Community Benefit Agreements between developers, elected officials and community groups have grown in prominence with agreements on profile projects like Atlantic Yards in Brooklyn, Columbia University and Harlem Park in Manhattan, Yankee Stadium and Gateway Center in the Bronx, and the Mets’ Stadium in Queens. As private agreements, however, these deals pose a number of procedural, ethical, and enforcement issues.

Issue(s): Property Committee(s): Land Use Planning & Zoning Committee Subject Area(s): Land Use Planning and Zoning

Efforts to address climate change through international negotiation in Copenhagen and legislative action in Congress have encountered significant difficulties, but some remain hopeful that progress can still be made. Meanwhile, EPA is moving forward with several rulemakings that would regulate greenhouse gases under existing provisions of the Clean Air Act, and the courts have decided several climate change cases seeking injunctive relief and damages from greenhouse gas emitters. This program will examine whether there is a path toward sensible collective action on the international front, the shape of EPA regulation and Congressional deliberations, and the evolving role of the courts in addressing climate change matters.

Featured Speakers:Scott Horton, Contributing Editor of Harper's Magazine and Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School; James J. Benjamin, Jr., Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP, Co-Author of Human Rights First Report, "In Pursuit of Justice: Prosecuting Terrorist Cases in the Federal Courts; Eric Bruce, Kobre & Kim LLC, former Counselor to U.S. Attorney General Michael B. Mukasey; and Gregory Katsas, Jones Day, former Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice

Proposals to drill for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale formation have generated controversy. The New York State DEC (NYSDEC) has received extensive comments on a draft environmental impact statement (EIS). Concerns have been raised that the draft EIS does not adequately address a number of issues, including surface and ground water pollution, cumulative impacts, alternatives, and potential impacts to New York City's drinking water supply. Commenters also have questioned NYSDEC's plan not to issue comprehensive regulations. Others have suggested that the draft EIS goes too far, will set the highest bar in the country for industry, and does not suffer from shortcomings alleged by certain commenters. This program will examine the issues from all of these perspectives.

The City Bar is developing a variety of legal and policy initiatives to mitigate and adapt to Climate Change. At this meeting, committee chairs will present this work and explore opportunities to make even more valuable contributions: conducting research and writing reports, convening lectures and public programs, and participating in the planning necessary to enable our community to survive and thrive in a changed climate. Members are invited to learn about and discuss the Association's efforts and to explore ways to participate.

Speakers: Adeeb Fadil, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Chair of the Committee on International Environmental Law; Fred Fucci, Arnold & Porter LLP, Chair of the Energy Law Committee; Jaipat S. Jain, Lazare Potter & Giacovas LLP, Asian Affairs Committee; Stephen L. Kass, Carter Ledyard & Milburn LLP, Chair of the Committee on International Human Rights; Kathy Robb, Hunton & Williams LLP, Chair of the Environmental Law Committee; Mark R. Shulman, Pace Law School, Chair of the Council on International Affairs; Katlyn Thomas, Chair of the United Nations Affairs Committee

Inna Idelchik Swinton and Shawn Treadwell of Strategic Legal Solutions and Beverly R. Daniel of CareerGrowth Group discuss the opportunities to practice law on a contract or freelance basis and how these opportunities can impact your career. They also provide insight into navigating this type of employment, whether it is part of a temporary or long-term career path.

Do you aspire to be a judge or want to pursue a legal career in the judiciary? Dana Post, Kramer Levin Naftalis & Frankel LLP and Hon. Peter Moulton, Judge, Civil Court, New York County discuss the various judicial careers, as well as demystifying the varied routes to getting to the bench.

Networking is a critical skill that every attorney needs to master for both career and business development. The holidays provide numerous professional and social opportunities to practice your networking skills and make the process feel effortless. Diane M. Costigan, Northeast Managing Director, Shannon and Manch and Michelle V. Francis, Founder & Principal, The Francis Company discuss ways to motivate and leverage your professional strengths and your personality to make networking work for you.

Hear frank advice and practical tips for how to address the challenges of working a reduced or flexible arrangement. Linda Bray Chanow, Assistant Director, Project for Attorney Retention and Emily Finn, Manager of Global Associate Development, Latham & Watkins LLP discuss common challenges faced by associates taking part in reduced and flexible hours programs, as well as proven strategies for beating these obstacles and charting a course for success.

Human rights in Iran have been a critical international issue in the wake of the nation's June 12th presidential election. Since the election, there have been reports of government abuses, including speech and assembly repression, arbitrary arrest and detention, torture, and execution. The panel seeks to present diverse perspectives from scholars, human rights lawyers, and journalists on this pressing issue.Featured Speakers: Mehrangiz Kar, Human Rights Attorney, Author, Activist; Roozbeh Mirebrahimi, Journalist and Blogger; Renee Redman, Executive Director, Iran Human Rights Documentation Center; Gary Sick, Senior Research Scholar, Adjunct Professor, Columbia University

Moderator: Mark R. Shulman, Pace Law School; Chair, City Bar Council on International Affairs