WBASNY Opposes Attorney Registration Fee Increase

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WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK

Media Relations Contact:  ANNE E. JOYNT, ESQ.

Phone:  212-362-4445

Fax: 212-721-1620

E-mail: info@wbasny.org

website: www.wbasny.org

             
WBASNY Opposes Attorney Registration Fee Increase

  
The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”) strongly opposes the Governor’s 2019-2020 budget proposal that includes additional state funding for the Indigent Legal Services Fund (ILSF) to be funded by an increase in the Attorney Registration Fee from $375 to $425.   While WBASNY agrees that ILSF is desperately in need of increased funding, this funding cannot come at the cost of attorneys throughout the state for the following reasons:

  • The proposed increase is not proportionate to, and does not take into account the rate of inflation since the last raise in fees, as the $50 increase constitutes a 9.5% increase in the registration fee, as compared with the .6% increase in lawyers’ salaries as measured by the U.S. Department of Labor.
  • Additionally, women lawyers earned on average $1,566 biweekly as compared to male lawyers, who earned $1,986.  Thus, there would be a disproportionate effect on women lawyers.
  • Additionally, increasing the registration fees for attorneys will also place an unfair burden on those who are new to the profession, work as sole practitioners or in small firms, or work for government or non-profit organizations.
  • Furthermore, no other licensed professionals in New York State are subject to registration renewal fees as large as the amount attorneys must pay.

WBASNY accordingly urges the Governor as well as the Legislature to finance its obligations to ILSF by some other means instead of subjecting New York lawyers to this exorbitant charge.

 

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The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York is the professional membership organization of choice for attorneys, both men and women, throughout the state. Its more than 4,200 members in all legal fields are committed to the association’s mission of the promotion of justice for women in the legal profession and for women, children and families in society, support of the fair administration of justice and to act as a unified voice for its members on issues of statewide, national and international significance to women generally and to women attorneys in particular. WBASNY also holds United Nations NGO status in association with the UN Department of Public Information and Special Consultative status in association with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). For more information about the Association and its services and benefits, please visit www.wbasny.org.
Post Office Box 936 | New York, NY 10024-0546 | T: 212-362-4445 | F: 212-721-1620