NYSBA forms privacy task force

Privacy. It is a topic that is very dear to each and everyone one of us. There are things that we let out in the open and matters that are not of the public’s concern.
This subject becomes even more sensitive when dealing with legal issues. Just like there is a right of privacy between a doctor and a patient, the same holds true for attorneys and their clients. In addition, the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) is taking measures to secure any loopholes that might exist in today’s laws.
The NYSBA recently announced the creation of a Privacy Task Force. The Force was created by NYSBA President Bernice K. Leber, and will be looking into current practices and policies that pose a threat to the attorney-client privacy relationship.
The Privacy Task Force will then prepare a report on its findings and suggestions, and present it to the Executive Committee and House of Delegates.
“The right to privacy for lawyers and their clients is a fundamental precept of our justice system,” Leber said. “Protecting lawyers and clients from third-party disclosure should be a vital concern not only to our profession, but to all Americans.”
Leber then went to explain in detail some of the conflicts that have come up in the last few years, and the necessity for such a task force.
“From eavesdropping on attorneys representing detainees in Guantanamo Bay to the illegal interception of emails, if the privacy of just one lawyer is compromised, privacy of every client could be in jeopardy,” Leber said.
“This task force will conduct a thorough examination of these privacy issues and develop policy and legislative solutions that will ensure that these important rights are preserved,” Leber added.
The Task Force consists of lawyers from the NYSBA’s Business, Criminal, Labor and Employment, and Intellectual Property Law sections.
It will be co-chaired by Kelly M. Slavitt of the Corporate Counsel of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and Alison Arden Besunder of Arent Fox LLP.
The New York State Bar Association is the largest voluntary state bar association in the country. It has over 74,000 members and has been contributing to the justice system for over 130 years.
For more information call the NYSBA at 518-463-3200 or visit their website at www.nysba.org/privacytaskforce.