 |
A Brief History and Purpose
For more than 135 years, the New York State Bar Association has
shaped the development of the law, educated and informed the profession
and the public, and responded to the demands of a changing society.
Today, with a membership of more than 77,000 lawyers, representing every
town, city and county in the state, the New York State Bar Association
is the oldest and largest voluntary state bar organization in the
nation.
U.S. Presidents Grover Cleveland and Chester A. Arthur were two
prominent members of the State Bar Association. In addition, U.S.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes served as a president
of the State Bar. These and other notable Americans have contributed
much to the State Bar's history. Its membership has included ranking
members of the nation's judicial and legislative bodies who have
formulated and endorsed policies which have achieved national and
international significance.
The Association's objectives, originally stated in its constitution
adopted in 1877, are the same today. They are: to cultivate the science
of jurisprudence, promote reform in the law, facilitate the
administration of justice, and elevate the standards of integrity,
honor, professional skill and courtesy in the legal profession. As a
link between the state and the individual lawyer, as a force for
constructive change, and as a chief exponent of the rights and liberties
of the public, the New York State Bar Association stands proud and
capable, ready to serve. Through the years the Association has:
- Sought legislation to simplify and update court procedures.
- Been instrumental in raising judicial standards.
- Established machinery for maintaining the integrity of The
profession.
- Advocated providing enhanced, voluntary pro bono legal services to
the poor.
- Been in the vanguard of efforts to elevate the standards of
practice.
- Achieved national recognition for its continuing program of public
education.
NYSBA Structure and Governance
House of Delegates
The control and administration of the
NYSBA is vested in the House of Delegates, the decision and
policy-making body of the Association. The House meets four times a year
(January, April, June and November). Action taken by the House of
Delegates on specific issues becomes official NYSBA policy.
At the present time, the House of
Delegates is composed of 295 members. A simple representational
formula allows many diverse associations of lawyers within the state to
be represented in this forum.
Executive Committee
The 27-member Executive Committee has
the authority to act and speak for the NYSBA, consistent with previous
action of the House of Delegates, when the House is not in
session.
The Executive Committee meets
quarterly and at other times as necessary. The Executive Committee is
composed of the President, President-elect, Treasurer, and Secretary of
the Association. In addition, there are vice-presidents from each of the
thirteen judicial districts (the 1st district has two vice
presidents) in the state and eight members-at-large. The immediate past
president is also a member of this body. All officers are elected to
serve one-year terms. (Click here for
executive committee profiles.)
Officers
NYSBA officers are elected by the
House of Delegates and include the President-elect (who automatically
becomes President the year following that of election), Secretary, and
Treasurer. (Click here for
officer profiles.)
The
President
Serves for one Association year, from
June 1 to May 31. The president and his or her designee is the official
spokesperson in expressing policy of the Association as determined by
the House of Delegates. Unless otherwise provided, the president
appoints the chairs and members of standing and special committees of
the Association.
The President-Elect
Serves a term of one Association
year, from June 1 to May 31, chairs the House of Delegates, and performs
such other duties as the president may assign, or the duties of the
president, should the president become disabled and unable to perform
the duties of office.
Sections, Committees, and other special groups
The Association's current structure
includes 25 specialized substantive law sections, and more than 60
standing, special and other committees. Many of these groups publish
material dealing with their field of expertise, much of which is not
available through commercial publishers. These units also sponsor
conferences, seminars and institutes, monitor legislation, conduct
studies and make policy recommendations to the NYSBA House of Delegates.
More than 35,000 members serve on Sections, Committees, and other
special groups.
Sections
Range in size from approximately 500
members to more than 5,000. Each Section draws its membership from
lawyers or judges with common professional interests. They operate much
like "mini bar associations" with their own officers, dues schedule and
committees. They address professional development, improvement of laws
and continuing education in a variety of substantive law fields. The
Sections can and do have sub-committees which tackle specialized single
legal issues that may be part of the overall Section jurisdiction.
Standing and Special Committees have smaller memberships, and generally
focus on specific assignments or narrower issues. (Click here for section chair photos, bios.)
Offices
The Association is headquartered at
One Elk Street in Albany. The actual structure combines a new building
with five 19th century townhouses, welding them together to form a
single unit. The design of the building won the 1968 Progressive
Architecture Design Award, as well as the American Institute of
Architect's 1972 Honor Award.
In 1990, an expanded and refurbished
State Bar Center was rededicated. The bar’s "new" 37,000 square
foot home features the Gallery of the Bill of Rights, with 10 panels
representing a nationally renowned artist’s depiction of the Bill
of Rights, and memorabilia explaining the life and times of two U.S.
Supreme Court Justices from New York. A "corporate" museum with exhibits
depicting "The Legal Heritage of New York State," illustrating the
country lawyer, judicial excellence, and the public service character of
the legal profession, highlights the first floor of the renovated State
Bar Center. The annual budget of the Association is approximately $21
million. No tax dollars are used to support bar activities.
Staff
The House of Delegates appoints the
Executive Director who supervises a professional and administrative
staff of 123 employees. The staff implements decisions of the House and
Executive Committee in the administration of Association affairs,
assists members in carrying out their activities and expedites the
dissemination of information. The staff is subdivided into several
functional areas, including administration, accounting, continuing legal
education, governmental relations, law practice management, lawyer
assistance, marketing, media services and public affairs, membership,
meeting planning and arrangements, printing, pro bono legal
services.
Governmental Relations
The Governmental Relations Office
(GRO) serves as the "eyes and ears" of the Association in the State
Capitol. NYSBA does not have a political action committee (PAC) and does
not make political contributions.
The status of important bills and
regulations is communicated regularly to relevant Association entities
with an interest in a particular piece of legislation. The GRO also
conveys the views of the Association on a broad range of issues to
numerous federal agencies as well as New York's Congressional
delegation.
|
