Statement from New York State Bar Association President Stephen P. Younger

Establishing of a Commission to Review Judicial Salaries

ALBANY, NY (11/30/2010)(readMedia)-- State Bar President Stephen P. Younger of New York (Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler LLP) applauded the New York State Legislature for passing landmark legislation to establish a commission to review and recommend appropriate adjustments to judicial compensation for New York's judges.

"By passing the Governor's program bill the Legislature has clearly demonstrated that it shares the New York State Bar Association's core belief that the quality of justice and of our legal system depends on the quality of our judiciary," said Younger. "An independent, well qualified judiciary must be compensated in a fair, consistent manner that is as free from political interference as possible. The Governor's program bill is an important step toward sound public policy and we thank him for advancing this important proposal."

Younger added, "We urge the Governor and State leaders to move swiftly to implement this legislation, and to take steps to resolve this long-standing problem that has impaired our justice system."

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Founded in 1876, the 77,000-member New York State Bar Association is the official statewide organization of lawyers in New York and the largest voluntary state bar association in the nation. The State Bar's programs and activities have continuously served the public and improved the justice system for more than 130 years. For more information, visit us at our Web site at www.nysba.org.