The Attorney Emeritus Program (AEP) was created a decade ago when many Americans were struggling with legal problems related to the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression and New York was facing a drastic decline in funding for civil legal services. In announcing the AEP, Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman put the spotlight on retired and senior lawyers and challenged them to use their legal skills and experience to help low-income people on a pro bono basis.

What Is the Attorney Emeritus Program?

In return for pledging to provide 60 hours of pro bono legal services under the auspices of an approved host organization, Attorneys Emeriti (if retired) are exempt from the biennial bar registration fee and CLE requirement for the ensuing two-year registration period. The status of Attorney Emeritus was limited originally to retired attorneys at least 55 years-old in good standing who had practiced for a minimum of 10 years, but it quickly expanded by popular demand to include active attorneys meeting the age and practice requirements. While the registration fee and CLE requirement are not waived for non-retired attorneys, they are eligible to earn up to 15 CLE credits.

AEP’s Growth and Impact by the Numbers

This content has been archived. It is available through our partners, LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law.

To view this content, please continue to their sites.

Not a Lexis Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Not a Bloomberg Law Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Why am I seeing this?

LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law are third party online distributors of the broad collection of current and archived versions of ALM's legal news publications. LexisNexis® and Bloomberg Law customers are able to access and use ALM's content, including content from the National Law Journal, The American Lawyer, Legaltech News, The New York Law Journal, and Corporate Counsel, as well as other sources of legal information.

For questions call 1-877-256-2472 or contact us at [email protected]