The New York Bar Foundation

08/27/2026

We hope you can join us! https://us.givergy.com/TNYBFFallevent/?controller=home to register and for more information New York State Bar Association

08/19/2026

07/16/2026

Thanks to the generosity of donors and the longstanding partnerships between the Foundation and NYSBA Sections, aspiring attorneys receive critical financial support that helps turn their goals into reality.

These scholarships do more than ease the cost of legal education. They empower dedicated individuals to pursue their passion for the law, serve their communities, and, in many cases, embark on transformative new career paths.

Congratulations to Kristen Orr, a student at University at Buffalo School of Law, on receiving the NYSBA Elder Law and Special Needs Section T. David Stapleton Memorial Scholarship.

Kristen shared, “I am so honored to have been chosen as the recipient of the T. David Stapleton Memorial Scholarship, and I am grateful for the opportunities this scholarship will provide for me. After nearly a decade of assisting older clients as a legal assistant and paralegal, I ultimately decided to pursue a law degree so that I could continue to help older adults in my community. I left my job at the beginning of my 1L year, after nearly a decade of working full-time, to focus on my education. As a result, I am funding my law school journey entirely with student loans and scholarships. Receiving this award has greatly alleviated some of my financial concerns, and it will allow me to continue prioritizing on my education.”

07/13/2026

"Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential to sustained excellence in the practice of law, particularly in a profession that often demands long hours and significant resilience," said Foundation President Hon. Cheryl E. Chambers. "The Foundation is pleased to support NYSBA's Attorney Well-Being Program through our grantmaking, recognizing that the wellness of attorneys strengthens both the profession and the communities they serve."

There's a myth in the legal profession that success and personal well-being are a trade-off and that to build a thriving practice you have to sacrifice everything else. Attorney Jennifer Gillman knows this tension firsthand. Before building her own legal recruiting and strategy business, she was an....

07/01/2026

Mark your calendar.

The New York Bar Foundation will host The Promise of Justice, a cocktail reception bringing together leaders, supporters, and friends committed to advancing justice across New York.

Monday, November 30, 2026
6:00 PM
Fordham University School of Law
150 West 62nd Street, New York, NY 10023

Formal invitation to follow. Sponsorship inquiries may be directed to Jamie Gerrish at [email protected] New York State Bar Association

07/01/2026

The Foundation invests in future lawyers by offering scholarships across diverse practice areas—including support for students committed to serving rural communities.

Congratulations Jacob Pope, recipient of the Norman P. Effman scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to a NYS law student who expresses an interest and intent to work in a rural locale representing indigent individuals who are litigants in Family court, criminal court, or other courts where the individual may be facing civil legal issues.

Pope, a law student at University at Buffalo School of Law, shared, "I am very grateful to receive the Norman P. Effman Scholarship. This scholarship will help reduce the financial burden of my final year of school, allowing me to focus on the bar exam and my ultimate goal of expanding access to justice in rural New York. Growing up in rural Alexander, New York, I witnessed firsthand how limited opportunities and essential services can be, making it clear how important dedicated legal advocates are in these areas. Receiving a scholarship that invests in students committed to serving rural communities means the world to me."

Visit www.tnybf.org for more information regarding The New York Bar Foundation. New York State Bar Association Law Students New York State Bar Association

06/29/2026

The New York Bar Foundation President, Hon. Cheryl E. Chambers, delivered the Foundation's update at the New York State Bar Association House of Delegates on June 27.

Guided by this year's theme — "The Promise of Justice Requires Us" — President Chambers highlighted a simple truth: the rule of law cannot be sustained by principle alone. It depends on strong institutions, lawyers committed to service, and meaningful access to justice.

Her remarks celebrated the tenth anniversary of the Catalyst Public Interest Fellowship, which has supported 511 law students; the Foundation's Leadership Laureate reception in Rochester, honoring distinguished leaders and grantees across Western New York; and the Annual Meeting of the Fellows, featuring Presiding Justice Elizabeth A. Garry as distinguished speaker.

As President Chambers reminded the House: the promise of justice requires us — and together, we are answering the call.

New York State Bar Association Cheryl Chambers