With generous funding from members, CLE Attendees and Steven Epstein, 2024 President of NYSACDL, NYSACDL has over 70 Membership Scholarships for attorneys newer to criminal practice.*

These scholarships are open ONLY to attorneys who practice criminal defense!

Some of the benefits of membership include:

• Membership in a geographic and culturally diverse prestigious criminal defense organization committed to promoting an inclusive environment in our association, the criminal defense legal community, and the criminal legal system;

• Membership in our Young Lawyers Committee where you can network with your peers;

• NYSACDL's Atticus Magazine, a regular publication that provides in-depth articles on cutting-edge legal issues;

• Special Member Pricing (occasionally free!) on high quality CLE seminars delivered by the most experienced and knowledgeable practitioners in New York;

• Opportunities to meet, consult with and learn from experienced criminal defense lawyers from across the state - from private practice and public defense; from white collar firms to DWI firms, and more;

• Email listserv where you can participate in and follow discussions on important criminal defense topics;

• Access to participate in any of NYSACDL's variety of committees:

• Legislative Committee: Work on important legislative priorities, lobby for or against changes in laws, and meet with legislators on critical issues;

• Amicus Curiae Committee: Assist in writing Amicus briefs in important State and Federal Cases;

• Publications Committee: Participating in producing Atticus through writing, editing, and promotion; 

• CLE Committee: Assisting in presenting CLE seminars of interest to you and your peers;

• Annual Dinner Committee: Help plan for our annual signature event - the NYSACDL Foundation Annual Dinner & Awards Ceremony 

And Many More! 
For a full list of our committees, check us out here!

We are BETTER TOGETHER!

If you would like to apply for one of over 70 scholarships to join NYSACDL for one year, please use the form below to answer the following questions:

• Why are you drawn to criminal defense?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• What is it about NYSACDL that interests you?
• How will you contribute to our organization?

Interested in donating a scholarship to help more potential members?
Click Here!

* Scholarships reserved for attorneys who have not previously been NYSACDL members, with the exception of joining only as a Law Student member.

New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NYSACDL) is a statewide organization of criminal defense attorneys, representing over 1,400 private attorneys and public defenders who practice in courthouses in all parts of New York State. We are the New York affiliate of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a professional bar association founded in 1958 that has over 40,000 members nationally. Financial aid for CLEs is available for those who are eligible. 

*Membership Good until 12/31/2024.

Scholarship Application Form