The New York State Bar Association welcomes you to Module 1: An Introduction to the New York State Bar Association. You may view Module 1 by choosing one of the chapter titles from the menu.
On behalf of the New York State Bar Association, welcome to Module 1 of the New Member Orientation Program.
Membership in the State Bar is one of the best investments I've ever made. My personal commitment of more than 20 years to the New York State Bar Association includes involvement as a member and leader of various Committees and Task Forces, and a member of the State Bar’s House of Delegates and Executive Committee. My enthusiasm for this association and its commitment to our time honored profession has made my membership one of the most enjoyable experiences of my professional career.
The New York State Bar Association thrives on new “blood” and has many opportunities for lawyers who want to make a difference. One of the most important things you can do as member is to affiliate yourself with at least one of our many Committees or Sections, which, among many other benefits, can provide you with substantive information pertaining to your area of practice.
You’ve already taken the first step by joining and participating in this New Member Orientation Program. We hope you find it useful. We look forward to working with you now and in the years ahead. Together, we can help shape the State Bar of the 21st century.
If you have any questions concerning your membership, please don’t hesitate to contact the Membership Services Department at (518) 487-5577, or via email at membership@nysba.org.
Again, thank you and welcome to the great New York State Bar Association.
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| Claire P. Gutekunst Member since 1984 |
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The New York State Bar Association was founded in Albany, New York on November 21, 1876 and, one year later, by legislative act, was written into the state constitution as part of Chapter 210
With more than 72,000 members, NYSBA is the nation's oldest and largest voluntary statewide association of lawyers. It is a private, non-profit corporation.
For 130 years, the New York State Bar Association has shaped the legal profession’s development in New York, educated lawyers and the public and responded to society’s changing needs.
The New York State Bar Association membership is composed of practicing attorneys, judges, law professors, government officials, court administrators and law students.
NYSBA represents practitioners in specialized areas of law, as well as affiliated, law-related organizations and groups with specific interests and needs
The Association’s objectives are the same today as when they were originally stated, but our implementation of these objectives has adapted to meet the changing needs of New York’s lawyers and society:
The New York State Bar Association has several membership categories.
These categories include:
The New York State Bar Association is governed by the 267 member House of Delegates, which is comprised of members representing the twelve judicial districts of New York State, as well as NYSBA’s 23 Sections.
The 26-member Executive Committee has the authority to act and speak for the NYSBA, consistent with previous action of the House of Delegates.
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 twelve judicial districts 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.
Serving as your current officers of the New York State Bar Association are:
 President Kathryn Grant Madigan of Binghamton |
 President-elect Bernice K. Leber of New York |
 Secretary Michael E. Getnick of Utica |
 Treasurer James B. Ayers of Albany |
NYSBA has 120+ staff members, led by Executive Director – Patricia K. Bucklin.
This concludes your tour of an Introduction to the New York State Bar Association. We hope you found it useful and thank you for your participation and membership. Please continue on to Module 2 – Member Benefits.
Should you have any questions or concerns, please contact us directly by calling the New York State Bar Membership Services Department at 1.518.487.5577, or via email at: membership@nysba.org.
The Membership Services staff is happy to assist. They are:
 Maria Kroth |
 Karin Gagnon and Kathleen Plog |
 Ellen Kelly-Lind |
We welcome your feedback. Please e-mail comments@nysbar.com and share your thoughts.
Return to Modules Home | Continue to Module 2 – Member Benefits | www.nysba.org