Riding into the Sunset: Tributes to the Life and Legacy of Judge Gary L. Sharpe

By Michael Boyle

Judge Patrick G. Radel took the bench in June 2023. In this interview, he discussed his prior experience as a litigator, his transition to being a judge, practice tips for counsel appearing before him, and the practice area’s trends and needs in the Northern District of New York.

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By Eric Nordby

In the ever-evolving landscape of law, technology has become an indispensable tool, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) software playing an increasingly significant role. In the hallowed halls of federal courtrooms, where precedent and precision are paramount, lawyers are turning to AI software like ChatGPT to streamline their processes, enhance their arguments, and gain a competitive edge. However, with this adoption comes a delicate balance of risks and benefits that practitioners must navigate. Exploring the burgeoning trend of AI software in federal court, and examining its potential pitfalls and rewards, leads me to five takeaways for legal professionals.

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April 24, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.: CLE for Law Day Outreach Volunteers; Virtual Program; more information and registration here.

April 29 starting at 8:30 a.m.: Federal Public Defender’s Criminal Defense Training CLE in Syracuse; more information and registration here.

May 1 at 3:30 p.m.: Law Day CLE: A Panel Discussion Regarding Election Law and Democracy in the Age of Election Security Concerns, “Deep Fakes,” AI and “Troll Farms” at the Rensselaer County Courthouse; more information and registration here.

May 2 at 5 p.m.: FCBA Criminal Practice Committee Happy Hour Meetup, Loch & Quay in Albany; more information and RSVP here.

May 9 starting at 8:30 a.m.: Central New York False Claims Act Symposium and CLE in Syracuse; more information and registration here.

June 3 at 3:30 p.m.: NDNY Admission Ceremony, James T. Foley Courthouse, Albany; more information coming soon.

On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the FCBA held its third annual CLE on recent updates to the federal rules. Faculty presenters consisted of Chief United States District Judge Brenda K. Sannes, Career Law Clerk Michael Langan, Court Operations Manager Lori Welch, and former law clerk John Cook, of Barclay Damon, LLP. From noon to 1:15 p.m., the faculty discussed (1) the December 1, 2023, changes to the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure, Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and Federal Rules of Evidence; (2) the January 1, 2024, changes to the District’s Local Rules of Practice for Civil Cases and Local Rules of Practice for Criminal Cases; and (3) some proposed changes to the District’s 2025 Local Rules. Fifty-six FCBA members attended the CLE virtually, each receiving 1.5 credits in Law Practice Management. Other FCBA members may view the CLE for credit on the FCBA’s website. The CLE addresses a wide range of rule changes.

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Syracuse University College of Law’s annual Youth Law Day event recently brought more than 100 high school students from five regional schools to Dineen Hall for an introduction to the legal profession, hearing about the role of attorneys in society, and how to chart a path to law school.

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The NDNY-FCBA Constitutional Scholars Program is now accepting entries for its Ninth Annual Constitution Contest. As in past years, entries – which may be submitted by students in grades nine through twelve in the Northern District of New York – must regard the origin and nature of some aspect of the U.S. Constitution.

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