NYSBA Celebrates 150th Anniversary and Annual Meeting in New York City

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Happy 150th, NYSBA!

4.21.2026

By Kathleen Sweet

April 21, 2026

• News Center
• Happy 150th, NYSBA!

Annual Meeting 2026

Thousands of lawyers attended our meeting at the Hilton Midtown in New York City. NYSBA staff came together to execute one of our biggest and best meetings ever:

The Constance Baker Motley Symposium celebrated the courage and entrepreneurial spirit of Madam C.J. Walker and the guidance and wise counsel she received from her business manager and lawyer, Freeman Ransom, as told by her great-great-granddaughter, journalist A’Lelia Bundles. It was inspiring.

The Presidential Summit featured Pulitzer Prize winning historian Jack Rakove, and Yale University Law School Peter Gruber Rule of Law Clinic Co-Director and Jan. 6 prosecutor Sonia Mittal. They engaged in a riveting discussion of constitutional failure, moderated by MS NOW’S Lawrence O’Donnell. Hundreds of members attended this timely and thought-provoking program.

The Presidential Gala took place at the historic Plaza Hotel and Gov. Kathy Hochul received the Association’s highest honor, the Gold Medal. She recalled to those in attendance her days as an idealistic young New York lawyer and shared stories of her humble roots and unlikely ascension to becoming New York’s first woman governor.

Rural Ready. In partnership with the Unified Court System and led by Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry of the Appellate Division, Third Department, we launched “Rural Ready,” an interactive website and recruiting initiative to address New York’s legal deserts and the justice gap in communities where more lawyers are needed. Please check it out at nyruralready.com.

When I was sworn in last June, membership was the top priority for my term as president. There’s good news on that score: For the first time in over a decade membership increased year over year from 2025 over 2024, and the momentum keeps building. With our beloved late Executive Director, Pam McDevitt, the membership and marketing departments, and the Membership Committee, launched a new all-inclusive membership model in late 2024. Membership in every section has grown by at least 10%. Participation in NYSBA CLE programming is breaking all-time records. We now have members in over 70 countries and we are just over 2,000 paid members ahead to date. Indeed, our growing International Section, led by Brazil’s Helen Naves and Torsten Kracht of Washington, D.C., continues to produce and deliver exceptional programming.

Speaking Out for the Profession and in Defense of the Rule of Law

As we have for 150 years, this year we have stood up for the profession and spoken out in defense of the Rule of Law. And as others joined the chorus, we have also acted. We have delivered timely programming on topics of urgent concern. At a NYSBA webinar on March 10, experts provided guidance on “The Limits of Federal Law Enforcement,” an issue many of us wrestle with in the context of immigration enforcement actions and peaceful protests.

We recently filed a comment letter opposing former Attorney General Pam Bondi’s proposed rule that would exempt Department of Justice attorneys from the normal process of investigation and discipline by state courts and bar associations for violations of ethical rules governing attorney conduct. It continues to be our position that any lawyer who abandons their oath to the Constitution by intentionally misrepresenting the facts or law in court should be properly subject to the same discipline as every other attorney, even if they work for the Department of Justice.

What’s Next?

“My NYSBA AI.” We continue to review vendor proposals to support an AI platform for members-only that would allow you to query NYSBA’s incredible and encyclopedic content. From CLE materials, to Association policies, Committee and Section reports, NYSBA history and member benefits resources and services, with the entry of a query members will get answers. Stay tuned.

Making History in 2026

With the installation in June of Taa Grays as President and Michelle Wildgrube as President-Elect, our association will be led by its first Black woman and first Asian woman, respectively. And, for the first time in its history, the office of President will pass from one woman to another, and then another. We celebrate the diversity of our membership as reflected by our leaders.

Thank You

Finally, as my year winds down, let me express my gratitude for an amazing year filled with opportunities, challenges, experiences and people I will never forget. To the NYSBA leadership team and staff, my family and my law firm – thank you for your support this year.

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150TH ANNIVERSARY 2026 ANNUAL MEETING CONSTANCE BAKER MOTLEY SYMPOSIUM NY RURAL READY PRESIDENTIAL GALA PRESIDENTIAL SUMMIT RULE OF LAW

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