President-Elect Candidate Statement: Susan L. Harper
9.15.2026
I hereby declare my candidacy to be the next NYSBA President-Elect.
Two decades ago, I watched with great curiosity what the NYSBA and its members accomplish and discovered what I call “the power of us.” I witnessed how our collective voice could alter public policy and the law, expand access to justice, transform lives, and strengthen our profession — and I was hooked.
Since then, I have repeatedly raised my hand to serve the NYSBA: a member of multiple sections, I have worked on legislative issues; chaired committees; served as a section chair, report author, presenter to the House of Delegates (HOD) 6x, task force leader, member of the HOD, Executive Committee, Section Caucus, Governance Committee; ex officio member of the Finance, Investment, Audit Committees; and currently serve as an Officer and Treasurer of the Association – overseeing millions of dollars annually for our 54,000-global member Association.
Along the way, I have had the honor to support the roll out of our successful Membership model, launch the Women in Law Section (now 3000 members strong), advocate with WILS consequential policy, legislative memos, and reports that contributed to the passing of NYS’s Paid Family Leave law, Women’s Equality Act, Equal Rights Amendment, and testified for the NYSBA before the NYS Legislature.
I am running for President-Elect because I believe deeply in the pivotal role the NYSBA can play to enrich attorneys’ lives and impact society. I am committed to increasing membership and non-dues revenue acquisition, elevating our next generation of leaders and expanding access to justice efforts, energizing member-to-member engagement, showcasing and supporting our sections, committees, and members on the move and in transition, continuing past presidents’ initiatives, and convening new task forces to address the legal issues facing our world today.
We are rapidly becoming an AI-powered profession. Through the development of AI watch hub, we will work so that no member is left behind.
I am committed to the Rural Ready program, strengthening technology infrastructure, for more efficient and equitable access to justice, modernizing antiquated systems and laws to address unnecessary burdens and barriers to the practice of law.
Finally, we must remain a strong voice to support our profession, our independent judiciary, judges, their staff and families, and groups being targeted by hate, intimidation, and threats. There will be zero tolerance for hate and threats in my administration.
I have been a lawyer for over 20 years (Wall Street litigation attorney, managing director of a financial services litigation firm, New York Law Journal editor and reporter, international business trader, and solo practitioner) and have been a NYSBA member for nearly as long. I am experienced in running membership organizations. As Chairman, President, and General Counsel of the Financial Women’s Association of New York and the FWA Educational Fund, I successfully led two boards of directors and organizations that resulted in increased membership acquisition by 42% and Education Fund giving by over 54%. I am a proud NYCLA Board member and committed to collaborating with county and affinity bar associations.
Whether you are in N.Y. or beyond, I promise that I will listen to you, stand in support of the fundamental principles of American democracy, the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, access to justice, and your professional success.
I believe in the power of us and our extraordinary NYSBA members and staff who care, lead, and serve clients and communities daily.
Let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work together.
Thank you!