The legal profession is a fast-changing one. Keeping up with new laws, new techniques and new ways of serving clients can be challenging for even the most seasoned lawyer.
Law new refers to laws and rules that have just come into effect – either at the federal, state or local level. This can include statutes passed by legislatures, regulations issued by agencies or boards of control, or decisions made by courts. It can also include new laws and policies enacted by cities, towns, villages, school districts or other municipal corporations.
State and local laws are often more important to the lives of ordinary citizens than are federal or national laws. New York residents, for example, have laws that govern everything from voting to property ownership to the treatment of homeless people. And many of those laws have been influenced by national trends and issues, including immigration, gun safety, sexual harassment, the environment and racial justice.
A number of these laws have taken effect in 2023, as legislators and governors responded to issues that are dominating the national conversation. Some of the laws are quirky, like a provision allowing hunters to use electronic federal duck stamps instead of physical ones. Others address serious issues, like a law requiring veterans to receive help navigating the VA healthcare system and protecting them from predatory actors.
In addition, the state legislature has passed some new legislation aimed at addressing housing and social issues that are affecting New Yorkers. For example, the new law limiting the amount of time landlords can wait before evicting tenants is intended to protect people who are at risk of being displaced from their homes due to rent increases. And the law requiring NYCHA to tell its residents if their water is safe to drink or cook with is intended to improve transparency and accountability.
The laws that impact us are constantly changing, and it’s important for lawyers to keep up with the latest changes in order to serve their clients well. For those who practice law in New York, this means knowing about the laws that have recently changed and understanding how they could affect their practices. This is especially true for attorneys who specialize in public interest law or work with vulnerable populations such as the homeless, children or low-income families. These attorneys need to be able to offer innovative solutions to their clients’ unique challenges. And they need to be aware of the changes in laws that are impacting their clients’ lives and communities.