BBA Foundation to offer public forum on criminal law

December 28, 2012 By Charles F. Otey Esq. Brooklyn Daily Eagle

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Since a main goal of Pro Bono Barrister is ‘telling about the good that lawyers do” we always take special note of the activities of the Brooklyn Bar Association’s Foundation Law Committee headed by Fern Finkel.

For a number of years this, committee has presented valuable legally-related public programs at no charge.

The first in calendar year 2013 will take place on Jan. 15, starting at 6 p.m., and will deal with “Criminal Law Proceedings in New York City.” The public is invited to attend at BBA headquarters, 123 Remsen St.

This will be an important opportunity for members of the lay community to hear lawyers present ‘various perspectives on criminal law” including: “Can I help you, Officer?” spelling out the Do’s and Don’ts in Police Encounters by Michael Ficchi; as well as “Arrest to Arraignment: What to expect when being taken into police custody” by Jonathan Stonbely, staff attorney for the NYC Legal AID Society.

Program organizer and moderator is Jaime Lathrop. BBA is led by President Domenick Napoletano and President-elect Andrew Fallek.
Foundation Chair Fern emphasizes that although “Reservations are not required” they “are strongly recommended.” This evening promises to provide an informational lecture on the rights of citizens under the state and federal constitutions.

To reserve a seat or more information please call BBA Executive Director Avery Eli Okin at [email protected] or phone (718) 624-0675. Sponsors also include the B.B.A. Volunteer Lawyers Project and its Lawyer Referral Service.
Barrister Finkel also urges all B.B.A. members to pass along news of this public forum by displaying flyers in offices or elsewhere.

“Our goal is to make this, as well all of our programs, available and known to the community,” she said. Going another step toward providing a positive atmosphere, the Foundation will also offer light refreshments.

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Pro Bono’s Hibsher loved Bay Ridge Lawyers holiday party!

When the Bay Ridge Lawyers Association, led by President Pasqualino Russo, held their annual Holiday Party recently, Pro Bono Columnist Chuck Otey (a past BRLA president, and current BRLA Publicity Co-Chair) was vacationing in California but asked the Eagle’s Marc Hibsher to go as the PBB representative. Others who attended said the gregarious Eagle executive “made a lot of friends that night.” Marc had a great time and told us. “I just loved covering the Bay Ridge Lawyers Holiday Party. It was like just about all of Court Street – at least the courthouse – had moved to Bay Ridge!”