NYCLA Amicus Curiae

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

The New York County Lawyers Association is proud to present the first episode of our 3rd Season of the Amicus Curiae Podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig. Our guest is Kings County, Brooklyn District Attorney, Eric Gonzalez. DA Gonzalez is the first Latino elected to a District Attorney position in New York State. Listen to this inspiring conversation taking on the challenges, triumphs, goals of DA Gonzalez as he keeps Brooklyn strong & safe in his history making role as District Attorney. A New Yorker, born and raised, DA Gonzalez has deep ties to the community he serves. Touted as a progressive and a reformer, the discussion touches on on the role of the justice system, community partnership, what fairness and equity look like, and the collateral damages immigrants face over petty crimes. This episode asks the listener to ponder the impact leading with values to acquire just outcomes while keeping New Yorkers safe. Listen now!

View District Attorney Eric Gonzalez's Biography

The NYCLA Amicus Curiae Podcast with Host Daniel K. Wiig is honored to present the finale episode of Season 2: The Art of the Law: A Conversation with John Sexton, President Emeritus of New York University, Dean Emeritus of NYU Law School, and Benjamin Butler Professor of Law.

John Sexton is the Benjamin F. Butler Professor of Law at New York University, where he teaches at both the law school and the undergraduate college. He served as the Dean of NYU's Law School from 1988-2002 and as the Fifteenth President of the University from 2002-2015. He has been called a transformation figure in higher education, one of the 10 best college presidents, and the most effective dean of his generation. He holds degrees from Fordham University and Harvard Law School and, among his profession accomplishments includes clerking for Warren Burger, then-Chief Judge of the US Supreme Court.

John Sexton Bio, Featured Works, & Publications

The New York County Lawyers Association is proud to present the latest episode of Amicus Curiae with Host Daniel K. Wiig. In this episode with speak with the 2022 Edward Weinfeld Award Honoree: Hon. Colleen McMahon.

The Honorable Colleen McMahon is Senior District Judge for the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. President Clinton nominated Judge McMahon to the Court in 1998, and she served as Chief Judge of that Court from 2016 – 2021. Prior to her federal judicial service, Judge McMahon was a Judge of the New York Court of Claim and Acting Justice of the New York Supreme Court from 1995-1998. The Judge spent nearly twenty years in private practice, and briefly served as speech writer for Donald McHenry, the then- United States Permanent Representative to the United Nations. She is the author of "View from Gabbatha, Mediations from the Bench" and "Meditations for Vestry Members". Judge McMahon is the 2022 Recipient of NYCLA's Edward Weinfeld Award, recognizing the Judge McMahon's distinguished contributions to the administration of justice.