The New York State Bar Association’s Government Relations department is an integral part of the core mission and activities of the Association. The department works closely with the Continuing Legal Education (CLE), Communications, and membership departments as well as the many Sections, Committees and Task Forces of the Bar.
The department interacts with the Executive and Legislative branches of state government in Albany, as well as the federal government to advocate for the legislative priorities of the Association. The legislative priorities are developed in consultation the Legislative Policy Committee, with input with the Association’s Task Forces, Sections and Committees.
NYSBA members have unique insight into the practice of law that can meaningfully shape state and federal policy. The department serves as a resource for those members looking to get involved in the legislative process in the following ways:
- Assists sections and committees in recommending a policy issue to be adopted as an Association-wide state or federal legislative priority;
- Provides key stakeholders and elected officials with memoranda drafted by sections and committees commenting on pending legislation;
- Assists sections and committees in developing affirmative legislative proposals, a new piece of legislation;
- Facilitates communication between members, and the legislative and executive branches;
- Tracks and notifies members of legislation that is relevant to their practice area, and
- Serves as a general resource regarding NYSBA’s legislative procedure and the state and federal legislative process.
State and Legislative Priorities (2024)
Fact Sheets and Flyers
Legislation & Legislative Memoranda
Current
Past
2024 Legislative Wrap-Ups
All links open PDFs
- Business Law
- Children and the Law
- Family and the Law
- Civil Practice Law and Rules
- Environment and Energy Law
- Elder Law and Special Needs
- Immigration
- Real Property Law
- Trust and Estates
- Torts Insurance Compensation Law
- Women in the Law
2023 Legislative Wrap-Ups
All links open PDFs
- Business Law
- Women and the Law
- Torts, Insurance, Compensation Law
- Task Force on Racism, Social Equity, and the Law
- Real Property Law
- Immigration Representation
- Elder Law and Special Needs
- Civil Practice Law and Rules
- Animals and the Law
- Children and the Law
- Trust and Estates
New York State Bar Association’s 2024 Government Relations Legislative Update
The New York State Bar Association’s 2023 Government Relations Legislative Update
Successful 2023 Legislative Session for the New York State Bar Association
2022 Legislative Wrap-Ups
Overall 2022 legislative wrap-up here
- Animals and the Law
- Civil Practice Law and Rules
- Energy and Environmental Law
- Immigration Representation
- Veterans
- Women and the Law
Click here to view the 2021 Governmental Relations Legislative Wrap-Up
Association Policy
NYSBA periodically creates and publishes policy documents with a legislative proposal that are available to the public on a broad range of issues.
The Department of Government Relations is located at the New York State Bar Center, One Elk Street, Albany, New York 12207. The Department and NYSBA’s state policy is managed by Government Relations Director Matthew Pennello. For more information, please contact our Government Relations team at:
Matthew Pennello | Director of Government Relations | [email protected] | 518.487.5748
Lena Faustel | Policy Manager | [email protected] | (518) 487-5675
Maureen (Moe) Whitcomb | Assistant to the Executive Offices | [email protected] | (518) 487-5652
Hilary Jochmans | Federal Policy Consultant | [email protected] | (202) 669-3585
David P. Miranda, Esq. | General Counsel | [email protected] | (518) 487-5524
Process for Commenting on Legislation
Sections and Committees of the Association are permitted to comment in support of or in opposition to existing legislation and may also recommend affirmative legislative proposals to the Association Executive Committee to adopt as policy of the Association. The Department of Government Relations has provided the following materials to outline this process. Please note that the sample memorandum does not have the required disclosures nor letterhead. These are added by the Department after it has reviewed and approved the draft memoranda.