accomplished. “

Past NYSBA President and host David Miranda turned the attention to the New York State Court of Appeals, which has seen an increase in its caseload in the four months since Chief Judge Rowan Wilson assumed leadership of the court. Bonventre detailed his research for an upcoming article on the changes at the court.

“I found that the court's caseload has increased by almost 50% since Chief Judge Wilson has been in charge of scheduling oral arguments,” he said. “Wilson has made it clear, while he was associate judge, and made it clear during his interviews for chief judge, that he thought the court ought to be hearing more cases, and they certainly are.”

The roundtable is back after a summer hiatus with a lively discussion on the cases to watch before the Supreme Court this fall. Host David Miranda is joined by Albany Law professor and court expert Vin Bonventre and political strategist Liz Benjamin.  

The New York State Bar Association’s latest episode of its “Miranda Warnings” podcast features an interview with Alan Barinholtz talking about his newfound stardom and the success of the comedy series” Jury Duty.”

Barinholtz plays judge Alan Rosen in the 8-part series streaming on Amazon’s Freevee channel. The show examines what it’s like to be on a sequestered jury during a civil liability case. In the show, however, all of the people are actors except for one juror named Ronald Gladden. He thinks the trial is real and he is part of a documentary on what it’s like to serve on a jury.

It may surprise viewers to learn that Barinholtz is a practicing attorney in Ohio and Illinois with a career spanning 40 years in personal injury litigation. He chose to pursue law after spending a few years after college trying to make it as an actor and standup comedian. Now the 72-year-old is back at it and loving every minute of it.  He is as surprised as anyone about the success of the show, which garnered 4 Emmy nominations this month.

“In my wildest dreams, I never imagined that it would take off the way it has taken off,” he said. “For the life of me I don’t think anyone thought it would catch fire like it did. “

His sons, accomplished actors and writers Ike and Jon Barinholtz encouraged their dad to audition for “Jury Duty” when he was visiting the family in Los Angeles in late 2021. They submitted a video audition and Barinholtz secured the role a month later.

In the podcast episode, Barinholtz provides a behind the scenes perspective on what it was like to work on the production, mixing scripting with improv and endless hours of rehearsal. He tells host David Miranda about the one scene where he nearly lost his composure.

“When Todd the eccentric inventor comes in with the chair pants, I started chucking and did all I could to keep from cracking up,” he said.

Hear more about the behind the scenes work with the cast, crew of Jury Duty, and Barinholtz's perspective on the current SAG-AFTRA strike in this episode of Miranda Warnings.

From assigned counsel rates, to the repeal of Judiciary law 470, and Clean Slate, the Miranda Warnings Roundtable dissects the wins and losses of the session which just wrapped up this week. 

Dick Lewis sits down with host David Miranda to lay out the vision for his term as president of the New York State Bar Association. HIs priority is to help remove the hurdles that prevent lawyers around the state from fully realizing their potential to succeed professionally while serving clients and expanding access to justice.

Former New York State Court of Appeals Judge Albert Rosenblatt joins David Miranda to discuss his book "The Eight: The Lemon Slave Case and the Fight for Freedom". The book details the case of 8 slaves granted freedom by the New York Courts when they arrived in New York harbor. The slaves were property of a Virginia family traveling to Texas by ship which docked in New York.   

Touro Law Professor Patty Salkin discusses the increase in lawyers leading academic institutions and how it is opening new career paths for lawyers. 

Technology can both help and hurt in the cause of justice. In a fascinating conversation, Vivian Wesson shares how artificial intelligence and facial recognition are being used in both criminal and civil law.   

Past presidents David Miranda and Hank Greenberg discuss a pivotal time in history for America, the world and the New York State Bar Association. Shortly after its founding, the association was at the forefront of international politics leading an effort to establish a world court where nations could arbitrate differences to prevent war.