The legal profession is constantly changing, and lawyers need to adapt. One of the ways they do this is by trying new things. This can include working with different types of clients, exploring new technology, and finding innovative approaches to legal problems. This is often called “law new.” It can be hard to define, but it generally means a different way of practicing law that could benefit a firm.

New York Lawmakers Pass Major Changes for 2024

New laws taking effect in New York this year include a hefty increase in the minimum wage, protections for victims of sexual assault and harassment, and more. Other notable changes include the enactment of Matthew’s Law, which will make it easier for crime victims to access drug testing resources and other life-saving information, and a new law that requires city agencies to disclose data breaches of personal information.

Another change involves a new law that will allow people who have been victims of domestic violence to renew their passports without having to attend a court hearing. This will help them travel abroad and receive the assistance they need. Another law, named after an eighth-grader who died from fentanyl poisoning, will help students stay safe by expanding their protections against bias-related crimes at colleges.

A new law will require city agencies to immediately notify affected residents when they suffer a security breach that exposes private information, including names and social security numbers. This will make it harder for hackers to steal the information of city residents. This law will also add to the existing privacy and security protections that apply to City workers and contractors.

Several new laws will protect tenants from problems with their water or their buildings. One of these will require NYCHA to notify residents in writing within 24 hours if their water is unsafe to drink or cook with. Another bill will prohibit landlords from installing keyless entry devices that can grant access to apartment tenants in building common areas.

The New York State Bar Association has updated its ethical rules to reflect recent changes in the law, particularly the law concerning attorney client privilege and conflicts of interest. These rules will become effective January 1, 2024. They can be found here. The State Bar also has created a new resource for attorneys and other licensed professionals: The Law in Context tool, which is available through the Legal Profession website. This tool provides a visual guide to the various aspects of the Code of Professional Responsibility and other ethics rules. The tool is designed to be used by both in-house and outside counsel. The tool is free to use and can be downloaded in English or Spanish. The New York State Bar Association has also created a video that explains the tool.

adminss