Recognizing Association Members Who Change The Lives of New Yorkers

Lawyers who serve the poor without charge should be celebrated. By generously donating their time and talent, they change lives. They help people who otherwise could not afford counsel achieve justice. The New York State Bar Association is tremendously proud of our members who render free legal services to low-income persons.

In 2006, the New York State Bar Association created a program to give special recognition to members who provide 50 hours or more of legal services in a calendar year, at no fee and without expectation of fee to persons of limited financial means; or to a not for profit, governmental or public services organizations, where the legal services are designed primarily to address the legal and other basic needs of persons of limited financial needs; or to an organization specifically designed to increase the availability of legal services to persons of limited financial means. Members who report such voluntary service will be given the honorific title "Empire State Counsel", which can be used as a credential. They also will receive a certificate, suitable for framing, a ribbon, and a lapel pin embossed with the unique Empire State Counsel logo which they can wear with pride.