BAEC Bar Association

🌟 Thank you to our 2025 Gold Sponsors! 🌟 Counsel Press • Hurwitz Fine PC • Jeffrey Freedman Attorneys • Law Office of John V. Elmore PC• The Law Offices of Timothy M. O’Mara • Personius Melber LLP• William Mattar Law Offices • Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP

Thursday Alert for Erie County Family Court: Due to a facility issue, Erie County Family Court will be closed to the public today until 12:00 PM. Emergency matters will be handled virtually. For more information, call 716-845-7444 or visit nycourts.gov.

🏈 Super Bowl excitement is high—bet responsibly. The Bar Association of Erie County encourages sports betting awareness and reminds you that confidential help is available if needed. 🔗 nyproblemgamblinghelp.org

This Black History Month, explore how history, ethics, bias, and access shape jury selection—and who gets a seat at the table. 🎓 Seat at the Table: Building Fairer Juries Through Inclusion 🗓 Feb. 24 & 26 | FREE CLE 🔗 trialacademy.org/BHM

❄️⛷️ Lawyers & Friends Ski Day ❄️ Join us for a day on the slopes at HoliMont Ski Resort—skiing, lunch, and après-ski fun in Ellicottville! 🗓 Feb 27, 2026 | ⏰ 9:30–4:30 🎟 Register by Feb 20: bit.ly/skiday26

Honoring Excellence in Our Legal Community ⚖️ The Bar Association of Erie County honors attorneys, judges, and community members whose service advances justice in Erie County. Know someone deserving? Nominate them: eriebar.org/awards/

Happy Black History Month! ✨ The Bar Association of Erie County honors the achievements and lasting impact of Black Americans on our legal system and our community. We recommit to equity, justice, and the rule of law—this month and always. ✊🏾⚖️🖤

⚖️ SCOTUS Review & Preview 2025 📅 Feb. 5, 2026 | ⏰ 12–2:30 PM 🎓 2.5 CLE Credits Key Supreme Court decisions + what’s ahead this term 🍽️ Lunch included 👉 bit.ly/2025scotus

What Every AI Policy Must Cover 🤖⚖️ Now available on-demand. Learn AI fundamentals, governing laws, risk management, and how to assess whether AI tools are trustworthy. 🧠 2.5 CLE credits (Cybersecurity & Ethics) 🎥 On-demand 👉 bit.ly/cleprograms

⏰ There’s still time to register! ⚖️ 2026 Case Law Update – Erie County Surrogate’s Court 🗓 Jan 29 | 4–5 PM 📍 The Buffalo Club ⚖️ 1.0 CLE Credit Sponsored by @NorthwestBank 🔗 bit.ly/surrogate26

Due to the continuing inclement weather, all courthouses in the NYS Court System will be closed on Monday, January 26, 2026 - except for emergency applications. For Emergency applications in Supreme Court civil cases, call: (800) 430-8457, or email: emergency@nycourts.gov.

Hiring in the legal community? Post your opening with the BAEC Career Center and reach attorneys & legal professionals across WNY. ✔ 30-day listing ✔ E-newsletter feature Submit by Friday at noon. 👉 eriebar.org/careercenter

🎓 Life After Law School 2026 | March 6 & 12 Earn all 16.0 CLE credits and connect with WNY attorneys & the judiciary. Breakfast, lunch & networking happy hour included. Thanks to our sponsors: Counsel Press, ECBF & Lippes Mathias LLP. 🔗 bit.ly/LALS2026

Congratulations to all those sworn in at the Bar Admissions Ceremony by the Bar Association of Erie County—we’re proud to welcome you to the legal profession. To those still studying: keep going. Your moment is coming, and the legal community is cheering you on.

Today, the BAEC honors the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., whose unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and the rule of law continues to guide our profession and our community. Our office will be closed today and will resume regular business hours tomorrow.

Enjoy an unforgettable night featuring live music, improv comedy, Art Studio pop-up gallery, participation prizes, and a light dinner buffet — all for a great cause. 📅 Friday, February 6, 2026 📍 M Hotel 🎟️ $30 tickets: bit.ly/ecbfnight Grab your ticket and join the fun!

🚨 Share Your Big News! 🚨 Did you move firms, make partner, or receive an award? As a FREE benefit for all BAEC members, we’ll highlight your professional milestones in the Bulletin’s Bench & Bar section. 📩 Submit your announcement: laboudiab@eriebar.org

⚖️ CLE: New Labor Laws in 2026 🗓 Jan 27 | ⏰ 12:15–1:15 PM | 💻 Zoom 🎓 1.0 CLE Credit Hear from Luisa Bostick, Esq. & Scott Horton, Esq. on key state & federal updates. 🔗 Register: bit.ly/laborlaw26

Due to the severe winter weather, our team will be working remotely today, Thursday, January 15th. Stay safe!

✨ Nominations Now Open ✨ The BAEC is accepting nominations to recognize non-lawyers, students, and community organizations who make outstanding contributions and help advance justice and equality in our community. 🔗 Learn more & nominate: bit.ly/26lawday

📘 US Supreme Court Review & Preview 2025 Rescheduled to Thursday, Feb. 5. Get a review of the Court’s biggest decisions and a preview of key cases ahead. 🎓 2.5 CLE credits 🔗 bit.ly/2025scotus