Join the NDNY-FCBA First Decade Committee for a luncheon series bringing attorneys together with members of the federal judiciary in an informal setting. Held across the Northern District of New York, each session will feature a different federal judge and offer a valuable opportunity to hear directly from the bench, ask questions, and connect with colleagues.
Announcements & News
Speaking with … DLA Piper’s Bob Alessi About the Defense Team’s Win in the Karen Read Retrial
Robert Alessi, a partner in DLA Piper’s New York City office, has deep NDNY roots. Born and raised in Oneida County, Bob attended both college and law school in Albany, raised his children in the Town of Bethlehem, and regularly practices in the Northern District of...
Introducing Our Pro Se Assistance Program Attorneys
The FCBA’s Pro Se Assistance Program provides invaluable support to individuals navigating federal court without legal representation. The program relies on dedicated attorneys who have the temperament and expertise to help pro se litigants better understand court...
President’s Message: Upholding the Rule of Law and Judicial Independence in an Era of Intimidation
By Brian Butler Recent events reflect a troubling trend: intimidation tactics directed at members of the judiciary—ranging from coordinated online harassment and doxing to courthouse disruptions and false emergency reports, or “swatting” —that are inconsistent with...
Take 5 Minutes to Give Us Your Opinion!
The NDNY Federal Court Bar Association is committed to offering programming and events that reflect the interests and needs of our membership and the broader community of federal practitioners. As we look ahead, we are seeking your input on the future of our Annual Golf Tournament, as well as other member programming and networking opportunities.
NDNY-FCBA Launches Call for Entries for 11th Annual Constitution Contest
Northern District of New York – Federal Court Bar Association Launches Call for Entries for 11th Annual Constitution Contest, Announces Winners of 10th Annual Contest SYRACUSE, N.Y. — January 28, 2026 — The Northern District of New York–Federal Court Bar Association...
Starting January 1, 2026, Newly Admitted Attorneys Will No Longer Be Able to Earn Skills Credits by Webinar
Starting January 1, 2026, newly admitted attorneys (those in their first 2 years of practice) will no longer be able to earn skills credits by webinar (including Zoom programs).
Public Notice for the Reappointment of Incumbent Magistrate Judge – Plattsburgh, NY
PUBLIC NOTICE FOR REAPPOINTMENT OF INCUMBENT MAGISTRATE JUDGE. The current term of the office of United States Magistrate Judge Gary L. Favro at Plattsburgh, New York is due to expire on September 30, 2026. The United States District Court is required by law to establish a panel of citizens to consider the reappointment of the magistrate judge to a new four-year term.
Chemerinsky on the Supreme Court
By Deborah E. Moore On October 23, 2025, the District Courts for the Northern and Western Districts of New York held a virtual CLE in which Erwin Chemerinsky, Dean of the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, discussed some of the significant cases that...
President’s Message: The Quiet Strength of the Northern District
By Eric Nordby As my two-year term as President comes to a close, I have been thinking less about programs, events, or milestones, and more about something harder to quantify but easier to recognize: the quiet strength of this District’s bench and bar. The Northern...
Reflecting on the Founding of the FCBA
By Hon. Frederick J. Scullin, Jr., Senior United States District Judge Judge Scullin delivered these remarks at the FCBA’s annual dinner, held December 11, 2025, in Syracuse. Although we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Federal Court Bar Association of the...
Tips for Defending an Immigration Prosecution in the Northern District of New York
By Courtenay McKeon, Assistant Federal Public Defender Unless you took up residence under a rock in 2025, you’re likely aware that the Second Trump Administration has prioritized both civil and criminal immigration enforcement. Given the media coverage of this issue,...






