Executive Law 833 creates the 9-member Indigent Legal Services Board, and specifies the Board's composition and duties. Board members must be appointed by the governor as follows:

1. one shall be the chief judge of the court of appeals, who shall be the chair of the board;
2. one shall be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the temporary president of the senate;
3. one shall be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the speaker of the assembly;
4. one shall be appointed by the governor from a list of at least three attorney nominees submitted by the New York state bar association;
5. two shall be appointed by the governor from a list of at least four nominees submitted by the New York state association of counties;
6. one shall be appointed by the governor and shall be an attorney who has provided public defense services for at least five years;
7. one attorney who shall be appointed by the governor; and
8. one shall be appointed by the governor, from a list of no more than two nominees submitted by the chief administrator of the courts, each of whom shall be a judge or justice, or retired judge or justice, who was elected to the supreme, county or family court, or appointed to the criminal court or family court in the city of New York, and has substantial experience presiding as such a judge or justice in trial matters before such court.

The statute excludes from the Board active prosecutors, law enforcement officials, and anyone providing services to, or employed by, prosecutors and law enforcement officials. Member terms are generally for three years, except that three members will initially serve two-year terms.

Board Members

Janet DiFiore, Chairman
Chief Judge, NY Court of Appeals

Michael G. Breslin
Former Albany County Executive

Carmen Ciparick
Greenberg, Traurig LLP
Former Senior Associate Judge of the New York State Court of Appeals

Sheila DiTullio
Judge of the Erie County Court, Buffalo

Vincent E. Doyle III
Partner, Connors LLP, Buffalo

John R. Dunne
Senior Counsel at Whiteman, Osterman & Hanna, LLP, Albany
Member, Kaye Commission (2004 - 2006)

Joseph C. Mareane
Former Tompkins County Administrator

Suzette M. Melendez
Assistant Professor and Director of Children's Rights and Family Law Clinic
Syracuse University College of Law

Leonard Noisette
Program Director: Criminal Justice Fund, Open Society Foundations, US Programs
Executive Director, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem (1995 - 2008)

Meeting Documents

Documents from the quarterly Board meetings, including agendas, minutes and attachments, are provided below:

December 4, 2020
Video of Board Meeting December 4, 2020
September 25, 2020
Video of Board Meeting September 25, 2020
June 5, 2020
Video of Board Meeting June 5, 2020
April 24, 2020
Video of Board Meeting April 24, 2020, Joined in Progress
December 6, 2019
September 20, 2019
June 14, 2019
April 4, 2019
November 30, 2018
September 28, 2018
June 1, 2018
April 13, 2018
November 3, 2017
September 22, 2017
June 9, 2017
April 21, 2017
December 9, 2016
September 23, 2016
June 17, 2016
April 22, 2016
November 6, 2015
September 25, 2015
June 19, 2015
April 10, 2015
November 7, 2014
September 26, 2014
June 13, 2014
March 14, 2014
November 22, 2013
September 27, 2013
June 7, 2013
March 5, 2013
September 28, 2012
June 8, 2012
March 14, 2012
November 9, 2011
September 27, 2011
June 7, 2011
March 10, 2011

Annual Reports

Sixth Annual Report (Covering Fiscal Year 2016-2017)
Fifth Annual Report (Covering Fiscal Year 2015-2016)
Fourth Annual Report (Covering Fiscal Year 2014-2015)
Third Annual Report (Covering Fiscal Year 2013-2014)
Second Annual Report (Covering Fiscal Year 2012-2013)
First Annual Report (Covering Fiscal Year 2011-2012)