Kathy Suchocki Appointed Executive Director of the New York State Bar Association
4.13.2026
Kathy Suchocki, who has been key to the New York State Bar Association’s success for more than 20 years, has been appointed as the association’s new executive director, a post she has held on an interim basis since the end of 2025.
She takes over for Pamela McDevitt who led the association for nine years until she passed away in January. Under Pam’s leadership, the association introduced its new and successful membership model, which provides all members with free continuing legal education programs, e-books and downloadable forms as well as membership in two sections.
Kathleen Sweet, president of the New York State Bar Association, said, “after forming a working group of past, current and future leaders, we confirmed that the best person to continue Pam’s vision and succeed her is Kathy Suchocki. No one is more qualified or deserving.”
Suchocki was the association’s associate executive director, the number two position in the organization, for the past three years. In that role, she led the association’s revenue-generating departments and strengthened staff engagement. Before that, she was the association’s senior director of continuing legal education and law practice management.
“Managing the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation is an extraordinary opportunity,” Suchocki said. “I thank President Sweet, the working group and the Executive Committee for the faith they have placed in me. I can assure you that our members will continue to be our number one priority.”
Suchocki is also president of the Association of Continuing Legal Education Professionals, the national organization for CLE professionals. She was president-elect of ACLEA from 2024 to 2025.
She graduated from the College of Arts and Sciences/Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University with degrees in political science and policy studies. She received her Juris Doctor degree cum laude from Albany Law School of Union University.
