A Message From The President

A Message From The President

10.6.2025

By Kathleen Sweet

Dear Colleagues:

On behalf of the New York State Bar Association, I am proud and honored to commemorate our 150th anniversary.

It was in 1876 that a determined group of lawyers came together with a clear vision: “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.”

For 150 years, this guiding principle has served as the bedrock of our association.

As we reflect on this remarkable milestone we can look back upon a legacy of leadership and progress for the legal profession and for all New Yorkers.

We have championed essential reforms to improve the administration of justice and to uphold the rule of law.

We have led efforts to expand access to justice for the most vulnerable among us.

We have adapted to the evolving needs of our profession, always striving to stay current in service to our clients, the justice system, our fellow lawyers and the public good.

Before commercial air travel, the founding of the interstate highway system, the common use of electricity in homes and businesses, and even before the invention of the automobile, there was the New York State Bar Association. And as we celebrate and commemorate our history and reflect on our accomplishments, our anniversary is an opportunity to refocus on fulfilling our mission.

We live in extraordinary times, where the rule of law and constitutional norms long taken for granted are under siege. Political rhetoric has led to violence.

As lawyers we have a special responsibility and duty to lead, to pursue and amplify the truth, and to resist the coarsening of debate.

As we look forward to this landmark year at the Bar Association, we invite you to join us in honoring our members, celebrating our accomplishments, and participating in a series of special events.

The Annual Meeting in New York City from January 13th to 16th will include the Presidential Summit, where a panel will discuss the state of the Constitution and its drafters’ design of robust checks and balances among the three co-equal branches of government. Pulitzer Prize winning Stanford historian Jack Rakove and Yale Rule of Law Clinic Director Sonia Mittal will lead this important conversation.

A special 150th Presidential Gala will be held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City on Thursday, January 15th, 2026; we will be honoring the association’s past presidents and awarding our most prestigious recognition, the association’s Gold Medal.

Since 1876 we have been building, growing, and adapting to changes in the profession and in the world that impact our members, and this past year is no exception. We implemented dramatic and transformational changes over the last year, now providing an all-inclusive membership model. Continuing legal education programs, useful forms across numerous practice areas, publications, including e-books and other resources, are now included with member dues.

Members enjoy complimentary membership in two of our sections, a wholesale change that has enhanced member engagement with the sections. Twenty-seven sections have seen double digit percentage increases in their membership since 2024. Eleven sections have added more than 500 members to their ranks. CLE program registrations have increased 120% and on demand programming has increased 45%. The association is on pace to issue more than twice as many CLE certificates in 2025 as it did in 2024. In sum, it is working!  And it did not just happen; the credit rightly goes to the inspirational leadership of our Membership Committee and the talent of our amazing staff, led by Executive Director Pamela McDevitt.

Our sesquicentennial anniversary is your story too. Your dedication, advocacy, and service embody the values that have sustained our association. I hope that you will come celebrate with us, reflect on the incredible history we share, and join us as we write our next chapter together.