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Areas of Interest
April 5th, 2022
NY Judges Ignored Income, Gift Reporting Rule For Years
Ethics & Professional Responsibility Litigation Partner Ronald C. Minkoff is quoted in the article, “NY Judges Ignored Income, Gift Reporting Rule For Years” published by Law360. The article discusses how over the past decade, many New York judges did not publicly report outside compensation and gifts over $150 to their clerks, violating an ethics rule that safeguards against financial conflicts of interest and corruption. Ron is quoted saying, "If somebody got me something that was $750, that's significant" and "In some countries, the way it works is that whoever takes the judge out to the fanciest dinner wins. We don't want it to look like the courts are a bazaar or that a judge is available to the highest bidder."
Some judges have earned substantial amounts in rental income. Lawyers for the Office of Court Administration argued there was no need for the court system's judges to report on investment property income because it is "passively earned." Ron disagrees with that idea stating, "To the extent that OCA is interpreting the rule this way, I think that's incorrect.” Ron concludes by saying, "If judges aren't complying with the rules, it's a problem” and "If judicial systems aren't encouraging the judges to comply with the rules, then that's a bigger problem."
Read the full article here.
Other Quoted
In Suits and Ties, Lawyers Protest Trump’s Attacks on the Legal System
The New York Times quotes Ronald C. Minkoff in its coverage of the May 1, 2025 National Law Day of Action, in which approximately 1,500 people in Manhattan protested the U.S. president’s threats against judges, lawyers and the rule of law. Legal groups organized attorneys across the country to show their opposition to the Trump administration’s defiance of court orders, targeting of law firms, and wrongful deportations. The lawyers reaffirmed their promise to uphold the rule of law and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Foley Square protest organizers requested that attorneys dress in suits—as if going to court and carry pocket Constitutions. “‘We want people to see that we treat this issue with utmost respect,’ said Ronald C. Minkoff, a defense lawyer and an organizer. ‘This is like the courtroom to us.’” View Article
May 1 2025
Attys Join Nationwide ‘Day Of Action’ Rallies For Rule Of Law
Law360 quotes Ronald C. Minkoff on the thousands of attorneys who rallied across the country on May 1, National Law Day, to publicly oppose the Trump administration’s attack on the rule of law. The article stated, “New York County Lawyers Association vice president and noted legal ethics expert Ron Minkoff of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, PC, said the rallies came together fairly organically as bar associations across the country began looking at ways to spotlight the Trump administrations actions against judges and lawyers and then realized National Law Day of Action was just a few weeks away.” Mr. Minkoff stated that he doesn’t normally go to demonstrations but these are things that stir him to action. “’When the ability of lawyers to represent their clients is under threat, that is an attack on one of the pillars of the American system, the American experiment,’ he added.” View article. (Behind paywall)
May 1 2025
Jonah Brill and Spouse Emma Brill Featured on Cardozo Law School Podcast
Jonah Brill and his wife Emma Brill are interviewed on their alma mater’s audio publication SPARKS: A Cardozo School of Law Podcast | Cardozo Law. Having met as first-year law students at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law, they discuss how their law school affected their personal lives and chosen career paths. They share their class recommendations, “insights into the complexities of tax law,” and “lessons learned along the way.” Listen here.
April 8 2025
