Profiles In Leadership: Kathryn Grant Madigan
8.4.2025
What made you become involved and stay with NYSBA?
Back in December of 1978 I attended my first Broome County Bar Association holiday party. I was not yet admitted* and was accompanied by Security Mutual Life Insurance Co. of NY General Counsel Bob Byron, who encouraged me to participate in local bar activities. One of the first lawyers I met was Charlie Yetter, a former president of the county bar and chair of the NYSBA Membership Committee. After introducing himself and buying me a beer, Charlie turned to me and said “Kate, if you are going to practice law in NYS, you should join the New York State Bar Association.”
*Once I was admitted to the bar in January 1979, I became the 5th woman lawyer in the Binghamton area.
I continued to stay with NYSBA because I became a better lawyer and a better person and developed significant expertise in my practice areas (Trusts, Estates and Elder Law). I discovered my path to leadership and made many life-long friends. In addition, the State Bar enabled me to hone my skills as an orator and teacher. I am especially proud of my collaboration with former NYSBA Director of Law Office Economics Stephen P. Gallagher in founding the “Women on the Move” program, which we first launched in 2003 to provide practical advice to women lawyers on work-life balance, networking, and gender equity. Since that time, it has become a signature program of the State Bar and is now produced by the Women in the Law Section.
Describe your journey to becoming a NYSBA leader.
As soon as I was admitted to the NYS and Federal Bar I was appointed to the Membership Committee by then State Bar President Robert (Bob) P. Patterson at the request of the Chair and my mentor, Charlie Yetter, who taught me how to navigate the State Bar. While serving on Membership, I was part of a small subcommittee of in-house Counsel, chaired by Bob Geltzer, which led to the establishment of the Corporate Counsel Section. I then chaired the Law Student subcommittee in which we established a Law Student Council consisting of student representatives from every law school in NYS who would compete for prizes for recruiting NYSBA law student members, along with Jay Carlisle from Pace Law School, John P. Hederman from Mudge Rose, and other young, dynamic members of the Membership Committee. It was a heady time of tremendous growth in the number of law school graduates and in the number of members joining our state and local bars.
Back in Broome County, I chaired the CLE Committee (we presented 6-8 programs annually), was elected to the Board of Directors, and in 1988 became the youngest (age 35) and first woman President of the Broome County Bar Association. As a result of the unexpected and tragic death of my mentor, Stanley B. Reiter, on Law Day in 1989, the leadership of the Sixth Judicial District Federation selected me to serve in place of Stan as the new Vice President from the 6th District on the NYSBA Executive Committee. That personal tragedy set the stage for my journey at NYSBA.
Did mentorship or advocacy help you succeed as a leadership?
Yes! Both mentorship and advocacy helped me succeed as a leader. In addition, my mentoring and advocacy helped many colleagues at the state (and local) bar become successful committee and section leaders, a number of whom were elected President of our great Association. My mentors at NYSBA include Angelo Cometa, Bob Ostertag, Josh Pruzansky and Mimi Netter.
What do you see as the greatest challenge for the legal profession in the next five years and how have you tried to address that challenge as a NYSBA Bar Leader?
Back in 2024, this list would have been quite different. Today I see five major challenges for the legal profession: increasing disrespect for the rule of law; attacks on the independence of the judiciary and our democratic principles; an administration targeting law firms and universities for legally valid DEI practices and programs; AI and the lack of any meaningful regulation by Congress; and attacks on LGBTQ persons throughout the country, especially transgender individuals. I’d like to focus this answer on efforts to promote equality for LGBTQ+ people.
In 2005, the House of Delegates considered and voted down “marriage equality” for LGBT individuals in a close vote. When I became President, I made it clear that in addition to the 3 Year Membership Challenge I launched, Bernice Leber continued, and Mike Getnick concluded, resulting in an increased membership of over 78,000 members with gains in Sections as well (thanks to Stephen P. Younger and his team), I pledged to establish the Special Committee on LGBT People and the Law, appointing Michele Kahn as Chair, who served in that role until 2015. The Committee included lesbian, gay, bi, trans and hetero lawyers throughout NY. In 2009, the House of Delegates revisited the issue of marriage equality; the vote in favor was a proud moment for the State Bar, as we joined forces with other advocates and in June 2011, Governor Cuomo signed the Marriage Equality Act. In 2018, Chris Riano became Chair, shepherding the Standing Committee through the HOD into the LGBTQ People in the Law Section, which was renamed the LGBTQ+ Section. While in other states, the rights of LGBTQ+ people are being stripped of their rights, NYS stands as a shining light for all.
What advice would you give to future leaders?
Find a mentor who supports and encourages you. Be a mentor to others.
Be passionate. It’s passion that carries you through when times are tough. It’s passion that attracts others to join you and be a part of something that can make an enduring difference in the law, the justice system and in the lives of others. The most successful leaders leave their footprints in their areas of passion.
Be an active listener. Listen without distraction to your colleagues or team members; encourage open communication.
Lead by example. “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.” John C. Maxwell.
Share power by involving others in decision-making. Be collaborative. Be prepared to “roll up your sleeves” and demonstrate your willingness to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal. Others will take note of your work ethic and want to follow you.
Find work/life balance. Take all your vacation time. Take off your watch. Unplug from electronics, unless it’s to make dinner reservations. Be present with your loved ones. Most highly successful people take their vacation time very seriously. It will improve your creativity, productivity and your relationships. “I wish I had spent more time at my office” said no one on their deathbed. Be fully present with your loved ones. We lawyers work long hours; we all need to renew and refresh. Visualize your law practice as a series of sprints, rather than a marathon or a slog, taking short breaks – a walk outdoors; close your eyes and listen to soft music; try a 15-minute meditation; or a 20 minute power nap – all of which will revitalize you.
Be a servant-leader. “A leader is great not because of his or her power, but because of his or her ability to empower others.” John C. Maxwell
If you are fortunate to be elected President of NYSBA, remember: “it’s the Association, stupid.” It’s not about your own initiatives. It’s really about what your bar association needs at that moment in time. And finally, no one ever complains about a speech that is too short. It will endear you to many.
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