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"There are few areas where constitutional checks and balances are more important than the selection of U.S. Attorneys, the 93 most powerful federal law enforcement officials across the country," said New York State Bar Association President Kathleen Sweet. "The Trump administration’s installation of US Attorneys without either the vetting process that accompanies Senate confirmation, or the approval of federal judges in the district, violates the separation of powers foundational to our democracy."

This week's Miranda Warnings podcast features U.S. Supreme Court rulings ranging from the reach of executive power to the influence parents hold in determining school curriculum. The podcast brings together Albany Law School professor Vin Bonventre and political strategist Liz Benjamin. NYSBA past president and general counsel David Miranda moderates it.

There is no denying the impact Muhammad Ali had on the sport of boxing, yet a recent essay by a past president of the New York State Bar Association, T. Andrew Brown, details how his career and his willingness to hold firm to his beliefs changed much more than a sport. Brown also provides a look at how maneuvering behind the scenes at the Supreme Court changed the eventual outcome of the his case Clay v. United States. Recently, he sat down with “Miranda Warnings” host David Miranda to talk about his research and the impact of the 1971 U.S. Supreme Court case. “Ali changed the fight game, and he impacted life as we know it today, race relations, respect for the individual,” Brown said. “With respect to draftees, he limited the ability of government to mandate who was eligible for the draft and who would go to war.”

It’s been a little over a year since Chief Judge Rowan Wilson was sworn in as the chief judge of the State of New York. In this short time, the state’s highest court has seen changes in how the court operates and the number of appeals it hears. This Miranda Warnings Roundtable episode centers on the changing face at New York's Court of Appeals, its highest court. Host David Miranda is joined by Albany Law professor Vin Bonventre and political strategist Liz Benjamin.

The U.S. Supreme Court continues to make news with its decisions this spring on issues from presidential immunity to the role federal agencies play in making and enforcing government regulations. The Miranda Warnings Roundtable tackled these and other questions during a lively podcast this month. The panelists, Vin Bonventre, a professor of constitutional law at Albany Law School, and communications and political strategist Liz Benjamin started the discussion by reacting to the court’s decision on presidential immunity from criminal prosecution.

Jeff Zaino discusses the current trends in the field of arbitration and looks to the future on issues ranging from technology, use of AI and the continuing need to attract diverse talent to the profession. Zaino joined "Miranda Warnings" podcast host David Miranda for a wide ranging interview.  Calling himself "the original JZ", Zaino shared his wealth of experience in the field he has loved for more than 30 years.

President Domenick Napoletano’s humble background inspired an uncompromising work ethic that has shaped the defining moments of his professional journey. He shares his vision and priorities for the year ahead.

President Richard Lewis reflects on his groundbreaking year leading the organization and handling issues including antisemitism, changes to affirmative action and threats to funding for important legal services programs. He also shares how the year has changed him both personally and professionally.

In this month's episode of "Miranda Warnings Roundtable," our panel of experts engage in a lively discussion about the state Senate's rejection of Governor Kathy Hochul's chief judge nominee and the political ramifications.

Over the next two episodes of Miranda Warnings, David will be speaking with defense attorneys and attorneys involved in civil lawsuits against disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. Arthur L. Aidala, Esq. and Hon. Barry Kamins are a part of the team that represented Harvey Weinstein, in his defense against six felony sexual assault and rape charges. They talk to David about how their firm became involved representing Weinstein and the challenges that occur representing such a high-profile and notorious defendant. They also discuss some of their strategy behind their attempt to change the venue, why asked for a new judge and the debate about whether or not Mr. Weinstein should testify. Miranda Warnings is hosted by NYSBA’s 118th President David Miranda.

Voters in New York State will have a constitutional amendment on the ballot this November. Will they decide to add an equal rights amendment offering protection against discrimination based on gender, national origin, sexual orientation and other factors? In this episode, host David Miranda dives into the issue with the New York State Bar Association's Women in Law Section chair Kimberly Wolf Price.

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 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.