Important Information For Our Members

There will be open seat(s) on our Board of Directors at this year's elections.  Anyone interested in running for a seat on the Board can reply via this email and we will make sure your name appears on the ballot.       

For more information, contact any Officer or Director (names can be found on our website and Facebook page), or send inquiries to this email address.

We are pleased to share this link to current job opportunities with the New York State Unified Court System.     

The individual announcements contain details of the job assignment, required qualifications, and the filing deadline.  Any questions regarding the position may be directed to the contact person listed in the employment announcement.     

NCBA members are encourage them to bookmark the Court System’s “Careers” page to find updates on available jobs, as well as information on upcoming exams.

In accordance with the change in 8th District Protocols for the Expansion of Court Operations excerpt outlined below, Niagara County Family Court proceedings on the matters highlighted in bold below will be in person effective immediately; 

EXCEPT #11 Evidentiary Hearings, which will commence in person on Monday, April 4, 2022. Hearings scheduled for March 2022 will be as previously directed (in person/hybrid/virtual) by the Trier of Fact they are scheduled in front of. 

All attorneys, witnesses, principals, caseworkers and litigants will be expected to appear in person for those matters. Current OCA safety protocols include social distancing, so please include a list of people that you expect to appear when your pleading is filed or request for hearing is made so the Court can make appropriate arrangements. 

B. Matters that must be heard In-Person: 

1. All proceedings pursuant to the Criminal Procedure Law, unless the use of electronic appearances is authorized pursuant to Criminal Procedure Law Article 182 and the defendant consents. 

2. Criminal Evidentiary Hearings and Trials. 

3. Criminal Arraignments. 

4. Criminal Bail Applications, Reviews and Writs. 

5. Temporary Orders of Protection. 

6. Re-sentencing of incarcerated defendants.  

7. Essential Sex Offender Registration Act (SORA) matters. 

8. Proceedings pursuant to Mental Hygiene Law Article 10. 

9. Judicial Surrenders of Parental Rights. 

10. Civil Evidentiary Hearings and Trials. 

11. Family Court Evidentiary Hearings. 

12. Eviction Proceedings as authorized by law. 

13. Any proceeding involving a self-represented litigant(s) where the presiding Judge determines that holding the proceeding via Microsoft Teams denies the self-represented litigant(s) meaningful access to the proceeding and where the presiding Judge determines that the matter can be heard In-Person consistent with all OCA safety protocols. 

14. Child Protection intake cases involving removal applications. 

15. Juvenile Delinquency Cases involving remand placement applications, or modification thereof. 

16. Emergency Family Offense Petitions/Temporary Orders of Protection. 

17. Orders to Show Cause. 

18. General Civil Post Note of Issue settlement and Pre-Trial conferences. 

19. MHL applications for an Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) Plan. 

20. Emergency Applications in Guardianship Matters. 

21. Temporary Orders of Protection (including but not limited to matters involving domestic violence). 

22. Emergency Applications related to Covid-19. 

23. Emergency Election Law Applications. 

24. Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPO). 

25. Civil/Housing matters. 

26. Applications addressing landlord lockouts (including reductions in essential services). 

27. Applications addressing serious code violations. 

28. Applications addressing serious repair orders. 

29. Applications for post-eviction relief. 

30. The Administrative Judge or Supervising Judge may grant exceptions to the above, if necessary, to accommodate individual circumstances

The Attorneys for Children (AFC) Program invites NCBA members to apply for our introductory training webinar on April 25, 26, and 27 (links to download agenda, application, and memo are below.)  AFC will accept applications until April 15.    

 AFC represent children of all ages, primarily in Family Court matters.  They are compensated by New York State at the rate of $75/hour.  Although the rate of compensation is modest, payment is guaranteed, and many AFC find the work to be extremely rewarding, both personally and professionally.  Most AFC are solo or small firm practitioners.  Like assigned counsel work, AFC assignments can be a great way to build your own practice.        

Attorneys must apply to attend the training, and we are happy to work with those who need help obtaining the required Family Court experience.