Maintaining NYSBA Membership Affords Judges Numerous Benefits
10.15.2025
When an attorney becomes a judge, the New York State Bar Association officially considers them to be retired from the practice of law. The newly minted judge no longer has to earn 24 hours of continuing legal education credit every two years. Similarly, they no longer have to pay the bi-annual registration fee. In addition, the Rules of Judicial Conduct require them to almost entirely distance themselves from their former colleagues and they cannot take advantage of the networking and social opportunities the Bar Association offers. Accordingly, many judges let their membership to NYSBA lapse out of a mistaken belief that membership offers no further benefits.
Such judges (and I was one of them) are mistaken. The Bar Association’s vision statement provides that the New York State Bar Association engages and educates its members, shapes development of law, responds to the demands of our diverse and ever-changing legal profession and the public we serve, and advocates for legislation, equal access to justice, and the rule of law. Even as a judge, there are numerous opportunities to promote these ideals. The most effective way to do so is to maintain your NYSBA membership and join the Judicial Section. The Judicial Section is made up of New York judges and has a clear track record of advocating for improvements in the state’s judicial system.
The section also provides a forum for representatives of the Council of Judicial Associations to address issues relating to legislation and court procedure. The Council is comprised of the leadership of the 20 largest judicial associations in the state, including the Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, Surrogates Association, County Judges Association, Court of Claims Judges Association, Family Court Association, Latino Judges Association, and New York Women Judges Association. The Council’s purpose is to promote improvement in the administration of justice in the courts of the State and to promote effective cooperation between the members of the bench and members of the bar.
Section membership also offers a great opportunity for valuable interaction with other judges from across the state. Networking with colleagues is an important part of achieving success, enhancing the professionalism of the judiciary and striking a healthy work-life balance. The Section’s Annual Meeting takes place in New York City in January and presents a casual opportunity to interact with hundreds of fellow judges in a social setting. The Chief Judge, Chief Administrative Judge, and their leadership team are typically present and eager to meet new judges.
In short, maintaining your NYSBA (or re-instating it after a lapse) and joining the Judicial Section gives judges an opportunity for their voices to be heard on important matters of legislation and to advocate for improvements to the judicial system. It also presents an opportunity to interact on a social level with peers from across the state. Finally, it is one of the most direct ways to promote collegiality between the Bench and the Bar. Please join us!
Justice Brian D. Burns is the Supreme Court Justice in Otsego County. He was first elected to serve as Otsego County, Family, and Surrogate Court Judge in 2001, was appointed to serve as an Acting Supreme Court Justice in 2008 and elected to Supreme Court in 2020. Justice Burns is the presiding member of the New York State Bar Association’s Judicial Section.
