Attorney Registration:
Failure to Comply with Biennial Requirements

Judiciary Law § 468-a requires that every attorney admitted to practice in the State of New York register biennially and, if applicable, pay a registration fee to the Chief Administrator of the Courts. Pursuant to Section 468-a, attorneys who are in default of this biennial obligation are subject to Appellate Division disciplinary action.

The Office of Court Administration has forwarded to the Attorney Grievance Committee of the First Judicial Department a list of approximately 1,095 attorneys who were admitted or work in the First Department and who have failed to respond to multiple notifications that they are in default of their obligation to comply with the registration and, applicable fee requirements. Attorneys who do not cure the default by December 4, 2024 will be named as respondents in an omnibus disciplinary proceeding seeking their immediate suspension from the practice of law sine dine.

The notice of petition seeking suspension, including the name and last known address of the attorneys in default, will be published in the New York Law Journal prior to the return date of the petition. The names and addresses will also be posted on the Law Journal’s website and on the Appellate Division, First Department’s website. Attorneys named in the petition must respond by submitting to the Court an affidavit that includes proof of compliance with the statute.

Attorneys who do not submit satisfactory proof of registration and payment of all applicable outstanding fees within thirty (30) days of the notice will be suspended by order of the Appellate Division. Once suspended from practice, an attorney may apply for reinstatement pursuant to the Court’s reinstatement procedure.

Attorneys can check their attorney registration status at: Attorney Online Services.