(New York, NY, Monday, August 10, 2020) – The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) supports a proposed continuing legal education (CLE) requirement that all New York attorneys take one CLE credit relating to cybersecurity during each biennial reporting period. The proposal to amend the mandatory CLE rule, which was recommended by the Technology Committee of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), now goes to before the New York State CLE board for consideration. You may review the NYSBA Technology Committee’s memorandum and report here: https://nysba.org/app/uploads/2020/06/3.-Report-and-recommendations-of-Committee-on-Technology-and-the-Legal-Profession-Agenda-Item-9-with-comments.pdf.
WBASNY acknowledges the fact that many women practitioners represent or work with victims of domestic violence and/or represent individuals in criminal or family law matters that increasingly involve social media and technology issues. Knowledge of the latest advancements in these areas is imperative for women representing clients in these cases. Moreover, with the recent adoption of the SHIELD Act in New York and the rise of cybersecurity scams directed at law firms, including solo and small firms, it is in the best interest of all New York attorneys to be educated and well informed of the current state of technology and cyberlaw security issues to best represent their clients, meet their ethical obligations, safeguard and protect their own information and avoid potential financial repercussions.
In addition, WBASNY has long supported the education of women attorneys and access to valuable resources to promote inclusion and overcome gender bias. Statistics reveal that only 26% of computing jobs today are held by women,[1] and while that statistic has improved since 2018, when women made up only 20% of the cybersecurity workforce,[2] the need to promote the inclusion of women in the cyberlaw and security fields persists. One way to support the advancement of women in these fields is through education.
Accordingly, WBASNY, encourages the New York State CLE board to amend the mandatory CLE rule to include one credit in cybersecurity.
[1] “The State of Women in Tech 2020,” by Kasee Bailey, found at https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/state-of-women-in-tech/
[2] “Cybersecurity Needs Women: Here’s Why,” by Laurence Bradford, found at https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurencebradford/2018/10/18/cybersecurity-needs-women-heres-why/#2baa92a047e8
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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (WBASNY) is the professional membership organization of choice for more than 4,000 attorneys throughout New York State, and the largest statewide women’s bar association in the country. For four decades, WBASNY has been a singularly important resource for women lawyers, with professional networking, continuing legal education programming, leadership training, and advocacy for the rights of women, children, and families. Through involvement with WBASNY’s 20 regional chapters and its 40-plus substantive law committees, WBASNY’s members collaborate with one another on a variety of issues and perform public and community service, in furtherance of its mission to promote the advancement of the status of women in society and women in the legal profession; to promote the fair and equal administration of justice; and to act as a unified voice for its members with respect to issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and women attorneys in particular. WBASNY holds United Nations NGO status with the U.N.’s Department of Public Information, and Special Consultative status in association with the U.N. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). WBASNY is also a founding member of the National Conference of Women’s Bar Associations.
[1] “The State of Women in Tech 2020,” by Kasee Bailey, found at https://www.dreamhost.com/blog/state-of-women-in-tech/
[2] “Cybersecurity Needs Women: Here’s Why,” by Laurence Bradford, found at https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurencebradford/2018/10/18/cybersecurity-needs-women-heres-why/#2baa92a047e8