Understanding the implications of Rule 8.4 for attorneys, including discrimination, harassment, and the vital role of ethical behavior in legal practice.

Rule 8.4 prohibits attorneys from engaging in any other conduct that adversely reflects on the lawyer's fitness to practice law. Whether it is inappropriate comments, anger management issues, social media statements, or responses to online reviews, Rule 8.4 can be applied. Our panel will discuss recent cases and the anti-harassment amendments that every attorney needs to be aware of.
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The NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers is the largest statewide trial bar in the US with 5,700+ lawyer and judge members. We are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the civil justice system. Our highly acclaimed CLE programming features extraordinary presenters covering the most timely and important topics.

BONINA & BONINA, P.C.
A graduate of Brooklyn Law School, Andrea is Managing Attorney of plaintiff’s personal injury firm which concentrates its practice in the areas of medical malpractice, product liability, and significant personal injury. She is the Chair of the Grievance Committee for the Second, Eleventh, and Thirteenth Judicial Districts, sits on the Academy’s board as a Second District representative, and is certified in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance.

Attorney at Michael C. Farkas, Esq., PLLC
Michael C. Farkas is a former New York City homicide prosecutor, former Wall Street in-house litigator, and retired U.S. Army Military Judge whose private practice concentrates in the areas of State and Federal criminal defense, securities regulatory enforcement proceedings, FINRA securities arbitration, and military law. He is a Trustee of the Brooklyn Bar Association and Chair of its Criminal Law Committee, Past President of the Kings County Criminal Bar Association, is a member of the Appellate Division, Second Department Attorney Grievance Committee, a certified FINRA Arbitrator, and he holds leadership and membership positions in various other civilian and military organizations.

Partner at Avanzino & Moreno, P.C.
Angélicque M. Moreno is an accomplished and passionate trial attorney, with over 25 years of experience representing injured victims, who has taken on insurance companies in a wide variety of automotive, workplace, medical malpractice, and wrongful death actions. She is a graduate of Binghamton University and Northeastern University School of Law. She served as President of the New York State Academy of Trial Lawyers from 2019 - 2020.

Principal of Law Office of Anthony W. Vaughn, Jr.
Anthony is the principal of a litigation practice that focuses on breach of contract, professional liability, and premises liability. The firm's key practice areas include commercial litigation, insurance defense, landlord-tenant representation, and real estate. He is a Past President and a member of the Kings County American Inn of Court and President-Elect of the Brooklyn Bar Association. Anthony is a graduate of Morehouse College and the University of Cincinnati College of Law.