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The Gateway to Bar Leadership

Dear Bar Leader:

On behalf of the Executive Council, I welcome you as a bar association leader to the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders Web site.

The Conference is comprised of bar leaders across New York and dedicated to serving your needs by:Linda Clark

  • providing a forum for the exchange of ideas
  • promoting a spirit of unity and developing a common understanding among the many and diverse bar associations that serve the legal profession in our state.

NYSCBL sponsors workshops and leadership programs each year, and hosts the Annual Awards of Merit Breakfast during the New York State Bar Association’s Annual Meeting.  The awards recognize the achievements of large, medium and small bar associations in New York.

Our workshops and programs provide a valuable and unique opportunity for current and future bar association leaders to network, share information, and develop critical leadership skills necessary to lead a bar organization.

There is no fee to join the Conference and all current bar association presidents become members automatically.  This year, an important focus of the Executive Council will be the development of Web-based tools specifically designed to assist bar leaders.

We welcome your input and participation as a fellow bar leader and hope to see you at one of our upcoming programs.

Very truly yours,                                                                                  

Linda J. Clark
Executive Council Chair

About NYSCBL

The New York State Conference of Bar Leaders is first and foremost an organization for bar leaders dedicated to providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas.

The Conference works to advance the objectives of the organized bar, encourages communication and collaboration among bar associations, promotes leadership development for present and future bar leaders, hosts workshops and programs that provide educational opportunities and foster networking.

The NYSCBL has evolved to foster fresh and innovative local bar initiatives and to serve as a conduit that will help extend those initiatives throughout the state. It has helped to develop mutually beneficial relationships among bar leaders and to improve the status of the legal profession generally by providing education and training to bar leaders.  

The Conference is committed to the principles of inclusion and diversity. NYSCBL supports its constituent bar associations in their efforts to advance these ideals.   

Benefits and Services:

The benefits and services available through the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders (NYSCBL) include:

  • NYSCBL-sponsored workshops and conferences on issues of association/volunteer management, and topics of substantive concern to both the organized bar and the individual practitioner.
  • A listing of local bar officers contained in the Local Bar Directory, which is updated bi-annually, and is also available in electronic form.
  • Staff support from the NYSBA Department of Bar Services.

NYSCBL Award of Merit

The NYSCBL Award of Merit is given to acknowledge and give statewide recognition to the professional and public service programs sponsored by the local, ethnic, specialty and minority bar associations in New York state. The program also acquaints bar leaders with new activities and programs that promote the public welfare, public understanding of the law or the professional responsibilities of attorneys.

See complete details.

NYSBA Bar Services Program

The NYSBA Bar Services Program meets the needs of local bar associations.  We have long recognized the important contributions made by local, county, minority, ethnic, specialty and women's bar associations to the integrity of the legal profession and for the benefit of the public.  For over 70 years, the NYSBA has promoted a close relationship with all bar associations, having first adopted a resolution in 1928 "favoring closer cooperation with local bar associations."

This original resolution continues to be a significant priority for the NYSBA, and has lead to the development of the Bar Services Program.  Each aspect of the program was created to meet the specific needs of local bar associations, regardless of size, interest or configuration.

The goal is to help association leaders better serve their members and the public.  We also facilitate communications between your association and the NYSBA and your colleagues throughout the State.

Services Available:

The services available through the NYSBA Bar Services Program include:

  • Participation in the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders (NYSCBL), an organization for bar leaders dedicated to providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas among association leaders.
  • NYSCBL-sponsored workshops and conferences on issues of association/volunteer management and substantive concern to both the organized bar and the individual practitioner.
  • A directory listing of local bar officers contained in the Local Bar Registry which is updated quarterly.
  • Technical assistance in developing and expanding your bar's pro bono involvement through the New York State Bar Association's Department of Pro Bono Affairs.  Materials, phone consultations and site visits are available to assist you in demonstrating that voluntary pro bono efforts are a viable alternative to mandatory pro bono.
  • Coordination and assistance in developing Law Day Programs and events.

Additional help is available through the Governmental Relations Department, the Law, Youth & Citizenship Program and the Lawyer Assistance Program, which provides confidential assistance services to any attorney in New York State who is impaired by alcohol or drug abuse.