Home Professional Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, New York Senate Finally Passes Legislation Eliminating New York Physical Office Requirement For Attorneys

Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, New York Senate Finally Passes Legislation Eliminating New York Physical Office Requirement For Attorneys

By
Charles Yuen
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Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, New York Senate Finally Passes Legislation Eliminating New York Physical Office Requirement For Attorneys
As symbolized by the statute of liberty, the U.S. welcomed immigrants. New York is in the process of loosening discrimination against its' admitted but out-of-state resident attorneys.

Reuters and other news outlets have reported that a bill to eliminate section 470 of the New York Judiciary Law passed the Senate. (https://www.reuters.com/business/legal/ny-senate-oks-bill-let-lawyers-practice-without-in-state-office-2021-05-12/) The New York Court of Appeals has interpreted section 470 to require that nonresident attorneys practicing in New York maintain a bona fide physical office in New York.

The law being repealed was passed in 1909 and has come under scrutiny for various reasons, including that businesses including law firms have been practicing remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bill advances to the Assembly. If the bill becomes law, law firms may be able to use in-state physical mail processing businesses for an in-state address without the need for a law office.