On June 1, Arent Fox partner Bernice Leber officially assumed the presidency of the 74,000-member New York State Bar Association, the nation’s largest voluntary state bar. Bernice is the association’s 111th president and the fifth woman president in its history.

Since taking office, Bernice and the various initiatives she has launched, such as forming a new task force on wrongful convictions and authorizing a study on conditions in New York courthouses, have received a significant amount of media attention, including television interviews and newspaper coverage.

Below are some additional examples of the extensive news coverage generated over the past several months by Bernice's NYSBA presidency:

October 2008 — Mann On The Street — Advocating Initiatives To Affect The Future

Mann on the Street, a monthly magazine covering Wall Street, published a profile of Bernice in its October 2008 issues, highlighting the initiatives she has launched as NYSBA president. “Bernice Leber, the newly elected president of the New York State Bar Association, is living proof of the sagacity of the member of that august organization,” the article begins. “Bernice’s trial experiences reveal her as an outstanding litigator with a complex practice that deals with both the prosecution and defense of complex civil business disputes. Her legal legerdemain is an offshoot of her exemplary personal characteristics. She’s astute, bold, charming, clever, conciliatory, discreet, judicious, prudent, shrewd and wise.”

October 2, 2008 — National Law Journal — Buzz about bridging pay gap

Bernice was interviewed by National Law Journal as part of an article on a recent report by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that women lawyers still earn far less than their male counterparts. The recent census study found that in 2007 women attorneys earned about 78% of men's median salaries, or $120,400 compared to $93,600. "Things are changing for the better. But they certainly are still — I would say — weighted in favor of males," Bernice said, adding the salary gap will shrink when more women start making managing partner, and more women start sitting on executive compensation committees — two areas that are still largely dominated by men, she said. "A lot of corporations do entrust big matters to women, and it's getting to be more the norm than the exception compared to when I started practicing," Leber said.

September 19, 2008 — New York Law Journal — Bar Groups Urge Paterson to Veto Civil Jury Bill

This article reports on Bernice’s efforts to convince NY Governor David A. Paterson to veto a bill that would institute interlocutory appeals process for disputed jury selection decisions during civil trials. Bernice said such changes would “severely disrupt” the jury selection process in civil trials and help sabotage NY Chief Judge Judith S. Kaye’s efforts to streamline jury selection and other aspects of the adjudication process.

September 5, 2008 — New York Law Journal — New Committee Targets Small Firm Challenges

The article covers the inaugural meeting in Manhattan of a newly formed NYSBA committee appointed by Bernice to conduct a “comprehensive study” of “specific issues and challenges” faced by solo and small-firm practitioners. Bernice told the New York Law Journal that the committee, along with the new Solo/Small Firm Practitioner Resource Center, “will be a tremendous asset that provides even more opportunities for solo and small practices to grow and thrive.”

September 1, 2008 — National Law Journal — State Bar Groups Want Share of 'Cy Pres' Awards

This article focuses on efforts by state bar associations to convince judges and lawyers that “cy pres” awards (unclaimed funds from class-action settlements) should be given to support organizations that offer legal services to the poor. The National Law Journal reports that Bernice has formed a committee that meets regularly with state judges to discuss cy pres opportunities and that she hopes to create a more formal program for lawyers and judges looking for charities to receive cy pres funds.

August 13, 2008 — The Wall Street Journal — Order to Release YouTube Data Sparks Backlash - On YouTube

The article covers a recent judicial order by a federal judge that required Google Inc. to turn over information about videos watched on YouTube.com and the NYSBA's recent formation of a task force to study privacy laws. Bernice is quoted, saying the judge's order raises the question of whether current laws are adequate to protecting privacy interests in today's society.

August 2008 — The Metropolitan Corporate Counsel — NY State Bar Association Announces New President

The article outlines Bernice's “aggressive agenda” as NYSBA president: working to prevent wrongful convictions; examining lawyers' privacy rights to better protect attorneys and their clients; providing new resources for solo and small firm practitioners; recommendations on making courthouses more “user-friendly,” and producing a new report and recommendations on how New Yorkers can work to lessen global climate change.

June 17, 2008 — Newsday — Editorial: To Right the Wrongs

The editorial comments favorably on Bernice's initiative to assemble an NYSBA task force to investigate wrongful convictions.

June 17, 2008 — CUNY TV — “One to One” with Sheryl McCarthy

Bernice participated in a 30-minute interview with host Sheryl McCarthy. The interview profiled Bernice and highlighted her priorities for NYSBA for the upcoming year. The segment aired numerous times during the course of the summer.

June 17, 2008 — WHCU-AM (Ithaca) — Same-Sex Marriage in New York State

Bernice participated in an interview about Governor David Paterson’s decision to recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages in New York.

June 13, 2008 — The Goshen Chronicle — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions

The article reports that the New York State Bar Association has formed a new task force to study wrongful convictions.

June 12, 2008 — Democrat & Chronicle — Make DNA More Available to New York Inmates

This article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions.

June 12, 2008 — New York Law Journal — Governor, Legislature Ordered to Raise Pay of State’s Judges

The article discusses Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Edward H. Lehner’s decision that would force the governor and legislature to raise the pay of state judges. The article includes a quote from Bernice in support of judicial pay raises.

June 12, 2008 — WNED-AM (Buffalo) — State Bar Association Studies Wrongful Convictions

The radio station reported on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA for creating a new task force to study wrongful convictions.

June 12, 2008 — Crain's INSIDER — True Confessions

The article discusses an initiative launched by the NYSBA that would require all police interrogations to be videotaped, as well as the wrongful conviction task force.

June 12, 2008 — New York Law Journal — Spitzer’s Departure Takes Pressure Off of IOLA Director

This article discusses the future of the IOLA Fund and mentions that the NYSBA had criticized Spitzer’s proposed plan that would have given the governor full control over the fund.

June 9, 2008 — Press & Sun Bulletin — New Yorkers Face Rise in Fees, Fines and Surcharges

The article reports on the increased court filing fees that limit access to the justice system for people of limited means and the NYSBA's opposition to this increase.

June 9, 2008 — Buffalo News — Opinion, Get Working

This editorial reports on the newly formed NYSBA task force that will study wrongful convictions.

June 9, 2008 — WBAI-FM (New York City) — Wrongful Conviction Task Force: Interview w/ Bernice Leber

Bernice participated in a 15-minute, live interview to discuss the newly formed wrongful conviction task force.

June 6, 2008 — WIBX-AM (Oneida County) — Wrongful Conviction Task Force: Interview w/ Bernice Leber

Bernice participated in an interview about the NYSBA wrongful conviction task force.

June 6, 2008 — The Daily Record — Knowing When to Go: There is No Easy Way to Tell a Lawyer When to Leave

The article discusses the NYSBA's opposition to mandatory retirement at law firms.

June 6, 2008 — The Post-Standard — Bar Association to Study Wrongful Convictions

The article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions

June 6, 2008 — The Buffalo Law Journal — NYC Lawyer Named State Bar President

The article announces that Bernice has assumed the position of president of the NYSBA.

June 8, 2008 — CrimProf Blog (New York Law Journal) — NY to Study Wrongful Convictions

The article reports that the NYSBA has formed a new task force to study wrongful convictions.

June 5, 2008 — Brooklyn Daily Eagle — Kamins Named Chair of Wrongful Conviction Task Force

The article reports that Barry Kamins, former president of the New York City Bar Association was selected to head the NYSBA task force on wrongful convictions.

June 5, 2008 — North County Gazette — NYSBA Task Force to Study Wrongful Conviction

The article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions.

June 5, 2008 — New York Nonprofit Press — Leber Elected Bar Association President

The article reports that Bernice has assumed the position of NYSBA president.

June 5, 2008 — The Associated Press — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions in New York

The article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions

June 5, 2008 — AM New York — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions in New York

The article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions.

June 4, 2008 — CBS 6 Albany Online — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions in New York

This article reports on Bernice's initiative launching a task force to investigate wrongful convictions.

June 4, 2008 — New York Daily News — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions in New York

The article reports on Bernice's formation of a task force to investigate wrongful convictions

June 4, 2008 — Newsday — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions in New York

The article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions

June 4, 2008 — Brooklyn Daily Eagle — City & State Bar Associations Select New Presidents

The article reports on Bernice's assumption of the NYSBA presidency.

June 4, 2008 — New York Law Journal — Kamins Tapped to Head Task Force on Wrongful Convictions

This article reports that Barry Kamins, former president of the New York City Bar Association, will head the NYSBA task force on wrongful convictions.

June 4, 2008 — The Albany Times Union — New Bar President

The article reports on Bernice's taking office as the NYSBA president.

June 4, 2008 — Examiner.com — Bar Task Force to Study Wrongful Convictions in New York

The article reports on Bernice's initiative for the NYSBA to assemble a task force to investigate wrongful convictions .

June 4, 2008 — Examiner.com — New York State Bar Association Names New President

This article reports on Bernice's assumption of the presidency of the NYSBA.

June 4, 2008 — Buffalo Business First — New York Bar Association Names President

The article reports on Bernice's taking office as the NYSBA president.

June 4, 2008 — The Albany Business Review — NY Bar Association Names President

This article reports on Bernice's upcoming NYSBA presidency.

June 4, 2008 — Newsday — New York State Bar Association Names New President

The article reports on Bernice's taking office as the NYSBA president.

June 4, 2008 — Chicago Tribune — New York State Bar Association Names New President

The article reports on Bernice's assumption of the presidency of the NYSBA .

June 4, 2008 — New York Law Journal — Privacy, Courthouse Issues Top New York State Bar Leader’s Agenda

This profile of Bernice takes a look at her career and her upcoming presidency of the NYSBA.