From the President

Special Anniversaries

By Vilia B. Hayes
    
   The courts in the Second Circuit have been celebrating a series of special anniversaries and the Federal Bar council and its members have been happy to be a part of the celebrations.  On Thursday, March 3, 2016, the Federal Bar Council will honor the judges of the Eastern District of New York in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the Eastern District at the 2016 Judges Reception to be held at The Union League Club.  (Register online at www.federalbarcouncil.com.)  This follows the 80th birthday celebration for the Thurgood Marshall United States Courthouse, which took place on January 27, 2016, and the year-long celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Southern District of New York.  

    Commencing in September 2016, the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit will celebrate its 125th anniversary with monthly public events, including a Federal Bar Council Inn of Court re-enactment of a famous Second Circuit appeal (to be determined).  All of the events will be posted on the Federal Bar Council calendar.
    Celebrating these anniversaries makes me pause and appreciate the beautiful court buildings and history that I, and all of us who practice in the courts of the Second Circuit, have been privileged to experience.  It also reminds us of the legendary judges and important cases that have been decided here.  

Annual Report

    I also am delighted to report that our 2015 annual report was issued in December:  http://www.federalbarcouncil.org/FBCFiles/2013_2014_FBC_Annual_Report_Website.pdf.  It has been another great year for the Council, as you can see.  I invite you all to review the report, including the work of our committees, and encourage you to volunteer for a committee.  I also encourage each of you to recommend two new members, especially junior lawyers, for membership and for participation on one of our committees.  

Membership Benefits

    As a reminder, one of the benefits of membership is that new members will receive free copies of the Second Circuit Redbook and of our recently published, beautiful Courthouses of the Second Circuit book.  Here is a link to our membership information online, which lawyers can use to join and which lists key advantages of membership, chief among which are our highly rated continuing legal education programs, offered free to members throughout the year:  http://www.federalbarcouncil.org/member_benefits.php.  Our CLE programs typically are moderated by federal judges, and all of our events provide a collegial setting for interactions among our members. 
    I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming events.