Donald J. Trump, the 45th President of the United States, is the first President to face criminal charges in U.S. History. In a highly charged legal landscape, one must question is this political theater or do these indictments have teeth? The four indictments are: the Classified Documents Case, Election Interference, Hush Money, and the Fulton County Case.  The New York Country Lawyers Association Amicus Curiae Podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig sat down with guest Vinoo Varghese, Expert Legal Analyst, and New York City Criminal Defense Attorney. The aim of the show is to share a balanced legal analysis, void of political influence, and based on facts.

Vinoo Varghese Bio New York City Criminal Defense Attorney

The New York County Lawyers Association Amicus Curiae Podcast host Daniel K. Wiig sat down with Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief and CEO of The Legal Aid Society, as she reflected on her inaugural year at the organization's helm. Ms. Carter is the first Black woman and first Asian American to serve in this role in the Legal Aid Society's 145 year history. In this special episode, we're discussing the wins, challenges, and the work in progress, as Twyla continues to recalibrate an out of balance system. Ms. Carter continues to fight the good fight, as she seeks to advance the Legal Aid Society and its efforts to secure funding fairness, equity, and equality. 

Pictured Above: Twyla Carter

Learn More About Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Chief, Chief Exectutive Officer of The Legal Aid Society

The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) Amicus Curiae Podcast host Daniel K. Wiig, sat down with the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), Lisa Bova-Hiatt. Mayor Eric Adams appointed Lisa Bova-Hiatt as the permanent CEO on July 6, 2023, after 10 months as the interim CEO. Running the day-to-day operations of 335 developments, 2,411 buildings, and 177,569 apartments, is no easy feat, however the newly appointed CEO is up for the job. A seasoned leader and lifelong New Yorker, Ms. Bova-Hiatt, talks about regaining the trust of NYCHA's residents, leading with empathy, comprehensive revitalization, rebuilding, and the fiduciary responsibilities of her role. The heart and soul of New York City is its communities and there is a NYCHA development in every neighborhood. This episode is not to be missed, as Ms. Lisa Bova-Hiatt shares her clear vision of renewal and transformation.   Lisa Bova-Hiatt Bio

Lisa Bova-Hiatt was appointed chief executive officer of the New York City Housing Authority in July 2023, after serving as interim CEO since September 2022.   Bova-Hiatt has more than 25 years of experience in the public sector. She joined NYCHA in February 2020 as general counsel, where she led the Authority’s Law Department and was involved with all NYCHA executive matters, including compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agreement, NYCHA’s transformation and implementation plans, and operations and administration.   She was previously general counsel of the City University Construction Fund and executive university counsel of the City University of New York (CUNY). Prior to CUNY, Lisa served as executive director of the New York Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, where she played an integral role in helping the agency carry out the reconstruction of over 12,000 homes and hundreds of infrastructure projects.   Lisa previously spent 19 years in various roles at the New York City Law Department, including as the deputy chief of the Tax and Bankruptcy Litigation Division, where she specialized in real estate acquisition and development, and chief advisor to administration officials.   She is a graduate of Villanova University and Brooklyn Law School.  

NYCLA Amicus Curiae Host Daniel K. Wiig sits down with former Assistant Director Strategic Planning, White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (1997-2001 William Clinton Administration), Robert Hausman. In October 2021, the FTC sued Xlear, Inc., a Utah-based company, for violating the COVID-19 Consumer Protection Act, alleging that it falsely pitched its saline nasal sprays as an effective way to prevent and treat COVID-19. DOJ filed the complaint on the FTC’s behalf. United States of America v. Xlear, Inc.

This case concerns COVID-19, the FTC, and free speech. Listen to this interesting conversation discussing the nuances of the case, and its possible ramifications on free speech. Has science become a victim of politics? 

Guest Information

Robert Housman, Partner, Book Hill Partners; General Counsel, Xlear; Consultant 360 Law Group; 360 Business Law America

The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) is proud to present the latest episode of the Amicus Curiae Podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig. Our guest is Richard William Painter, a prominent lawyer, and S. Walter Richey Professor of Corporate Law at the University of Minnesota Law School. Richard served as the chief White House ethics lawyer in the George W. Bush administration from 2005 to 2007.

In the wake of the recent cloud of controversy facing United States Supreme Court Justice Alito, Justice Gorsuch, Justice Kavanaugh, Justice Roberts, and Justice Thomas, regarding a myriad of questionable activities and financial nondisclosures, which in the U.S. lower courts would violate judicial ethical standards, and have actionable recourse, Daniel sits down with Richard to get the facts and rise above the noise. Do the Supreme Court Justices of the United States need a Code of Ethics? Should the Supreme Court voluntarily submit itself to a binding code of ethical standards? If Congress imposes a Code of Ethics on the Supreme Court, does that violate the Separation of Powers? This questions and more are up for discussion in the latest episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig and our guest Richard William Painter. Listen now! 

The New York County Lawyers Association is proud to present Season 3 - Episode 6 of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig: Cryptocurrency & the Blockchain Explained: A Panel Discussion with Attorneys: Joseph J. Bambara, M. Ridgway Barker, and Charles S. Kolstad. 

Unless you've been living under a rock you can not miss the unmistakable impact of Cryptocurrency and Blockchain technology. Our guests explain what cryptocurrency and blockchains are, how they work, and how they can be used. Also, up for discussion, the security, transparency, decentralization of cryptocurrency and blockchains, the benefits, pros and cons, and what the future holds for the use of digital assets, regulation, and taxation.  

Guest Information (Click Guest Names to be taken to full BIOs.)

Joseph J. Bambara, Author/Technologist, CIPP/US, Counsel to WithersWorldWide General Counsel and CIPP/US handling all legal matters especially everything law and technology.  Co-Chair, New York County Lawyers Association Law and Technology Committee (aka Cyberspace Law).

M. Ridgway Barker (goes by Ridge Barker)Partner, Withersworldwide  Actively engaged in a full range of business, corporate, securities and capital market, and cryptocurrency and blockchain legal, advisory and transactional matters.

Charles S. Kolstad, Partner, Withersworldwide  Specializes in practice on international tax, corporate, and partnership matters. 

Recommended Reading

AI, IoT and the Blockchain: Using the Power of Three to create Business, Legal and Technical Solutions by Joseph Bambara (Author), Ron Espinosa (Author), Steven Wolff (Author), Paul Allen (Author), M. Ridgway Barker (Author)

Are cryptocurrencies securities? 5 Things to Consider by Charles S. Kolstad

Law and Technology : The Future is Nowby New York County Lawyers Association (Author), NYCLA Law and Technology Committee (Editor)

NYCLA's Amicus Curiae Podcast Host Daniel K. Wiig sits down to chat with Hon. Sol Wachtler, former Chief Judge of the New York State Unified Court System. Judge Wachtler, once considered the heir apparent to become the Governor of New York, takes the listener on a journey that begins at the height of his legal career and ventures to the other side of the Bench with candid observations of the criminal justice system, the role his mental health played in his actions, the associated stigma, and the road to healing. 

Hon. Sol Wachtler is the author of "After the Madness: A Judge's Own Prison Memoir".

This episode is brought to you during Mental Health Awareness Month. The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA) recognizes the serious mental health issues and challenges faced by those in the legal profession. If you or someone you know has a mental illness, is struggling emotionally, or has concerns about their mental health, there are ways to get help. Visit the National Institute of Mental Health for resources to find help for you, a friend, or a family member.  

There are few ready to do battle not only when called but before the rest of the world has realized there is something amiss. Ms. Allred is the exception, noted for her constant vigilance in the face of systematic discrimination, and her commitment to the plight women and women's rights. We are honored to share our Women's HER-story month episode of the NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast with Daniel K. Wiig. Ms. Allred, a founding partner of the law firm Allred, Maroko & Goldberg (AM&G) sat down with our host to discuss her thoughts on the state of the legal profession as it pertains to the diversity, equity, and inclusion of women; the Me-Too movement, breaking barriers; and advocating for justice, and the rights of victims. Ms. Allred walks our listeners through her story and shares insights on what she believes needs to be done to extract justice for those who are often brushed aside and ignored. Ms. Allred is a trailblazing attorney, who empowers those she advocates for!

About Ms. Gloria Allred

More NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast Episodes 

A partner at leading law firm Bracewell, and former acting U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Seth D. DuCharme sits down with NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast host Daniel K. Wiig, to discuss the brouhaha around classified documents. What matters, the call for empathy, and balancing National Security Interests, what justice requires and the best interest of the American people. This insightful episode will break through the noise and present a cogent discussion on what really matters when discussing classified documents and national security. 

Seth D. Ducharme Bio

We're celebrating Black History Month in an in-depth conversation with Deneen L. Donnley, Senior Vice President & General Counsel of Consolidated Edison Company of New York.  Our host Daniel K. Wiig sits down with Deneen to delve into topics of importance and the keys to advancing the legal field. Listen as Ms. Donnley discusses specific attributes that foster professional success, the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and the necessity of embracing change.  Noted as agile leader, Ms. Donnley reflects on the critical need of the legal community in embrace an environment that reflects the communities they represent while ensuring a sense of belonging enabling all to succeed. Checkout this inspiring episode!

View Ms. Deneen L. Donnley's Bio