Persons admitted to the bar of the State of New York sometimes seek to resign as attorneys and counselors-at-law. Often a resignation is occasioned by an attorney's move to a different state, his or her cessation of practice in New York, or the voluntary desire to avoid the continued payment of the biennial registration fee required by Judiciary Law § 468-a. Some attorneys, who are retired or no longer practice, may wish to voluntarily resign to avoid the continuing biennial registration obligation.
Please do not confuse non-disciplinary resignation with "retirement," as that term is defined in 22 NYCRR 118.1(g) and discussed further in the registration FAQs.
Non-disciplinary resignations are explained in the joint rules of the Appellate Divisions 22 NYCRR 1240.22.
PLEASE NOTE: A resignation in New York State would prohibit you from practicing law in this State in the future. Should there come a time when you wish to be reinstated in New York, you must make a motion to the Court and meet any other requirements in force at that time.
For further information or instructions if considering voluntary non-disciplinary resignation, please follow the link below to your judicial department of admission:
Appellate Division, 1st Department
Appellate Division, 2nd Department
Appellate Division, 3rd Department
Appellate Division, 4th Department