Arent Fox partner Bernice Leber has completed her term as president of the 80,000-member New York State Bar Association, the nation’s largest voluntary state bar. Bernice served as the association’s 111th president and the fifth woman president in its 138-history.

As president, Bernice is widely credited for launching a series of reforms and initiatives dedicated to improving the professional lives of attorneys, helping clients, enhancing citizens’ access to the civil and criminal court system, and, most importantly, pursuing equal justice for all New Yorkers. Some of Bernice’s most noteworthy programs included the formation of a task force on wrongful convictions and authorizing a study on conditions in New York courthouses. Bernice’s efforts to improve the legal system in New York State were hailed by attorneys, legal academics and the media.

During her term as NYSBA president, Bernice spoke and wrote numerous articles, columns and editorials analyzing some of the most important and salient legal, social and economic issues of the day, including the death penalty, the mortgage foreclosure crisis and the debate over climate change. She was a frequently sought after by the media to serve as an analyst and commentator in articles and news segments.

Bernice’s 2008-2009 Report to the New York State Bar Association Membership, describing some of the highlights and profound accomplishments of her presidency may be read by clicking here.  

A profile of Bernice that appeared in the New York Law Journal when she first took office as NYSBA president in June 2008 may be read by clicking here.

Below are just a few additional examples of the extensive news coverage and articles generated by Bernice's NYSBA presidency in 2008 and 2009: 

May 1, 2009 — New York Law Journal — As a Lawyer, Lincoln Saw Our Higher Calling

Marking the bicentennial of Abraham Lincoln's birth, Bernice published  a piece in the New York Law Journal  exploring  Lincoln's career as a lawyer before he was elected president of the United States and how his commitment to public service during that period of his life should still inspire lawyers today.

February 1, 2009 — The New York Times — Examining Human Error in Wrongful Convictions

Bernice was interviewed for an article that appeared in the Sunday New York Times reporting on the results of a New York State Bar Association Study on wrongful convictions. “A new examination of wrongful convictions in New York City and around the state found that a number of them stemmed not from DNA evidence being used to prove someone’s innocence, but from a far older phenomenon: human error,” the Times reported. “Bernice K. Leber, the president of the bar association, said the wrongful convictions have not only eroded public confidence in the criminal justice system but have also had a significant, often-overlooked economic impact. A 1984 state law permits lawsuits and damage awards for unjust conviction and imprisonment. ‘These are huge numbers of dollars we’re talking about,” Ms. Leber said. “What kind of toll is that taking on the state? I really do think that this report will be a seismic step and a wake-up call for our legislators and the governor to take a hard look at where these dollars are going.’”

January 26, 2009 — New York Law Journal — Confronting the Economic Crisis

Bernice wrote a column on how the legal profession should respond to issues presented by the global economic crisis, including climate change. “As lawyers, we play an integral role in shaping and implementing laws and policies that touch on every aspect of life in America. At this time in our history, perhaps no two are more important than the economy and the future of our planet. The two are integrally entwined.”

December 8, 2008 — The National Law Journal — Is the Legal System Ready?

Bernice’s provocative commentary explored the financial crisis’s impact on the American legal system. “Home foreclosures are hitting all-time records. Unemployment has reached a level not seen since soon after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. America’s automobile industry could be on the verge of collapse. And uncertainty is wreaking havoc on the world economy. … Events of this magnitude do not happen without the courts playing a significant role, Is America’s legal system ready? The answer, unfortunately, is no.”

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 percent 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 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 – 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 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 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 – 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 – The Albany Times Union – New Bar President

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

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.