General Practice Section

Bylaws of the General Practice Section

Bylaws of the General Practice Section As approved on January 2025.

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NYSBA Committee on Law Practice Management

Law Practice Management resources provide lawyers, law firm managers and legal professionals with information on practice management trends, marketing, client development, legal technology and finance. Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a managing partner at a national law firm, you’ll find law practice management resources to meet your day-to-day practice needs. Checklists, best practices, publications and continuing legal education programs provide up-to-date information and practical tips to help you better manage your law practice.

Lawyer Assistance Program

The NYSBA Lawyer Assistance Program (LAP) provides education and confidential assistance to lawyers, judges, law school students, and immediate family members who are affected by the problem of substance abuse, stress, depression or other mental health issues. Its goal is to assist in the prevention, early identification and intervention of problems that can affect professional conduct and quality of life. Visit the link below or call 1.800.255.0569.

Committee on Lawyers in Transition

The NYSBA Committee on Lawyers in Transition was initially formed to address the challenges faced by attorneys who have left the workplace temporarily, for brief or extended periods, on maternity or paternity leave, or because of family or other obligations, and then wish to return to the workforce after such absences. With the growing number of lawyers finding themselves in “transition” not by choice, the committee’s immediate focus is now on attorneys who have been laid off due to the economic downturn. If you are currently unemployed, looking to make a career change, leave your current job or transition back to the workforce after time away from the profession, the Committee on Lawyers in Transition is here to help.

Jobs and Careers

NYSBA offers a variety of resources for attorneys new to the profession or looking to make a career transition. Use the link below to search for positions, post resumes, or set up e-mail alerts. Employers now have a way to reach the unsurpassed talent of New York attorneys – and the more than 74,000 members of NYSBA.

Lawyer Referral and Information Service

The Lawyer Referral and Information Service (LRIS) has been in existence since 1981. Our service provides referrals to attorneys in 44 counties. Lawyers who are members of the LRIS pay an annual fee of $75 ($125 for non-NYSBA members). Proof of malpractice insurance in the minimum amount of $100,000 is required of all participants. If you are retained by a referred client, agree to pay the LRIS 10% of the entire fee for any case of $500 or more.

The LRIS staff receives more than 100 calls per day from members of the public seeking legal assistance. These calls are screened by our staff to elicit pertinent information regarding the nature of their legal problem. Callers that would be more appropriately helped by other organizations, such as other bar referral services, legal aid societies, or governmental agencies are given contact information for these offices.

Callers needing the advice of an attorney, and who can afford to pay a private attorney, are referred to LRIS panel members on a rotating basis. They are told to expect a ½ hour in-office $35 consultation fee, and to be sure to mention that they were referred by the New York State Bar Association’s Lawyer Referral Service. After the initial consultation the attorney sets their own fees.

Pro Bono

wEbrief

wEbrief is the email newsletter of the New York State Bar Association’s General Practice Section. wEbrief brings practical, informative and useful information to you, in a technologically advanced medium. In its weekly format, wEbrief offers you the best of the General Practice Section blog, as well as case information and updates.

Members of the General Practice Section are automatically added to the wEbrief distribution list with the email address they have provided for their member record. If you prefer not to receive weekly wEbrief emails, you may unsubscribe at any time using the link located at the bottom of each message.

We appreciate any feedback you may have. Please email your comments and suggestions to:

Leonard E. Sienko, Jr., Esq., Contributing Editor
lennyesq@hancock.net

Planning Ahead: A Guide for Solo Practitioners

Planning Ahead is provided to all attorneys as a courtesy of the NYSBA Committee on Law Practice Continuity. Download a free PDF copy and interactive form-fill forms (currently not available for purchase as a hard copy, pending updates due to April 1, 2009 New York Rules of Professional Conduct. Hard copies available for purchase when updates complete.)

Legal Links

View NYSBA’s Legal Links of Interest page: A comprehensive collection of links to other legal Web sites.

See also:

• The New York State Assembly: Click Here to search for current New York State bills, New York State laws; check the Legislative calendar, Public Hearing schedules, Assembly calendars and more!
• New York State Office of Court Administration: Visit nycourts.gov for New York State attorney licensing and registration information, MCLE requirements, and more.