Welcome to the practice of law in New York State and thank you for choosing law as your profession.
You have dedicated years of your life to the study of law and have passed the bar exam. Now it is the time to start your journey as a New York- admitted attorney.
Law school is now behind you and as you forge ahead on this noble career path, it is time to become involved with your legal community and to become familiar with the New York State Bar Association. Newly admitted attorneys receive free membership to the New York State Bar Association for one year, allowing you access to award-winning professional development, exceptional content and discount benefits. In addition, members have access to tools and networking opportunities that may help you excel along your career path.
Your NYSBA membership shows you are committed to legal industry growth and excellence. With over 65,000 members in New York State, the nation, and the world, we are one of the most influential bar associations in the nation offering more New York-specific legal resources than any other legal professional association.
Career Center and Job Alerts
NYSBA Career Center is the leading online hub for legal professionals, serving more than 74,000 members. It’s where legal professionals go to find the right legal jobs and where employers go to find highly-qualified legal talent.
The New York State Bar Association would like to welcome you to the Young Lawyers Section.
Through our Section you are connected with experienced attorneys lending general advice, legal guidance, or expert opinions. The Section will help you develop a foundation of practical skills, techniques and procedures that are essential to the practice of law.
Membership in NYSBA’s Young Lawyers Section is a valuable way to:
- Enhance professional skills
- Attend a variety of outstanding educational programs
- Join colleagues in exciting Section and networking events
- Keep up- to- date with the ever changing legal profession
Newly Admitted: Year One
For those attorneys admitted April 2020 or after
Annual Rate: Complimentary
- Access to all NYSBA partner benefits (View Here)
- 25% minimum discount on all NYSBA-delivered CLE programs (Live & On-Demand)
- 25% minimum discount on all NYSBA print/online publications and online forms
- Complimentary digital subscriptions to: Bar Journal, State Bar News, New York State Law Digest and CasePrepPlus
- Year one attorneys may upgrade to the next membership level and receive qualifying benefits by logging into your member profile (click edit profile then upgrade) or call our Member Resource Center at 1-800-582-2452
Attorney: 0-2 Years
For those attorneys admitted January 2018 – March 2020
Annual Rate: $95.00
- Complimentary membership to Young Lawyers Section
- 2.0 MCLE on-demand credits of your choice
- Complimentary CPLR on-demand program
- Access to complimentary downloadable forms
- 1-year resume posting via Career Center
- Access to all NYSBA partner benefits (View Here)
- 25% minimum discount on all NYSBA-delivered CLE programs (Live & On-Demand)
- 25% minimum discount on all NYSBA print/online publications and online forms
- Complimentary digital subscriptions to: Bar Journal, State Bar News, New York State Law Digest and CasePrepPlus
Please note: Same rates apply for in-state and out-of-state attorneys
MEMBER RESOURCE CENTER
If you have questions please contact us at 800.582.2452 | mrc@nysba.org
Hours: Monday – Friday | 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Competitions, Scholarships, & Fellowships
From a writing contest on international law and an essay competition on environmental law, to internships with Fortune 500 corporations and scholarship funding or future elder law practitioners, the New York State Bar Association offers a wide variety of opportunities to help law students develop critical legal skills and build their resumes. Take a look at the many opportunities we offer that can guide you on your way to become one of New York’s leading attorneys.
No. The NYSBA is not the official New York Bar and is not responsible for attorney licenses or registration. Please contact the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA), the official licensing/registration unit: 212.428.2800, or visit NYCourts.gov
NYSBA membership dues are voluntary and are paid annually. Licensing fees with the NYS Office of Court Administration (OCA) are mandatory and are paid biennially by all attorneys engaged in the active practice of law. For information regarding NYSBA membership dues, call 800.582.2452. For information regarding OCA licensing fees, call 212.428.2800, or visit NYCourts.gov
No. You can however search for an attorney at the NYS Office of Court Administration’s (OCA) Web site: NYCourts.gov
No. Upon admission to the bar, the Appellate Division does not furnish an ID card, nor does New York have bar numbers. However, Secure Pass ID card applications can be picked up at any New York state courthouse and are available to any attorney in order to gain access into New York courthouses.
Pursuant to Rule 520.16 of the Rules of the Court of Appeals, applicants who successfully pass the bar examination in New York State must demonstrate that they have performed 50 hours of qualifying pro bono service before applying for admission to practice. The full text of Rule 520.16 is available at www.nycourts.gov/ctapps
If you are currently a law student at an American Bar Association- approved law school, eligible pro bono work performed at any time after you commenced your legal education will qualify to meet the Requirement, as long as the work does not violate any of your law school’s regulations or policies about student employment or volunteer activities. For more information regarding NYS Bar Admission Pro Bono Requirements call 800.268.7869, or visit: www.nycourts.gov
New York State Bar: Pro Bono Requirements
Find Out More About Pro Bono Requirements for New York State Bar Admission
If you were enrolled at an ABA-approved law school and you are seeking admission to practice in New York on examination, you will need to complete 50 hours of qualifying pro bono work before you apply for admission to the New York bar. Only eligible pro bono work performed on or after May 1, 2012 will satisfy the Rule. The Requirement need not be fulfilled before a law student applies to take the New York bar examination; rather, the 50 hours must be completed before filing an application for admission.
Explore Resources
New York State Bar Pro Bono Requirement (NYU Public Interest Law Center)
SoFi Student Loans
SoFi refinances your student loans into one low-rate payment – both federal AND private qualified student loans are eligible. Competitively low variable or fixed rate options with a $300 welcome bonus!
Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP)
The New York State Bar Association’s Lawyer Assistance Program provides several important services to the legal community across New York State. NYSBA’s LAP provides:
- voluntary monitoring services for attorneys facing grievance procedures and for those that are court ordered.
- a helpline: 800.255.0569. The helpline provides general assistance for callers and referrals for therapists, treatment, support groups, and peer support.
- CLE and educational speakers, materials, and resources that can be incorporated into existing programming or as presented as stand alone programming.
- peer support from experienced volunteers.
- articles, information and content for NYSBA publications and other media outlets.
- and many other benefits…
Student Loan Debt Relief Resources
Providing greater student loan relief for attorneys and non-attorneys is a legislative and policy goal of the New York State Bar Association. The resources and articles linked here provide useful information on current student loan debt relief programs. This resource page was prepared by the President’s Committee on Access to Justice Public Interest Loan Repayment Subcommittee.
Key Titles for Newly Admitted Attorneys
NYSBA New York Rules Of Professional Conduct
The must-have title for any law student or attorney in New York.
The Legal Writer: Writing It Right
Practical, real-world legal writing suggestions that apply to all aspects of an attorney’s practice.
The Legal Writer: Drafting New York Civil-Litigation Documents
A master class in drafting civil-litigation documents that gives New York attorneys the tools they need to make their best case to the court.
Attorney Escrow Accounts
Understand the legal and ethical issues encountered when attorneys handle client funds.
Foundation Evidence, Questions and Courtroom Protocols
Learn how to prepare the appropriate foundation testimony for the introduction of evidence and examination of witnesses.
New York Lawyers’ Practical Skills Series
Purchase the full set or individual titles of this guide to New York law. This award-winning series provides an essential overview of a wide range of practice areas and includes forms and practice tips.
Free Legal Research With Fastcase
For attorneys who can’t afford big data pricing, Fastcase legal research is available to New York State Bar Association members. Get free and unlimited access to Fastcase’s New York library, including New York and Second Circuit cases and New York statutes and regulations. Upgraded content subscriptions are also available. For more information, click here.
CLE Requirements for Newly Admitted Attorneys
The New York State Bar Association is pleased to offer newly admitted attorneys a two-day Bridging the Gap CLE program. Transitional courses are designed to help newly admitted attorneys develop a foundation in the practical skills, techniques and procedures that are essential to the practice of law.
The NYSBA Bridging the Gap continuing legal education program offers 16.0 total credits. Newly admitted attorneys can satisfy all of their annual MCLE requirements by attending this two-day program, which is ideal for “bridging the gap” between law school and the realities of practicing law in New York State. Experienced attorneys who have an interest in other areas of practice can also attend and benefit from this program by learning practical information from skilled and experienced practitioners.
Networking Opportunities & Meet and Greets
Acting as a link between the state and the individual lawyer, membership in the New York State Bar Association allows attorneys the opportunity to help shape the development of the law while expanding their professional network in New York and outside its borders.
- Connect with mentors
- Learn about internships and career opportunities
- Learn about NYSBA Section membership
