Dick Lewis of Binghamton Takes Over NYSBA Presidency
6.1.2023
NYSBA past presidents and honored guests toast the start of Dick Lewis’ presidency: (L-R) Michael E. Getnick (2009-2010); Hon. Elizabeth Garry, Presiding Justice, Third Department; M. Catherine Richardson (1996-1997); Kathryn Grant Madigan (2007-2008); Dick Lewis (2023-2024); Sherry Levin Wallach (2022-2023); T. Andrew Brown (2021-2022); Glen Lau-Kee (2014-2015); David Miranda (2015-2016)
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As the legal profession emerges from the pandemic, Binghamton attorney Richard C. Lewis is launching his ambitious agenda to reshape the New York State Bar Association to better assist lawyers and improve the lives of struggling New Yorkers.Lewis, who has been the association’s president-elect for the past year, officially takes over the top spot today as Brooklyn attorney Domenick Napolitano assumes the role of president-elect. Lewis is the association’s 126th president.
“We need to be vigilant about protecting lawyers from contradictory court rules, ill-advised legislation and overzealous administrative orders,” Lewis said. “Our mission is to allow members to be the best lawyers that they can be while removing all the impediments that stand in their way.”
In his prior capacity at the association, Lewis focused on streamlining the rules that govern attorney conduct and safeguarding the constitutional rights of children and indigent adults. The New York State Bar Association filed suit in November of 2022 to force the state to raise the pay for court-appointed attorneys in the 57 counties outside of New York City. As the lawsuit loomed, these attorneys received their first pay increase in nearly two decades this year.
As an upstate attorney, Lewis has also taken an interest in issues affecting rural attorneys such as lack of access to broadband and a dire attorney shortage. He hopes the pay increase for assigned counsel will attract more attorneys to practice in rural areas.
Lewis takes over the presidency from Sherry Levin Wallach, the deputy executive director of Legal Aid of Westchester County. His one-year term will include several initiatives focused on alleviating poverty such as expanding access to housing and health care, establishing a legal framework for medical aid in dying and addressing a precipitous rise in hate crimes in New York.
Presiding Justice Elizabeth Garry of the Appellate Division, Third Department, will administer the oath of office June 10th in front of the association’s governing body, the House of Delegates, in Cooperstown.
Professional Background
Lewis serves as special counsel at the Binghamton firm of Hinman, Howard & Kattell. His practice focuses on litigation and business law. A native of the southern tier, he feels a kinship with the association’s solo practitioners and small firm lawyers.
In addition to his private practice, Lewis has served in the House of Delegates since 2001. He is a member of the Committee on Professional Discipline, the Nominating Committee and the Local and State Government Law Section.
Lewis is the past president of the Broome County Bar Association and past chair of its Endowment, Ethics and Grievance committees.
Lewis earned his law degree at John Marshal Law School and his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College.
Taa R. Grays of New York will serve her third one-year term as secretary. Susan Harper of Bogota, New Jersey, will serve her first one-year term as treasurer, replacing Napoletano as he takes over as president-elect.
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