The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA), with 77,000 members, is the largest voluntary bar association in the United States.
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The State Bar was founded with a constitution that dates to 1877. The association's goals are to cultivate the science of jurisprudence; to promote reform in the law; to facilitate the administration of justice, and to elevate the standards of integrity, honor, professional skill, and courtesy in the legal profession.
The New York State Bar has sought legislation to simplify and update court procedures; been instrumental in raising judicial standards; established systems for maintaining the integrity of the profession; advocated providing enhanced, voluntary pro bono legal services to the poor; been in the vanguard of efforts to elevate the standards of practice; and achieved national recognition for its continuing program of public education.
The control and administration of the State Bar is vested in the House of Delegates, the decision and policy-making body of the Association. The House meets four times a year (January, April, June and November). Action taken by the House of Delegates on specific issues becomes official State Bar policy.
The State Bar's current structure includes 25 specialized substantive law sections, and more than 60 standing, special, and other committees.