FAQs for Prospective Members

Is admission to practice in New York State a requirement of membership?

No – we have an international membership. Any attorney in good standing admitted to any jurisdiction anywhere in the world is eligible to join.

How is my membership classification determined?

Membership classification is based on the following criteria:

• your earliest date of admission in any state or country
• the location of the office where you work (if not working, the home address is used)
• certain other criteria listed on the dues schedule

Where can I see a schedule of admission fees & dues?

http://www.nycbar.org/images/stories/pdfs/membership/membership%20dues.pdf

I just graduated from law school – which category applies to me?

Our category of Recent Law Graduate applies if you have graduated law school within the last 2 years and have not yet been admitted to practice in any state or country. You must also certify that it is your intention to be admitted to the practice of law within 2 years from your graduation. Recent Law Graduate membership lapses if the member has not been admitted to practice by two years from her or his graduation date. Once the Recent Law Graduate has been admitted, the member becomes eligible for membership under another appropriate classification.

May I join if I have been disbarred?

No – we cannot extend membership to any disbarred attorney unless that attorney has been re-admitted to practice.

If I join, how often will I be billed?

Our Judicial, Resident, Suburban, Sustaining and Recent Law Graduate members are all billed semi-annually on May 1st and November 1st of each year. Our Nonresident members are billed annually on May 1. Law Student memberships run the academic year from September 1 – August 30. Law Student membership for 3Ls ends June 30.

All members are mailed renewal statements approximately 1 month before the first day of the upcoming billing period. Dues are considered “payable” on the first day of any billing period (May 1 and November 1). Members are also notified via email about upcoming dues, and may choose to pay dues online, if they wish. 

If I join mid-dues period, will my dues be pro-rated?

The dues payment is not changed, but applicants who join mid-dues period will have a credit of half their dues payment applied to the subsequent dues period.

I would like to join, but I am retired from the practice of law. May I join? Which category applies to me?

We have no special categories that apply to retired applicants. Your membership will be determined by the location of your office if working, or your home if no longer working, and the year you were first admitted to the practice of law in any state or country.

May I apply for a committee if I am not a member?

You may apply, but if selected, you must join the New York City Bar, as committee service is a benefit of membership.

FOR MORE ANSWERS TO YOUR COMMITTEE-RELATED QUESTIONS, PLEASE VISIT THE COMMITTEE “FAQ” PAGE

I’m ready to join online! Where do I go?

You may join online from this link:
https://services.nycbar.org/Members/CreateAccount

I  prefer to mail in a paper application and/or pay with a check

You may print out a paper application from this link:
http://www.nycbar.org/images/stories/pdfs/membership/membership%20appilcation.pdf

I have a question that does not appear here!

Then call our Membership Office at 212-382-6665 or email us at membership@nycbar.org and we will be happy to assist you.