Judicial Salary Commission Bill Becomes Law

Early this morning, the New York State legislature passed a bill establishing a judicial salary commission, paving the way for the first salary increase for judges in the state for over a decade.

Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman told the New York Law Journal, “It is a magnificent day. I think that this is, for us, the Holy Grail.”

New York City Bar had long advocated for such a bill. Today, City Bar President Sam Seymour said in a statement, “The New York City Bar Association commends the New York State Legislature for passing legislation establishing a commission to review and adjust judicial salaries. We also commend Governor Paterson for advancing the proposal, and Chief Judge Lippman and Chief Administrative Judge Pfau for all their efforts towards achieving passage. Our judges have not received a salary increase since 1999. The time has come to recognize the crucial role they play in providing New Yorkers with fair and effective access to justice, particularly as more and more individuals rely on the court system in this time of economic crisis.”