Celebrating 150 Years of NYSBA - New York State Bar Association

Welcome from President Kathleen M. Sweet

Kathleen Sweet In 1876, a small group of New York lawyers set out to do something extraordinary. Years before there was an American Bar Association, at a time when the law was practiced by candlelight and correspondence traveled by post, they came together under a guiding 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.

Every generation of members has carried that purpose forward, and this year the New York State Bar Association honors its past and embraces the promise of its future.

When our founders first gathered, formal legal communications were transmitted by courier and rail. Collabo ration required patience and proximity. The legal world of our founders in 1876 would be unrecognizable today. Today, connection happens in an instant. The transformation has been extraordinary. Yet the principles that guide us – integrity, professionalism, service, access to justice, and defense of the rule of law – remain constant. Our forebearers could not have imagined that we would have forged relationships and networks with bar associations across the country and around the world.

Our association’s first president, John K. Porter, urged lawyers to “exercise a collective and permanent influence” on the great issues of their time. Those words remind us of all of our obligation to shape civic discourse and promote legal reform where we see the need. By harnessing the expertise of attorney members to provide thoughtful, well-researched, balanced reports on issues that impact the public at large, we have had a permanent influence. And we have been at the forefront of the issues of our time: from proposing a permanent tribunal for international disputes that formed the groundwork for what is today the International Court of Justice at The Hague to our early support for marriage equality and advocacy for no-fault divorce in New York. We promoted legal reforms to support the right to counsel for indigent defendants, and to address the scourges of antisemitism, anti-Asian hate and gun violence. We have advocated for more family court judges, for the safeguarding of the legal rights of immigrants, and for diversity, all while grappling with the impact of generational advances in technology on our profession and the justice system.

And while our founders were all white men, a reflection of their era, they laid the groundwork for a profession that has grown far beyond its beginnings. As only the ninth woman to serve as president of our association, I carry that legacy with humility and deep gratitude. The path for women and people of color in our profession has not been clear or smooth, but each generation of the New York bar has widened the door for those who follow. Our diverse membership in 2026 reflects the intellect and energy of the lawyers of New York and beyond. There are now over 55,000 members of the association. That is our strength.

We celebrate our 150th anniversary in a moment of great challenge. The rule of law, often taken for granted, is being tested, quite often by our own government. Civil discourse has been coarsened and often replaced by divisive rhetoric and calls to violence. We have witnessed an insurrection and still contend with its aftermath. In times like these, our role as lawyers extends beyond the courtroom and the boardroom. To honor our oath, we must amplify the truth, elevate civil discourse, defend constitutional principles, and always act with integrity. The New York State Bar Association continues to be a welcoming community, a place where we learn from one another, lift each other up, and dedicate ourselves to something larger than any one case, client, or cause. Whether gathered in a courthouse, in the Great Hall in Albany, or connected online, we remain united by our common purpose and ideals to do the public good.

Here’s to another 150 years of progress, service and justice.

About This Page

Use the navigation tabs to the left to take a journey through 150-years of NYSBA history.

150 Years of NYSBA

The formation of the New York State Bar Association in 1876 was part of a trend toward organized bar associations, nestled between the formation of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York (1870) and the American Bar Association (1878). The state bar’s creation was inspired by the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, which in 1876 surveyed lawyers throughout New York State to gauge support for a statewide bar association. There was virtual unanimity of those responding that a state bar was needed.

150th Anniversary Commemorative Journal

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Celebrating our Sections

The 28 Sections of our organization shape legislation and policy, develop informative and timely CLE programming, and offer invaluable chances to network, mentor, and collaborate with respected practitioners, judges, and thought leaders. With strong leadership from our members, and additional contributions from those that make up each Section, each one is an essential resource to NYSBA. They foster professional growth, strengthen the practice of law, and connect members to a community committed to excellence and service within New York State and beyond.

Memorandums of Understanding

The New York State Bar Association is committed to supporting and growing a vibrant global community of legal professionals beyond New York’s borders. Through strategic partnerships, international programs, and collaboration with foreign bar associations and attorneys, NYSBA fosters the exchange of ideas and best practices across legal systems. This commitment strengthens professional connections worldwide while expanding opportunities for engagement, learning, and leadership within the Association. Here are the organizations we’ve partnered with over the years:

California Lawyers
Bar Association of Puerto Rico
Bar Association of Serbia
Bar Association of the City of Buenos Aires
The Bar Council of England and Wales
BARBRI Global, Inc.
Barcelona Bar Association
Bucharest Bar Association
The Chief Justice of New South Wales & The Chief Judge of NY
Dai-Ichi Tokyo Bar Association
Daini Tokyo Bar Association
European Association of Lawyers
Federal Council of the Brazilian Bar Association

Florida Bar Association International Law Section
Georgian Bar Association
Global Accountability Network
Guam Bar Association
International Association of Young Lawyers
Israel Bar Association
The International Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
The Law Society of England and Wales
The Law Society of Scotland
Madrid Bar Association
Mexican Bar Association
Milan Bar Association (Ordine Degli Avvocati Di Milano)
National Bar of Legal Advisers

Nigeria Bar Association Women Forum
Osaka Bar Association
Panama Bar Association
Philippine Bar Association
Polish Bar Council
Rome Bar Association
São Paulo Bar Association
Seoul Bar Association
Singapore Management University
UIA – International Association of Lawyers
Ukrainian Bar Association
US Virgin Islands Bar Association
Warsaw Bar Association

The History of NYSBA

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NYSBA Through the Years

NYSBA 150 Timeline 01 NYSBA 150 Timeline 02 NYSBA 150 Timeline 03 NYSBA 150 Timeline 04 150 Timeline 1937-1945 NYSBA 150 Timeline 06 NYSBA 150 Timeline 07 NYSBA 150 Timeline 08 NYSBA 150 Timeline 09 NYSBA 150 Timeline 10 NYSBA 150 Timeline 11 NYSBA 150 Timeline 12

Our Presidents

For more than 150 years, the New York State Bar Association has been guided by dedicated leaders whose vision and service have helped shape both the Association and the legal profession. Each past president brought a unique perspective and set of priorities, strengthening NYSBA’s commitment to the rule of law, professional excellence, and public service. Together, their leadership expanded the Association’s reach, influence, and impact across New York State and beyond. This page honors those presidents and the lasting contributions they made to the growth and vitality of our Association.

Past Presidents

Napoletano

2024-2025

Domenick Napoletano

Domenick Napoletano served as the 127th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. A Brooklyn native and first-generation Italian-American, Napoletano’s leadership is shaped by the values of hard work, integrity, and community service instilled by his immigrant parents. His upbringing in a close-knit, working-class neighborhood continues to inform his dedication to access to justice and fairness in the legal system.

Napoletano earned his law degree from Hofstra University School of Law, where he studied alongside future New York Governor David Paterson. During law school, he assisted Paterson, who is legally blind, by reading case assignments aloud—an early demonstration of his commitment to service and collegiality.

As the founder of Napoletano Law, he has built a respected practice focused on complex commercial litigation and real estate transactions, with additional work in appellate advocacy, landlord-tenant matters, and class actions. He has successfully represented clients in high-profile disputes, including challenges to New York City’s “vault tax.” He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

Within NYSBA, Napoletano has held numerous leadership positions, including Treasurer, Chair of the General Practice Section, and Co-Chair of committees on Civil Practice and Access to Justice. As President, he championed modernization of the CPLR, consistency in courtroom procedures, expanded loan forgiveness for mandated-representation attorneys, and increased funding for civil legal services.

Widely active in community and bar organizations, Napoletano has received multiple awards recognizing his service, leadership, and deep commitment to the legal profession.

Lewis

2023-2024

Richard C. Lewis

Richard C. Lewis is a distinguished litigator and community leader who served as the 126th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. Based in Binghamton, New York, he serves as special counsel at Hinman, Howard & Kattell, LLP, where he focuses on litigation and business law, drawing on a legal career that spans nearly five decades. His broad practice experience includes commercial litigation, municipal law, matrimonial and family matters, and estate planning.

Lewis earned his Juris Doctor from The John Marshall Law School in 1976 and his Bachelor of Arts from Ithaca College in 1969. A dedicated bar leader, he has held numerous roles within NYSBA, including Chair of the House of Delegates, Vice President for the Sixth Judicial District, Chair of the Committee on Court Rules, and member of key committees such as Professional Discipline, Municipal and State Government Law, and Finance. He also served as Co-Chair of the President’s Committee on Access to Justice, advancing initiatives that strengthened legal equity statewide. As NYSBA President, Lewis championed enhanced support for solo and small-firm practitioners and advocated for increased compensation for court-appointed attorneys serving upstate communities.

Deeply committed to public service, Lewis has served as President of both the Broome County Bar Association—where he received the Ted Gallando Award—and the Broome Legal Assistance Corporation. His community involvement extends to leadership roles with the Jewish Federation of Greater Binghamton, Broome Sports Foundation, Hillel Academy, SOS Shelter, and the Broome County Arena Board. He has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in America and named to City & State’s “Law Power 100.”

An avid athlete, Lewis has long been active in men’s hockey leagues, once skating in a charity game with NHL legends Gordie Howe, Bobby Hull, and Stan Mikita. He is also a former marathon runner and enjoys skiing and basketball.

Levin Wallach

2022-2023

Sherry Levin Wallach

Sherry Levin Wallach is an esteemed trial lawyer, public servant, and leader in the legal profession who served as the 125th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023. She is the Deputy Executive Director of the Legal Aid Society of Westchester County, where she advances access to justice and helped establish a state-of-the-art Trial Training Center. Levin Wallach also serves as Co-Chair of Chief Judge Rowan Wilson’s Advisory Committee on the New York-Specific Bar Eligibility Requirement and as a member of Chief Administrative Judge Joseph Zayas’ Advisory Committee on AI and the New York Courts.

A graduate of George Washington University and Hofstra University School of Law, Levin Wallach began her career as an Assistant District Attorney in the Bronx before practicing medical malpractice defense at McAloon & Friedman, PC. She later co-founded Wallach & Rendo, LLP, focusing on criminal defense and civil litigation. In 2019, she joined the Legal Aid Society, reinforcing her long-standing commitment to underserved communities.

Within NYSBA, Levin Wallach held numerous leadership roles, including Secretary, Vice President for the Ninth Judicial District, and Member-at-Large of the Executive Committee. She chaired both the Criminal Justice and Young Lawyers Sections, co-chaired key task forces, and co-founded the NYSBA Young Lawyers Section Trial Academy, ensuring the continued training of emerging practitioners—both in person and virtually during the pandemic.

As NYSBA President, she championed major initiatives in criminal justice reform, equal rights for U.S. territories, mental health, emerging technologies, and LGBTQI rights. Her national and international representation and numerous honors— including the Huntington Her Hero Lifetime Achievement Award—underscore her enduring impact on the profession.

Brown

2021-2022

T. Andrew Brown

T. Andrew Brown is a prominent attorney, educator, and civic leader with a four-decade career dedicated to advancing justice, equity, and public service. He served as the 124th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 1, 2021, to May 31, 2022, where his leadership was marked by a strong commitment to confronting systemic bias, expanding access to legal services, and promoting diversity within the legal profession. During his presidency, NYSBA issued a landmark report on racial injustice and implemented initiatives supporting the mental and physical well-being of attorneys navigating the challenges of the pandemic.

Andrew is the founder and managing partner of Brown Hutchinson LLP in Rochester, New York, where he focuses on civil litigation and employment law. He began his legal career at Nixon, Hargrave, Devans & Doyle (now Nixon Peabody) and later served as the City of Rochester’s Corporation Counsel and Chief Legal Officer. A certified federal mediator in the Western District of New York and longtime mediator and arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, he has been a trusted neutral since 1996.

His extensive record of leadership includes service as President of the Monroe County Bar Association, President of the Rochester Black Bar Association, General Counsel of the National Bar Association, and Vice Chancellor and Acting Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents, where he helped shape statewide education policy. A dedicated educator, he has taught at SUNY, served as the Rochester Institute of Technology’s 2022–2023 Minett Professor, and is a member of the faculty of Harvard Law School’s Trial Advocacy Workshop.

Widely recognized for excellence and service, Andrew has received numerous awards, including the Leadership in Law Award, the Adolf Rodenbeck Award, the Franklin H. Williams Service Award, and honors from the National Bar Association, Empire Justice, and the Rochester Black Bar Association.

Andrew is a graduate of Syracuse University and the University of Michigan Law School.

Karson

2020-2021

Scott M. Karson

Scott M. Karson is a highly respected appellate attorney and bar leader who served as the 123rd President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 1, 2020, to May 31, 2021. A partner at LambZankel, LLP in Melville, New York, Karson maintains a distinguished practice spanning appellate litigation, municipal law, civil rights, commercial disputes, and real property title matters. He has argued more than 125 appeals before state and federal appellate courts, earning a reputation for precision, clarity, and strategic advocacy.

Karson received his Bachelor of Arts from Stony Brook University and his Juris Doctor, cum laude, from Syracuse University College of Law, where he served as Senior Survey Editor of the Syracuse Law Review. He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County and later served as principal law clerk to the late Hon. Lawrence J. Bracken of the Appellate Division, Second Department.

A committed leader in the legal community, Karson previously served as President of the Suffolk County Bar Association, receiving its Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Within NYSBA, he represented the Tenth Judicial District in the House of Delegates, chaired both the Committee on Courts of Appellate Jurisdiction and the Audit Committee, and served as Vice President for the Tenth Judicial District on the Executive Committee. His long-standing dedication to public service includes more than two decades on the Board of Directors of Legal Services of Long Island, along with numerous pro bono honors.

Guiding NYSBA during the COVID-19 pandemic, Karson addressed unprecedented challenges, including mandatory law office closures, health and safety mandates, and disruptions to the courts and the administration of the bar examination. He established the Task Force on Racial Injustice and Police Reform and the Task Force on Attorney Well-Being, underscoring his belief that lawyers must prioritize their own health to best serve others.

Karson and his wife, Joleen, are the proud parents of two children, Jared and Tobi, and grandparents to four.

Greenberg

2019-2020

Henry M. Greenberg

Henry M. Greenberg is a highly-regarded trial and appellate lawyer and a leader in public service who served as the 122nd President of the New York State Bar Association (“NYSBA”) from June 2019 to May 2020. A shareholder at Greenberg Traurig LLP, he concentrates his practice on civil litigation, criminal and civil investigations, and regulatory and administrative law.

Greenberg’s legal career spans prominent positions in both the public and private sectors. He served as Counsel to the New York State Attorney General, General Counsel to the New York State Department of Health, Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of New York, and Law Clerk to Judge Judith S. Kaye of the New York Court of Appeals.

As NYSBA president, Greenberg emphasized access to justice, appointed diverse leaders to all 59 standing committees, and launched a “Virtual Bar Center” initiative that modernized the Association’s digital infrastructure. He led cutting-edge public policy efforts addressing rural justice, the elimination of mental health questions on the bar admission application, free expression in the digital age, autonomous vehicles, cannabis legalization, and the future of the New York Bar Exam. He also established global partnerships with bar associations in Asia, expanding NYSBA’s reach to international members.

Greenberg holds a J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and an B.A. from the University of Chicago. He is counsel to the New York State Commission on Judicial Nomination, which nominates New York’s Court of Appeals Judges, and chair of the Governor’s Third Department Judicial Screening Committee, in addition to holding leadership positions on several professional organizations. A committed community leader, Greenberg has served as past president of Temple Israel in Albany and travelled to the Poland-Ukraine border and Israel during times of war as a representative of the Jewish Federation for Northeastern New York.

Miller

2018-2019

Michael Miller

Michael Miller, a respected leader in the legal profession, served as the 121st President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 2018 to June 2019. Based in Manhattan, he maintains a solo civil practice with a concentration in estate and trust planning, administration, and litigation. His experience also includes complex real estate matters, business disputes, and service as a fiduciary in a variety of capacities.

Throughout his career, Miller has been deeply committed to strengthening the legal community through impactful leadership roles. Prior to his presidency, he chaired the NYSBA House of Delegates, helping to shape statewide policy, and earlier served as Chair of the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders, where he fostered collaboration among bar associations across the state. As President of the New York County Lawyers Association from 2002 to 2004, he played a vital role in restoring and supporting New York’s legal community in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks.

As NYSBA President, Miller championed access to justice, pro bono service, judicial independence, and the use of technology to modernize legal practice. He established and revitalized numerous task forces addressing wrongful convictions, mass shootings, the evaluation of judicial candidates, the role of paralegals, and the Uniform Bar Exam. He also spearheaded the creation of the Women in the Law Section and led the modernization of the New York State Standards of Civility.

Miller’s enduring commitment to public service includes award-winning pro bono programs and international human-rights work in Bosnia and Kosovo. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the ABA Pro Bono Publico Award, NYSBA’s Outstanding Champion Award, and NYCLA’s President’s Medal. He holds a JD from New York Law School and a BA from New York University and is admitted to practice in New York, New Jersey, Florida, and multiple federal courts.

Stern Gerstman

2017-2018

Sharon Stern Gerstman

Sharon Stern Gerstman is counsel at Magavern Magavern Grimm LLP in Buffalo, New York, where she focuses on mediation and arbitration, litigation, and appellate practice. She served as the 120th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 2017 to May 2018, emphasizing criminal justice reform, causes and consequences of large prison populations and the impact on minority communities, the referendum for a constitutional convention, and strengthening ties between NYSBA and local bar associations.

Gerstman earned her A.B. from Brown University, her J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, and an LL.M. from Yale Law School. She served approximately 29 years as Court Attorney/Referee and Principal Law Clerk in the New York State Supreme Court, Eighth Judicial District, mediating civil cases to resolution and advising judges on complex litigation matters. She has also taught “New York Practice” at the University at Buffalo Law School for nearly three decades, and has taught at the University of Toledo and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.

A recognized author and editor, Gerstman has contributed numerous law review articles and co-authored New York Civil Practice (James Publishing). She serves on the editorial board of Weinstein, Korn & Miller, New York Civil Practice: CPLR.

Gerstman’s leadership includes service on NYSBA’s Executive Committee, chairing the Committee on Civil Practice Law & Rules, and participation in special committees and task forces on lawyer advertising, referral services, and e-filing. Nationally, she has served on the ABA Board of Governors and in its House of Delegates. She is a Life Fellow of both the American Bar Foundation and the New York State Bar Foundation, and an elected member of the American Law Institute.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, Gerstman resides in Buffalo with her family and has one child and two grandchildren.

Gutekunst

2016-2017

Claire P. Gutekunst

Claire P. Gutekunst served as the 119th President of the New York State Bar Association from June 2016 to May 2017, becoming the sixth woman to lead the Association. During her presidency, she championed membership growth and engagement, advanced a joint Domestic Violence Initiative with the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York, and prioritized diversity and inclusion across the profession. A strong advocate for access to justice, she promoted increased funding for civil legal services and expanded opportunities for NYSBA members to provide pro bono assistance, particularly for victims of domestic violence and immigrants seeking asylum. Recognizing the rapidly evolving role of technology in legal practice, she co-created the Committee on Technology and the Legal Profession.

Gutekunst is currently an independent mediator, helping organizations and individuals resolve disputes efficiently, confidentially and cost-effectively. A frequent speaker and writer on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), she draws on nearly three decades at Proskauer Rose LLP, where she was a partner in the Litigation Department, chaired the firm’s ADR Committee, and handled complex commercial disputes in mediation, arbitration, and state and federal courts.

From 2012 to 2013, she served as Special Master for the New York City Asbestos Litigation, managing settlement negotiations and allocations, resolving discovery issues, and supporting the courts in overseeing all NYC asbestos personal injury and wrongful death cases. She served as Executive Director of Judges and Lawyers Breast Cancer Alert (JALBCA) from 2017 until her retirement in 2022.

A longtime NYSBA leader, Gutekunst has held numerous high-level roles within the Association and remains deeply engaged in professional and community service. She holds an A.B. and M.A. from Brown University and a J.D. from Yale Law School.

Miranda

2015-2016

David P. Miranda

David P. Miranda served as the 118th President of the New York State Bar Association, from 2015-16. During his term he focused on integrating technology into the practice of law, enhancing access to legal services, and defending the legal profession from venture capitalists seeking to remove restrictions on non-lawyer practice of law. He formed NYSBA’s Committee on the New York State Constitution to provide nonpartisan guidance to the public and the profession; and formed the first ever joint committee with the NY Bar Foundation to help both organizations enhance access to justice efforts. As President he filed an amicus curiae brief at the U. S. Supreme Court in Fisher v. University of Texas at Austin, arguing that the university's admissions policy be allowed to consider race to promote educational diversity and equal opportunity.

He spent most of his legal career as a partner with Heslin, Rothenberg, Farley & Mesiti of Albany as an intellectual property litigator. He also serves as an independent arbitrator and mediator with AAA and NAF, rendering decisions involving companies such as Microsoft, McDonald’s, Facebook and Amazon. Since 2018 he has hosted NYSBA’s Miranda Warnings podcast, with over 100 episodes. In 2022 he became NYSBA’s General Counsel, where he oversees the Association’s Government Relations, Pro Bono and Lawyers Assistance Departments and the recent renovation of NYSBA’s historic home at One Elk Street, Albany. In 2024 he was a finalist for the New York Law Journal’s General Counsel of the year. He is a graduate of Albany Law School, and in 2016 he received its Dean’s Medal Award for his contributions to the legal profession.

Lau-Kee

2014-2015

Glenn Lau-Kee

Glenn Lau-Kee is a celebrated civic leader who has dedicated his career to advancing the legal profession and strengthening New York’s diverse communities. He is Of Counsel at Lau-Kee Law Group PLLC, the firm founded by his father, Norman Lau-Kee, in 1956, and currently chairs the US-Asia Institute in Washington, D.C. A seasoned practitioner in real estate and commercial law, he advises clients on complex real estate transactions and commercial lending matters with the insight and integrity that have long defined the Lau-Kee family’s legacy.

Lau-Kee earned his B.A. from Yale University in 1971 and his J.D. from Boston University School of Law in 1974. His leadership in the legal community is extensive: he served as the 117th President of the New York State Bar Association from 2014 to 2015, becoming the first Asian American to hold the position. He previously served as president of the Asian American Bar Association of New York and has held significant roles with the New York County Lawyers’ Association, Legal Services for New York City, the Fund for Modern Courts, Queens Legal Services Corporation, the YMCA of Greater New York, and the US-Asia Institute.

Lau-Kee’s public service includes appointments to the New York City Mayor’s Advisory Committee to the Judiciary, the New York State Judicial Screening Committee for the First Department, and the New York City Commission on Human Rights, where he served as vice-chair. His contributions have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Hon. George Bundy Smith Pioneer Award, the YMCA’s Order of the Red Triangle, Boston University School of Law’s Silver Shingle Award, the Albany Law School Dean’s Medal, and the Jane M. Bolin Leaders in Law Award.

A respected lawyer and community advocate, Lau-Kee maintains a broad perspective through a range of professional and public activities, and believes that public service is both an obligation of lawyers and an enhancement from being in the legal profession.

Schraver

2013-2014

David M. Schraver

David M. Schraver is Of Counsel at Nixon Peabody LLP in Rochester, New York, following more than 30 years as a partner with the firm. A distinguished litigator, he has built a national reputation in complex civil and commercial litigation, with experience spanning Indian law, energy and utilities litigation, securities and contract disputes, and fiduciary and professional liability matters. Before entering private practice, Schraver honorably served on active duty in the United States Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

Schraver was the 116th President of the New York State Bar Association (2013–2014), leading its 76,000 members during a period of significant change in the profession. His presidency emphasized the core values of access to justice, an independent and adequately funded judiciary, and respect for the rule of law. He also focused on the future of legal education, highlighting challenges posed by student loan debt, shifting job markets, and the evolution of legal practice. A longtime bar leader, he previously served as President of the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders, Vice President and board member of The New York Bar Foundation, and President of the Monroe County Bar Association (1997–1998). His national influence includes service on the ABA House of Delegates, the Litigation Section, and as President of the National Conference of Bar Presidents.

Schraver earned his J.D. magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was Note and Comment Editor of the Michigan Law Review, and his A.B. cum laude from Harvard University.

Widely recognized for excellence, he has been honored by The Best Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, and numerous civic and legal organizations. Deeply committed to community service, he serves on the board of the Center for Community Alternatives and has supported numerous cultural, legal, and faith-based organizations throughout Rochester.

James Jr.

2012-2013

Seymour W. James Jr.

Seymour W. James Jr. is a distinguished attorney, bar association leader, and nationally recognized advocate for criminal justice reform whose career spans five decades. He served as the 115th President of the New York State Bar Association (2012–2013), where he championed access to justice, advanced diversity within the legal profession, coordinated a legal response to the devastation caused by Superstorm Sandy and pursued meaningful improvements to the criminal justice system and increased voter participation in New York. A dedicated NYSBA member since 1978, James previously completed three terms as Treasurer and represented the 11th District as Vice President. He also led the Queens County Bar Association as its President, strengthening engagement and collaboration across the local legal community.

James has been deeply involved with the American Bar Association, serving on its Board of Governors and in the House of Delegates, as well as on the ABA’s Standing Committee on the Federal Judiciary and the Standing Committee on Legal Aid and Indigent Defense. His long and impactful tenure at The Legal Aid Society—beginning as a Brooklyn staff attorney and culminating in his role as Attorney-in-Chief from 2014 to 2018—reflects his unwavering commitment to providing quality representation for low-income New Yorkers. Throughout his career, he has served on numerous commissions and task forces dedicated to improving public defense, advancing systemic reform, and monitoring attorney professionalism. He currently serves as Chair of the New York State Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government

A graduate of Brown University and Boston University School of Law, James has been widely honored for his service, including Lifetime Achievement Awards from the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the New York Law Journal, as well as the American Bar Association Dorsey Award, the NYSBA Robert L. Haig and Michele Maxian Awards, and the Judicial Friends Jane M. Bolin Award. He now continues his advocacy and legal practice as a partner at Barket Epstein Kearon Aldea & LoTurco LLP.

Doyle

2011-2012

Vincent E. Doyle III

Vincent E. Doyle III is an accomplished litigator, respected bar leader, and dedicated advocate for expanding access to justice in New York State. He served as the 114th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 2011 to June 2012, championing initiatives to improve legal services for veterans, immigrants, and individuals of limited means. A strong proponent of diversity and inclusion, Doyle led programs that earned NYSBA the American Bar Association’s Partnership Award for advancing diversity within the profession. His focus on strengthening New York’s public defense systems also contributed to NYSBA receiving the prestigious Harrison Tweed Award during his tenure.

Doyle’s long-standing involvement in NYSBA includes chairing the Criminal Justice Section and serving as the inaugural Chair of the Committee to Ensure Quality of Mandated Representation, which continues to advocate for a more effective statewide public defense structure. He later served on the New York State Indigent Legal Services Board by gubernatorial appointment, furthering his commitment to justice reform.

A partner at Connors LLP in Buffalo, Doyle concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation, internal and governmental investigations, legal ethics and disciplinary matters, and appellate advocacy. He also serves as an arbitrator and mediator in commercial and professional disputes.

Doyle earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from the SUNY Buffalo Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from Canisius College. Among his many honors, he was named Lawyer of the Year by the Bar Association of Erie County and received the Distinguished Alumni Award from SUNY Buffalo Law School. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, he has also contributed to judicial screening panels and served in leadership roles within local legal organizations.

Younger

2010-2011

Stephen P. Younger

Stephen P. Younger is a nationally respected commercial litigator and leader in the legal profession, known for his deep experience in complex disputes and his longstanding commitment to bar service. He served as the 113th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), beginning his term on June 1, 2010. He has held numerous leadership roles within the Association, including Chair of the Commercial & Federal Litigation Section, the Securities Litigation Committee, and the ADR Committee. He has also contributed significantly to NYSBA governance as a member or chair of key bodies such as the Nominating Committee, the Judiciary Article Subcommittee, and the Task Force on Non-Lawyer Ownership of Law Firms.

Younger is a cum laude graduate of Harvard University and earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from Albany Law School, where he served as Editor-in-Chief of the Albany Law Review. Following graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Hugh R. Jones of the New York Court of Appeals.

A seasoned advocate, Younger has tried numerous cases in state and federal courts and before arbitration panels, and he maintains a robust appellate practice, particularly in New York’s appellate divisions. His extensive background in alternative dispute resolution has made him a sought-after arbitrator, mediator, and neutral in high-stakes commercial, securities, and real estate matters.

Beyond his litigation and ADR practice, Younger serves as New York’s State Delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates and has chaired several ABA committees. He holds leadership roles with major ADR institutions, including the Boards of the CPR Institute and the New York International Arbitration Center. He is past Chair of the Historical Society of the New York Courts. He serves as President of the Harvard Club of New York City. An adjunct professor at Fordham Law School and editor of the New York Commercial Division Practice Guide, he is widely recognized in peer-review rankings such as Best Lawyers in America and Benchmark Litigation.

Getnick

2009-2010

Michael E. Getnick

Michael E. Getnick served as President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) for the 2009–2010 bar year, reflecting his longstanding commitment to legal leadership and professional service. A Life Member of the NYSBA House of Delegates, Getnick has also contributed on the Executive Committee, guiding the Association in matters of governance and bar policy. Earlier in his career, he served as President of the Oneida County Bar Association in 1992, demonstrating his dedication to local as well as statewide legal communities.

Getnick earned his B.A. from Pennsylvania State University in 1966 and his J.D. from Cornell University Law School in 1969. He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1970. Now retired, he is a founding member and currently of counsel at Getnick, Livingston, Atkinson & Priore, LLP in Utica, New York, where his practice encompassed civil litigation and personal injury law. He is also of counsel to the New York City law firm, Getnick and Getnick, LLP. He also has extensive experience in appellate practice, business law, insurance law, and mediation, including alternative dispute resolution.

Beyond his practice, Getnick has been active in professional and civic organizations. He is a Fellow of the New York State Bar Foundation. He has also served in local community roles, including on municipal zoning boards and in legal capacities for local government, as well as supporting access to justice through organizations such as the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York. Starting his practice as a legal aid attorney, he later served as the president of the Legal Aid Society of Mid-New York.

Through decades of service, Michael E. Getnick has exemplified a balance of professional excellence, civic engagement, and leadership within both the local and statewide legal communities.

Leber

2008-2009

Bernice K. Leber

Bernice K. Leber is a distinguished litigator, bar leader, and advocate for the advancement of women in the legal profession. She served as the 111ᵗʰ President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) during the 2008–2009 bar year, becoming only the fifth woman to hold the position. A longtime member and leader within NYSBA, Leber has played a pivotal role in shaping policy, strengthening member engagement, and advancing critical justice initiatives across the state.

Leber is counsel, and formerly a partner, at ArentFox Schiff LLP in New York, where she focuses on complex commercial litigation. Her practice spans intellectual property, securities, financial disputes, real property matters, and business litigation. She is also widely respected for her work in professional liability, ethics, and disciplinary matters involving attorneys, law firms, and accountants.

Throughout her NYSBA presidency, Leber championed an ambitious agenda, launching a task force on wrongful convictions that contributed to the passage of significant legislation, establishing a committee to support solo and small-firm practitioners, and directing broad studies on attorney privacy rights, courthouse conditions, and environmental and climate-related legal issues. She strengthened efforts in civil legal services funding and expanded the Association’s examination of human trafficking, helping to create a Special Committee dedicated to the issue.

Her longstanding service includes leadership roles in the Commercial & Federal Litigation Section, the House of Delegates, the Executive Committee, and the Finance Committee. From 2017 to 2019, she represented the American Bar Association at the United Nations, leading observer programs addressing diversionary courts and emergency medical relief for victims of gender-based violence.

A graduate of Mount Holyoke College and Columbia Law School, Leber has earned numerous honors, including the Ruth G. Schapiro Memorial Award and the Shira A. Scheindlin Award for Excellence in the Courtroom.

Madigan

2007-2008

Kathryn Grant Madigan

Kathryn Grant (Kate) Madigan is a distinguished attorney, educator, and trailblazing bar leader who served as the 110th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) during the 2007–2008 bar year, becoming the fourth woman to hold the office. Prior to her statewide leadership, she made history in Broome County as both the youngest and the first woman to serve as President of the Broome County Bar Association.

Kate graduated Phi Beta Kappa from the University of Colorado Boulder, where she was honored as a 1975 Pacesetter (Outstanding Senior Award), played point guard for the Lady Buffs, and was inducted into the Varsity “C” Club. She earned her J.D. from Albany Law School, where she founded the women’s rugby club—the MsDemeanors—and later returned as an honored Alumna in Residence.

A Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Kate retired as a partner at Levene, Gouldin & Thompson in Binghamton, New York, where she founded and chaired the firm’s Elder Law & Special Needs Group. She now shares her expertise as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Cornell Law School.

As NYSBA President, Kate championed access to justice, launched an ambitious three-year Membership Challenge to spur growth and engagement, and introduced the Association’s first presidential blog, setting a new standard for communication and transparency. During her term, Kate took great pride in establishing the Committee on LGBT People in the Law, which is now a Section. A past Chair of NYSBA’s Elder Law & Special Needs Section, she also founded the pioneering “Women on the Move” program and received the prestigious Ruth G. Schapiro Award for her leadership, mentorship, and advocacy for gender equity.

In 2008, Governor David Paterson appointed Kate as Chair of the Binghamton University Council, a prominent SUNY governance role she continues to hold with distinction.

Alcott

2006-2007

Mark H. Alcott

Mark H. Alcott is an independent neutral in complex disputes (domestic and international), serving as arbitrator, discovery supervisor, special master, mediator and early neutral evaluator. He does so through his own firm, Alcott ADR Services, having transitioned away from full-time law firm practice to concentrate on alternative dispute resolution.

Mr. Alcott is an honors graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. As a practicing lawyer for many decades, Mr. Alcott spent his career as a partner at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York City, focusing on litigation, arbitration and ADR. His practice included prominent domestic and international litigations and arbitrations. He has acted as counsel, arbitrator, mediator or neutral in hundreds of ADR proceedings.

Mr. Alcott served as the 109th President of the New York State Bar Association for the 2006–2007 bar year. As NYSBA President, he was a national spokesman for the profession, leading the fight for independence and diversity of the bench and bar; championing judicial selection reform and civil rights; and promoting an extensive reform agenda. Mr. Alcott initiated the Empire State Counsel program (to promote pro bono legal services for the poor) and led efforts to end mandatory retirement policies and other age discrimination in the legal profession. During his NYSBA leadership, he also led the House of Delegates proceedings on fostering the legal rights of same-sex couples. He was the Chair of NYSBA's Commercial and Federal Litigation Section, where he conceived and initiated the Commercial Division of the New York State Supreme Court. In the American Bar Association, Mr. Alcott served for many years as New York's State Delegate, sat on the Board of Governors, and was the Representative to the United Nations. Mr. Alcott is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, selected by peer review, and served as Chair of the College's Downstate New York and International Committees.

Mr. Alcott has repeatedly been recognized by his peers for his accomplishments. He was named as one of the country's top 25 litigators in The Best of the Best USA, based on an international survey of practitioners and counsel, and is cited for excellence in the other peer review guides of leading practitioners. He has written and lectured worldwide on issues of arbitration, litigation, professional ethics, and civic and international affairs. Mr. Alcott has been active in civic and philanthropic endeavors, sits on numerous nonprofit boards, and has chaired many professional committees. He has received numerous awards, prizes, and citations for his service to the profession and the community. A fund to promote pro bono work has been created and named in his honor by The New York Bar Foundation.

Mr. Alcott and his wife of many decades, Susan B. Alcott, an ordained Cantor, live in Westchester. They have four children, four children-in-law, and seven grandchildren.

Buzard

2005-2006

A. Vincent Buzard

Vince Buzard’s agenda as President, was to increase public understanding of the legal system and the lawyer's role in it and to raise the visibility of the Association. In furtherance of that goal his initiatives included establishing personal relationships with the media , establishing a People's Law School and "Ask a Lawyer." column In newspapers. He personally recorded PSAs on lawyers and the legal system He established task forces to study and oppose the Justice Department practice of requiring a waiver of the attorney-client privilege for plea negotiations , a task force to explain the Supreme Court’s decision in Kelo on Condemnation, a task force to provide a report debunk the myth of a litigation crisis, ana task force to limit lawyer advertising. Each of the task forces issued reports and action plans which were adopted by the House of Delegate and implemented. He also established a Katrina storm relief fund for lawyers to contribute to the restoration of the legal system in Louisiana which received national and international coverage.

Another initiative was to have a Thursday night dinner for all members of the Executive Committee and a Friday night dinner for all members of the House of Delegates to help members know each other. He also had a Directory of the House of delegates published.

He used humor in speeches and meetings and the high point was at the Presidents Dinner when he used jokes to present all of the Association’s ribbons to Chief Judge Judge Judith Kaye, who then emerged saying “now, I feel powerful.”

Mr. Buzard was President of the Monroe County Bar Association which gave him the Rodenbeck award for service to the profession and the community and was named Icon of Rochester by the Rochester Business Journal. He served as chair of the Council of Appellate lawyers of the American Bar Association and offered the treatise Appellate Practice in New York (LEXIS-NEXIS).

Standard

2004-2005

Kenneth G. Standard

Kenneth G. Standard served as President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) for the 2004–2005 bar year, becoming only the second African American to hold the office. During his presidency, he championed access to justice, professional accountability, judicial independence, and diversity in the legal profession, while expanding pro bono awareness. Among his lasting contributions is the establishment of the Kenneth G. Standard Internship Program, designed to support law students from diverse backgrounds. Beyond the presidency, Standard has chaired several NYSBA committees, including the Nominating Committee, the Committee on Judicial Selection, and the Committee on Diversity & Inclusion.

A seasoned corporate and labor attorney, Standard previously served as special counsel at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and as assistant general counsel for Consolidated Edison, overseeing labor relations, environmental matters, and employee benefit plans. Earlier in his career, he held senior legal positions at Bristol-Myers, including vice president and senior counsel in its products division. Following his NYSBA presidency, he joined Epstein Becker & Green, leading the firm’s Labor & Employment practice and chairing its National Diversity & Professional Development Committee.

Standard’s civic engagement extends to nonprofit and healthcare organizations, including governance and executive roles with the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, the United Seamen’s Service, and the Aspirin Foundation of America. His professional achievements have been recognized with numerous honors, including the ABA Alexander Award for Lifetime Achievement in Pipeline Diversity and NYSBA’s George Bundy Smith Pioneer Award (2013), reflecting a career dedicated to legal excellence, ethical leadership, and advancing opportunity and inclusion in the profession.

Levin

2003-2004

A. Thomas Levin

A. Thomas Levin is a seasoned attorney, shareholder, and former General Counsel at Meyer, Suozzi, English & Klein, P.C. in Garden City, New York. He served as the 106th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 2003 to June 2004, becoming the first NYSBA president from Nassau County, where he served as Senior Deputy Nassau County Attorney between 1971-2019. During his presidency, Levin focused on professional responsibility, public education about civics, diversity and leadership development, and legal system reform, including international educational programs for members.

Levin earned his A.B. from Brown University in 1964, and both his J.D. (1967) and LL.M. (1968) from New York University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in New York, Florida, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and in various federal courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.

His legal practice emphasizes local government law, land use and zoning, environmental review, municipal and commercial litigation, appellate work, and professional responsibility. Levin has represented numerous municipalities, school districts, and public agencies, and has served in public-sector roles including law secretary to a New York State Supreme Court Justice and counsel to the NY Assembly Judiciary Committee. He also provided pro bono counsel for nonprofit organizations for more than three decades.

Levin has held numerous bar leadership roles, including Secretary of NYSBA, President of the Nassau County Bar Association, and leadership positions in national bar organizations. He is a life member of the NYSBA House of Delegates, a sustaining fellow of the NYS and American Bar Foundations, and a frequent author and speaker on municipal law, ethics, and legal practice trends. Levin is Counsel, and Emeritus Trustee, of the Historical Society of the New York Courts. He also served as editor of the Bench Book for Trial Judges, a reference work for New York trial judges (originally published by the Judicial Conference / Office of Court Administration, currently by Thomson Reuters).

Rice

1999-2000

Thomas O. Rice

Thomas O. Rice served as the 103rd President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) during the 1999–2000 bar year, where he provided thoughtful leadership on pressing professional-responsibility issues. During his tenure, he publicly addressed topics including non-lawyer ownership of law firms and multidisciplinary practice at the American Bar Association, emphasizing the importance of maintaining ethical standards and preserving the independence of the legal profession. Rice also highlighted the development and expansion of the Commercial Division of the New York Supreme Court, recognizing the bar’s role in advocating for specialized business courts.

Based in Garden City, New York, Rice has practiced extensively in banking, commercial transactions, and trusts and estates. Following his term as NYSBA President, he joined the law firm Albanese & Albanese as counsel, continuing his long-standing commitment to serving both clients and the broader legal community.

Throughout his career, Rice has been recognized for his engagement in the broader discourse on legal practice, participating in national debates concerning the structure and governance of the profession. His contributions reflect a balance of practical legal expertise and principled leadership, with a consistent focus on advancing professional standards while addressing emerging challenges in the legal field.

Rice earned a B.S. at Fordham in 1966, his J.D. from St. John in 1968 and an LLM from NYU in 1977.

Richardson

1996-1997

M. Catherine Richardson

M. Catherine Richardson is a native Syracusan, and spent her entire legal career as a business lawyer and advisor with Bond Schoeneck & King, PLLC. Believing in the saying ‘community service is the rent we pay for living on earth” and with the support of Bond, she applied her legal talents and leadership skills to over 30 organizations, serving as President or Chair of the majority of them, or their special projects.

Richardson served as the 99th President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) during the 1996–1997 bar year, becoming the second woman in the Association’s history to hold that office. Prior to her NYSBA presidency, she was the first woman to serve as President of the Onondaga County Bar Association. She has also served on the Board of Governors of the ABA, and is a Fellow of the New York Bar Foundation, where she chaired the Fellows group and later served as its President beginning in 2009.

Besides serving her clients, she also added her skills to the corporate boards of several corporations and was even loaned out to a client as Corporate Counsel during a time of acquisitions and mergers. During her legal career she has been an advocate for the voiceless and strived to promote diversity in the legal profession and its leadership. Richardson has received numerous awards for her advocacy and leadership including: The Distinguished Lawyer (OCBA) the Ruth Shapiro Award (NYSBA), Outstanding Alumna (SUNY Oswego), Lifetime Achievement (TNYBF) and Honorary Doctor of Laws by State University of New York.

Richardson received her BS from SUNY Oswego (1963), her MA from University of Northern Colorado (1969), and after teaching high school mathematics for 9 years, her JD from Syracuse College of Law (1977).

Bracken

1992-1993

John P. Bracken

John P. Bracken served as President of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) from June 1992 to June 1993 and has maintained a long-standing commitment to the governance and leadership of the Association. A member of the NYSBA House of Delegates since 1981, he also served as Chair of the New York State Conference of Bar Leaders from 1985 to 1987 and has contributed to numerous committees. At the local level, Bracken has held leadership positions as Past President of the Suffolk County Bar Association (1984–85) and as a director and active member of the Nassau County Bar Association.

Born on March 9, 1938, in Rockville Centre, New York, Bracken earned his B.A. from Hobart College in 1960 and his J.D. from Fordham University in 1963, gaining admission to the New York Bar that same year. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1964 to 1967, attaining the rank of Captain.

A founding partner of Bracken & Margolin in Islandia, New York, his legal practice encompasses civil and criminal law, commercial litigation, labor and employment matters, real estate, environmental law, estates and probate, municipal and administrative law, and certiorari and condemnation matters. He is admitted to several U.S. Federal Courts, including the Second Circuit and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York.

Bracken’s civic and bar involvement includes appointments to the New York State Judicial Screening Committee, trustee of the New York State Bar Foundation, Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, and service on the American Arbitration Association Panel of Arbitrators. His contributions have been recognized with the American Red Cross “Man of the Year” award (1986) and the Distinguished Service Award from the Fordham University Law Alumni Association (1989).

Palermo

1979-1980

Anthony R. Palermo

Anthony R. Palermo served as the 82nd President of the New York State Bar Association from 1979 to 1980, capping a decades-long record of distinguished bar leadership and service. Early in his career, he was designated as one of four special trial counsel in connection with the grand jury infestation, indictment, prosecution and conviction of Soviet master spy Rudolph Abel.

An NYSBA member since 1961, he chaired the Action Unit on Access to Legal Services, helping elevate “Professionalism in the Practice of Law” as the defining theme of his presidency. Palermo has served in the NYSBA House of Delegates for more than 45 years and played a pivotal role in initiatives that strengthened the profession statewide, including the establishment of the New York Conference of Bar Leaders and the multistate Mid-Atlantic Bar Conference. As a representative of the Monroe County Bar Association to the House of Delegates, Palermo successfully initiated a resolution that ultimately resulted in the passage of legislation establishing statewide registration and regulation of all New York lawyers.

Following his NYSBA presidency, Palermo was elected New York State Delegate to the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates, later serving eight years on the ABA Board of Governors and as ABA Secretary from 1990 to 1993. His leadership contributed to major reforms, including statewide attorney registration and the creation of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, where he served as the Board’s first Chair.

Palermo practiced law for more than 60 years, retiring as Of Counsel at Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP in Rochester. His career encompassed federal and state litigation, trusts and estates, elder law, general practice, mediation, and was instrumental in the creation of the Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 1974, he was consistently listed in Best Lawyers in America.

A graduate of the University of Michigan and Georgetown University Law Center, Palermo began his career in the U.S. Department of Justice Honors Program, later serving as Assistant U.S. Attorney in both the Southern and Western Districts of New York. His lifelong commitment to professionalism, ethics, and service has left a lasting legacy on the legal profession.

250 Years of NYSBA Presidents

	Years Served	Name	Hometown
1st.	1876-1877	John K. Porter	New York City
2nd.	1878-1879	Samuel Hand	Albany
3rd.	1880-1881	Sherman S. Rogers	Buffalo
4th.	1882-1883	William C. Ruger	Syracuse
5th.	1884	Elliott F. Shepard	New York City
6th.	1885-1886	David B. Hill	Elmira
7th.	1887-1888	Martin W. Cooke	Rochester
8th.	1889	William H. Arnoux	New York City
9th.	1890	Matthew Hale	Albany
10th.	1891	George M. Diven	Elmira
11th.	1892-1893	J. Newton Fiero	Albany
12th.	1894	Tracy C. Becker	Buffalo
13th.	1895	William H. Robertson	Katonah
14th.	1896-1897	Edward G. Whitaker	New York City
15th.	1898	Simon W. Rosendale	Albany
16th.	1899	Walter S. Logan	New York City
17th.	1900	Fancis M. Finch	Ithaca
18th.	1901	William B. Hornblower	New York City
19th.	1902-1903	John G. Milburn	New York City
20th.	1904-1905	Richard L. Hand	Elizabethtown
21st.	1906-1907	Joseph H. Choate	New York City
22nd.	1908	Francis Lynde Stetson	New York City
23rd.	1909	Adelbert Moot	Buffalo
24th.	1910-1911	Elihu Root	New York City
25th.	1912	William Nottingham	Syracuse
26th.	1913-1914	Alton B. Parker	New York City
27th.	1915	Alphonso Clearwater	Kingston
28th.	1916	Moran J. O'Brien	New York City
29th.	1917-1918	Charles E. Hughes	New York City
30th.	1919	Henry W. Taft	New York City
31st.	1920	Nathan L. Miller	Syracuse
32nd.	1921-1922	William D. Guthrie	New York City
33rd.	1923	William N. Dykman	Brooklyn
34th.	1924-1925	Walter P. Cooke	Buffalo
35th.	1926	Arthur E. Sutherland	Rochester
36th.	1927-1928	William C. Breed	New York City
37th.	1929-1931	Frank H. Hiscock	Syracuse
38th.	1932-1933	Samuel Seabury	New York City
39th.	1934	Daniel J. Kenefick	Buffalo
40th.	1935-1936	John Godfrey Saxe	New York City
41st.	1937	George H. Bond	Syracuse
42nd.	1938	Joseph Rosch	Albany
43rd.	1939	Fred L. Gross	Brooklyn
44th.	1940	Warnick J. Kernan	Utica
45th.	1941-1942	John G. Jackson	New York City
46th.	1943	James McC. Mitchell	Buffalo
47th.	1944	Jackson A. Dykman	Brooklyn
48th.	1945-1946	Lewis C. Ryan	Syracuse
49th.	1947	Robert E. Lee	New York City
50th.	1948	Mason H. Bigleow	New York City
51st.	1949	Neil G. Harrison	Binghamton
52nd.	1950	Otis T Bradley	New York City (Deceased)
53rd.	***	M. William Bray	Utica
54th.	1951	Arthur VD Chamberlain	Rochester
55th.	1952	Weston Vernon, Jr.	New York City
56th.	1953	Franklin R. Brown	Buffalo(Deceased)
57th.	1954	Hunter L. Delatour	Brooklyn(Deceased)
58th.	1955	Edmund H. Lewis	Syracuse(Deceased)
59th.	1956	Cloyd Laporte, Jr.	New York City(Deceased)
60th.	1957	Clarence R. Runals	Niagara Falls(Deceased)
61st.	1958	S. Hazard Gillespie, Jr.	New York City
62nd.	1959	C. Addison Keller	Binghamton
63rd.	1960	Chauncey Belknap	New York City(Deceased)
64th.	1961	J. Boyd Mullan	Rochester(Deceased)
65th.	1962	David W. Peck	New York City(Deceased)
66th.	1963	William F. Fitzpatrick	Syracuse (Deceased)
67th.	1964	Orison S. Marden	New York City(Deceased)
68th.	1965	Sidney B. Pfeifer	Buffalo(Deceased)
69th.	1966	Lawrence E. Walsh	New York City(Deceased)
70th.	1967-1968	J. Henry Neale	Scarsdale(Deceased)
71st.	1968-1969	Lyman M. Tondel, Jr.	New York City(Deceased)
72nd.	1969-1970	George G. Coughlin	Binghamton(Deceased)
73rd.	1970-1971	Stuart N. Scott	New York City(Deceased)
74th.	1971-1972	Hugh R. Jones	Utica(Deceased)
75th.	1972-1973	Robert MacCrate	New York City(Deceased)
76th.	1973-1974	Ellsworth VanGraafeiland	Rochester(Deceased)
77th.	1974-1975	Whitney North Seymour, Jr.	New York City(Deceased)
78th.	1975-1976	Joseph H. Murphy	Syracuse (Deceased)
79th.	1976-1977	Edwin F. Russell	Brooklyn(Deceased)
80th.	1977-1978	Henry J. Smith	White Plains (Deceased)
81st.	1978-1979	Robert P. Patterson, Jr.	New York City
82nd.	1979-1980	Anthony R. Palermo	Rochester
83rd.	1980-1981	Alexander D. Forger	New York City
84th.	1981-1982	David S. Williams	Albany
85th.	1982-1983	Bernard J. Reilly	Babylon(Deceased)
86th.	1983-1984	Haliburton Fales 2d	New York City (Deceased)
87th.	1984-1985	Henry G. Miller	White Plains (Deceased)
88th.	1985-1986	Justin L. Vigdor	Rochester (Deceased)
89th.	1986-1987	Charles E. Heming	New York City (Deceased)
90th.	1987-1988	Maryann Saccomando Freedman	Buffalo (Deceased)
91st.	1988-1989	Henry L. King	New York City (Deceased)
92nd.	1989-1990	John J. Yanas	Albany (Deceased)
93rd.	1990-1991	Angelo T. Cometa	New York City (Deceased)
94th.	1991-1992	Robert L. Ostertag	Poughkeepsie (Deceased)
95th.	1992-1993	John P. Bracken	Islandia
96th.	1993-1994	Archibald R. Murray	New York City (Deceased)
97th.	1994-1995	G. Robert Witmer, Jr.	Rochester (Deceased)
98th.	1995-1996	Maxwell S. Pfeifer	Bronx
99th.	1996-1997	M. Catherine Richardson	Syracuse
100th.	1997-1998	Joshua M. Pruzansky	Smithtown (Deceased)
101st.	1998-1999	James C. Moore	Rochester (Deceased)
102nd.	1999-2000	Thomas O. Rice	Melville
103rd.	2000-2001	Paul Michael Hassett	Buffalo (Deceased)
104th.	2001-2002	Steven C. Krane	New York City (Deceased)
105th.	2002-2003	Lorraine Power Tharp	Albany (Deceased)
106th.	2003-2004	A. Thomas Levin	Mineola
107th.	2004-2005	Kenneth G. Standard	New York City
108th.	2005-2006	A. Vincent Buzard	Pittsford
109th.	2006-2007	Mark H. Alcott	New York City
110th.	2007-2008	Kathryn Grant Madigan	Binghamton
111th.	2008-2009	Bernice K. Leber	New York City
112th.	2009-2010	Michael E. Getnick	Utica
113th.	2010-2011	Stephen P. Younger	New York City
114th.	2011-2012	Vincent E. Doyle III	Buffalo
115th.	2012-2013	Seymour W. James, Jr.	New York City
116th.	2013-2014	David M. Schraver	Rochester
117th.	2014-2015	Glenn Lau-Kee	New York City
118th.	2015-2016	David P. Miranda	Albany
119th.	2016-2017	Claire P. Gutekunst	Yonkers
120th.	2017-2018	Sharon Stern Gerstman	Buffalo
121st.	2018-2019	Michael Miller	New York City
122nd.	2019-2020	Henry M. Greenberg	Albany
123rd.	2020-2021	Scott M. Karson	Melville
124th.	2021-2022	T. Andrew Brown	Rochester
125th.	2022-2023	Sherry Levin Wallach	White Plains
126th.	2023-2024	Richard C. Lewis	Binghamton
127th.	2024-2025	Domenick Napoletano	Brooklyn

Historical Images

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First Logo

Historical Documents and Articles

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Vigor Looks Back, Projects Future of New York State Bar Association: President Justin L. Vigdor (1986)

State Bar News: 125th Anniversary (2001)

New York Times: One Elk Street Article (1971)

A Page of History: President Joseph H. Murphy (1976)

Facts About the New York State Bar Association and The Bar Center (1989)

Seventy-Five Years of Achievement-Our Association in Retrospect: President Nathan L. Miller (1952)

Report of the Secretary: Annual Meeting (1897)

President's Message: Steven C. Krane (2002) — President’s Message: Steven C. Krane (2002)

The President's Page: President Edwin F. Russell (1976) — The President’s Page: President Edwin F. Russell (1976)

Our New Bar Center: Dedication Ceremony Remarks (1971)

Commemorating 100 Years of History of the New York State Bar Association (1976)

The Historical Society of the Courts of the State of New York-Gala Dinner (2012)

History of the New York State Bar Association-A Century of Achievement: Francis Bergan

New York Law Review-Early Days of the New York State Bar Association (1940)

A Capsule History by Executive Director John E. Barry (1962)

This Time Everyone Wins: Ada Louise Huxtable (1968)

Celebrating 150 Years

Celebrating Sections

Notable Milestones

Birth of NYSBA 1876

NYSBA and the creation of the Hague World Court

NYSBA’s First Woman President

Past Presidents Interviews

M. Catherine Richardson

A. Thomas Levin

A. Vincent Buzard

Mark H. Alcott

Kathryn Grant Madigan

Bernice K. Leber

Michael E. Getnick

Stephen P. Younger

Vincent E. Doyle III

Seymour W. James, Jr.

David M. Schraver

Glenn Lau-Kee

David P. Miranda

Claire P. Gutekunst

Sharon Stern Gerstman

Henry M. Greenberg

Scott M. Karson

T. Andrew Brown

Sherry Levin Wallach

Richard C. Lewis

Domenick Napoletano

NYSBA Merch

Celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the New York State Bar Association is a significant milestone, and commemorative gifts of appreciation can express gratitude while honoring the history and legacy of our organization.

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