"Better Together:" Steven Epstein Installed as President of NYSACDL

Steven Epstein was inducted as president of the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers at a several hundred person event at Cipriani Wall Street in New York on January 18.

Barket Epstein was a sponsor for the evening, and many members of the firm attended the event to celebrate Steve's induction into this important one year role. He will represent thousands of criminal defense attorneys in New York on issues ranging from taking positions on legislation to educating via CLEs to taking a group to be admitted to the Supreme Court of the United States.

An excerpt from Steve's remarks, which were also published in part as a letter in "Atticus" magazine are below:

Fifty years ago, President John F. Kennedy speaking at Vanderbilt University,
said “this Nation was not founded solely on the principle of citizens'; rights. Equally
important…is the citizen's responsibility. For our privileges can be no greater than
our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the
performance of our responsibilities. Each can be neglected only at the peril of the
other.”

We together, must remain vigilant to safeguard what has been achieved.
This is our responsibility. This is our obligation. We carry that duty into the
criminal courts in which we defend our clients. We carry it onto the steps of the
legislature where we continue fighting for greater fairness for our clients. And we
carry it into the court of public opinion, where our clients are so often and so
brutally maligned. We together must do all of this and so much more.

This will require great effort. We can accomplish this when we become
better together. As this year unfolds, I will call on each of you to help. Together
we will seek your ideas and listen to them. We will look to be more inclusive as
we create pathways for our members to take active roles in our committees and
our leadership. Opening these pathways will make us stronger and more diverse.