In 2003, the New York State Bar Association established and charged the Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct (“COSAC”), to study and review New York’s ethics standard and the American Bar Association’s Model Rules of Professional Conduct. The Committee members come from across New York State and include private practitioners in small and large firms, government lawyers, and corporate counsel. 

The Committee recently completed its review and has proposed a set of Rules of Professional Conduct.  At its January 27, 2006, meeting of the New York State House of Delegates meeting, the COSAC Committee will present an overview of its report.  Formal consideration and vote on the committee’s recommendations will be addressed at the April 1, 2006, House of Delegates’ meeting.  If approved, the Committee will then present its detailed report in sections for discussion and amendment pursuant to a schedule of comment and meeting dates extending from May 26, 2006, through November 3, 2007 (to view this schedule, click here).  Upon the conclusion of debate and vote on the complete set of rules, another vote will be taken to authorize the finalization and transmittal of the rules, as may be amended, to the Appellate Division in the four Judicial Departments for their consideration.

 The OCBA has established the “Ad Hoc Committee on Standards of Attorney Conduct ” to review the Committee’s Report and proposed Rules under the able leadership of Dave Pellow, which, working in conjunction with the OCBA Ethics Committee chaired by Victor Hershdorfer, will, over the course of the next year and one half, study, encourage ongoing discussion and dialogue and advise our members and Board with respect to these proposed Rules.