Michelle Haskin has been named chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Family Law Section, according to a June 3 announcement. Haskin recalled her first experience with the association as a law student, when she attended an event featuring Judge Leslie Stein. “As a law student, I heard Judge Leslie Stein speak on family law and in that moment, she became my idol,” Haskin said. “The program had a huge impact on my career. I ended up working for the firm where Judge Stein was a partner, as a summer associate and later as an attorney in her firm and in her department, which was the Family Law department.”
With encouragement from partners in the Family Law practice group, Haskin became active in the association and volunteered on several section committees while raising young children. She described attending her first destination meeting at age 28 with her infant and mother.
Now serving as partner at Whiteman, Ostermann and Hanna in Albany, Haskin is leading this year’s summer meeting for the section in Newport, Rhode Island. The event attracts hundreds of family law attorneys each July. “It’s like planning a 300-person, three-day wedding,” she explains, adding, “People are coming for the fun and the networking, but they are also getting great CLE programs.”
Haskin said she intends to continue outreach efforts to younger and more diverse members within the section. “We have had a lot more involvement with younger lawyers. People are doing a better job at encouraging others to attend our events.” She also emphasized long-term engagement: “It’s not a short game; it’s a long game… By your fourth or fifth year, they know your name and are sending you cases.”
In addition to organizing events, Haskin looks forward to working on state legislation aimed at strengthening safety measures for children involved in divorce or custody disputes. She also expressed support for New York State Bar Association President Taa Grays’ initiative focused on improving New York’s Family Court system: “I am very excited that President Grays is focusing on Family Court. I know our section is going to be thoroughly behind it,” Haskin said.
The New York State Bar Association fosters cultural and social well-being through initiatives promoting equal access to justice and public understanding of the law; it uses its Bar Center in Albany for operations; includes members from all 50 states and over 100 countries; advances professional success while upholding justice; extends services throughout New York and beyond; and supports legislative efforts related to justice access—all according to its official website.
