New York attorney record · Judicial Dept 1
James A. Kiernan
Harvard Law School alumna, admitted to the New York bar in 1972, registered office in Washington, DC. A half-lifetime's worth of status, address, and registration history on this record come straight from the NY Office of Court Administration.
- 1972
- Admitted
- 54
- Years in bar
- 1099464
- NY reg #
The record in one line
James A. Kiernan has spent 54 years on the register since admission in 1972, one of the longest-standing active practitioners the state bar carries at 96% tenure percentile.
- 54 yrs
- in active practice since admission
- Active
- current bar status: "Currently registered"
- Top 4%
- by tenure among active NY attorneys
- Law school
- Harvard Law School
Data updated May 2026
What this profile tells you
Bar status & tenure
James A. Kiernan has carried New York bar registration 1099464 for the better part of a career, still active and in good standing. Registration is recorded within Judicial Department 1, the appellate division overseeing this attorney's home district.
Practice context & education
Practice address is listed under Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, located in Washington, DC, ZIP 20004. 5 other attorneys share this firm affiliation in the registry. Educational background: HARVARD LAW SCHOOL (16,595 registered alumni).
State context & due diligence
Across a career spanning 54 years, James A. Kiernan has remained part of the New York bar's active cohort, a share of the register detailed further below.
Experience vs. the active New York bar
James A. Kiernan's 54 years since a 1972 admission places this record near the far edge of the statewide tenure curve below.
54 years on the New York bar
Years since admission, all currently-active NY attorneys
54 Top 4% higher than 96% of 284,296 active NY attorneys
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more active NY attorneys. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source NY Office of Court Administration, Attorney Registration · May 2026
How James compares to fellow Harvard Law School alumni
Among the 3,437 Harvard Law School graduates in the New York register, James A. Kiernan is longer-tenured than 99% - a school-cohort view of experience, alongside the statewide one above.
54 years vs. Harvard Law School alumni
Years since admission - 3,437 NY-registered alumni of this school
54 Top 1% higher than 99% of 3,437 fellow alumni
Each bar is a band; taller bars hold more fellow alumni. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source NY Office of Court Administration, Attorney Registration · May 2026
Harvard Law School's active-bar rate
Of Harvard Law School's 16,595 alumni in the New York register, 73.6% currently hold "Currently registered" status, above the statewide average.
Harvard Law School alumni, active-bar rate
The 1972 admission class today
Of the 1,983 attorneys admitted to the New York bar in 1972, 41.8% are still "Currently registered" today, below the statewide average across all admission years.
Professional Details
- Status
- Currently registered
- Registration Number
- 1099464
- Year Admitted
- 1972 (54 yrs · veteran)
- Judicial Department
- 1
- Next Registration
- Oct 2026
Location & Contact
- Company
- Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
- City
- Washington, DC
- ZIP Code
- 20004
- Phone
- (202) 383-8000
Education
Status Distribution Across the New York Bar
James A. Kiernan's current status, "Currently registered", places this attorney in the 66.2% of the 429,620-attorney New York register currently marked active.
Full statewide breakdown & source note
Source: NY Office of Court Administration, Attorney Registrations. Status counts reflect the latest reporting cycle. Bar status confirms registration only; it does not imply competence, specialty fit, or freedom from complaints.
Other Attorneys at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP
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Compare attorneys →Before you rely on this record
James A. Kiernan's "Currently registered" listing confirms bar standing only, it is a registration fact to verify, not a verdict on quality or competence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is James Kiernan licensed?
James Kiernan is licensed to practice law in New York.
When was James A. Kiernan admitted to the bar?
James A. Kiernan's admission to the New York bar dates back to 1972.
Where did James A. Kiernan go to law school?
James A. Kiernan attended HARVARD LAW SCHOOL.
What company does James A. Kiernan work for?
James A. Kiernan is associated with Debevoise & Plimpton LLP in Washington, DC.
Is James A. Kiernan in good standing?
Yes, James A. Kiernan holds active bar status ("Currently registered").
Sourced from the NY Office of Court Administration, informational only, not legal advice. Full disclosure.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.