Committee for Bar Leaders of New York State

Mission Statement

The Committee for Bar Leaders of New York State is first and foremost an organization for bar leaders dedicated to providing a forum for the exchange of information and ideas. 

The Committee works to advance the objectives of the organized bar, encourages communication and collaboration among bar associations, promotes leadership development for present and future bar leaders, hosts workshops and programs that provide educational opportunities and fosters networking. 

View our online community! For committee members only. A username and password are required to login. A committee roster can be found here

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2019 Bar Leaders Innovation Award Winners announced

The Committee has announced the winners the 2019 Bar Leaders Innovation Awards for local, diverse, special purpose and specialty bar associations in New York State, as well as for the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.

The awards will be presented to each association during one their upcoming events. Congratulations to the winning bar associations and thank you to all the bars that participated.


The Good that Bar Associations Do

The generosity of bar associations to the communities they serve knows no bounds.

Now in its fourth year, the Genesee County Bar Association organizes a toy drive that in 2019 generated $4,500 worth of toy donations from its members. These gifts were sent to the YWCA of Genesee County and its Domestic Violence Program. An acknowledgment from the YWCA noted, “Without you, many children this year would not have been able to open presents on Christmas morning.” The YWCA acknowledgment detailed examples of how the donated toys provided young families with a merrier holiday.

“The real-life stories are the reason why we do this toy drive,” noted Mary Ann Wiater. “Knowing we made a difference in the lives of the children in our community is the greatest Christmas gift of all.”

The work of bar associations to support others spans the state and the calendar. Below is a very small sampling of the work bar groups do on behalf of others:

  • The Metropolitan Black Bar Association sponsors an annual backpack drive for young students returning to school each fall.
  • The Long Island Black and Hispanic Bar Association holds a winter coat drive early each calendar year, and the Nassau County Women’s Bar Association has a mitten drive and fundraiser to benefit the Safe Center, LI.
  • For 25 years the Albany County Bar Association has sponsored an annual Law Day 5K run to support its Foundation efforts.

Regarding foundations, many bar associations have active programs that welcome grant applications to support projects, programs and other organizations that advance the work of the legal profession, as well as providing scholarships to law students.

The New York State Bar Association’s Committee for Bar Leaders congratulates bars everywhere for their ongoing support of its members, the legal profession and others. Happy 2020 to all.


Call for Bar Profiles: Reviving the Bar Around the Corner

The Committee is relaunching the Bar Around the Corner feature series, previously run in regular editions of NYSBA’s State Bar News. Click the link above to download the questionnaire, complete it and return as directed. Your profile will run in a subsequent Bar Blast and be uploaded to the Committee’s web page. 

Bar leaders best practices Webinar series

Click any of the links below to view the webinar.

Developing Successful Collaborations with Other Bar Associations
With a large number and broad variety of bar associations across New York State, there are ample opportunities for bar groups to partner on projects and events that benefit both associations. This webinar will address the challenges and successes encountered when collaborating not only with bar associations, but with other legal, professional and civic groups that enhance the work of the legal profession.
Collaboration Best Practices Tip Sheet

Motivating Young Lawyers to Bar Service
Bar associations face a dual challenge when it comes to young lawyers – getting them to join and keeping them engaged. Millennial lawyers are not enrolling in professional and civic groups as did earlier generations. This webinar will look at how associations can provide relevance and opportunities for younger attorneys through innovative programs and outreach. It will also review strategies to more quickly advance younger attorneys into positions of responsibility and leadership.

Succession Planning to Enhance Your Bar's Leadership
During any given year, your bar association’s leadership can make or break your operations – how you interact with your members and strengthen your association community. Panelists will address the need or succession planning and policies, practice tips and pitfalls encountered, how to engage Millennials in leadership positions and long-term succession plans.

Attracting, Engaging and Retaining New and Young Attorneys and Leveraging Social Media to Raise Your Association's Profile
Attracting and retaining members are issues for all bar organizations and leaders. Panelists will provide their perspectives and approaches on how to connect with potential members and lead them to become active and engaged members of your association.


Bar Association Events Calendar

This is a listing of events being held by various bar associations all across the state. 


New York State Committee for Bar Leaders of New York State Hyperlinks 

Bar Leader Update Form 

Bar Around the Corner Archives