New York attorney record · Judicial Dept 1
John Michael Townsend
Yale alumna, admitted to the New York bar in 1972, registered office in Washington, DC. Status, address, and registration history come straight from the NY Office of Court Administration registry.
- 1972
- Admitted
- 54
- Years in bar
- 1540418
- NY reg #
The record in one line
John Michael Townsend has held an active New York bar license for 54 years — admitted in 1972, longer-tenured than 96% of the state's currently-active attorneys.
- 54 yrs
- in active practice since admission
- Active
- current bar status: "Currently registered"
- Top 4%
- by tenure among active NY attorneys
- Law school
- Yale
New York has 429,620 registered attorneys, of which 284,296 are currently active.
What this profile tells you
Bar status & tenure
John Michael Townsend is registered as bar number 1540418 with the New York bar authority, carrying a current status of "Currently registered", which indicates the attorney is currently authorized to practice law and is in good standing for registration purposes. The attorney was admitted to the bar in 1972, representing roughly 54 years since admission — a useful signal when weighing depth of practical experience against fee expectations. Registration is recorded within Judicial Department 1, the appellate division overseeing this attorney's home district.
Practice context & education
Practice address is listed under HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP, located in Washington, DC, ZIP 20006. Public records list 5 other attorneys with the same firm affiliation in this registry — firm size and colleague credentials are relevant when judging the scope and specialty mix of a practice. Educational background: YALE — which has 2,592 registered alumni in this dataset, one of the admissions credentials used by the bar to verify qualification for licensure.
State context & due diligence
For benchmarking context, New York has 429,620 registered attorneys statewide, of which 284,296 (66.2%) are actively registered — this attorney's "Currently registered" status places them within the active cohort. Bar registration status alone does not confirm competence, specialty, or fit for a specific legal matter — it confirms only that the attorney has met the bar's registration requirements as of the last reporting cycle. Before engaging any attorney, verify their current standing directly with the state bar, review any discipline history through official channels, confirm fee structure in writing, and ask about specific experience handling matters similar to yours. Public profiles like this one are a starting point for due diligence, not a substitute for it.
Experience vs. the active New York bar
John Michael Townsend was admitted in 1972, giving 54 years on the New York register. The histogram places that tenure against every currently-active attorney in the state — taller bars hold more attorneys at that experience level.
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
Professional Details
- Status
- Currently registered
- Registration Number
- 1540418
- Year Admitted
- 1972 (54 yrs · veteran)
- Judicial Department
- 1
- Next Registration
- Mar 2028
Location & Contact
- Company
- HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP
- City
- Washington, DC
- ZIP Code
- 20006
- Phone
- (202) 721-4640
Education
Status Distribution Across the New York Bar
Bar status reference for the 429,620 attorneys registered in this jurisdiction. John Michael Townsend's current status is "Currently registered".
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 HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP
Verify This Attorney
Always verify attorney credentials through official state bar records before making legal decisions.
Verify on NY Courts Attorney SearchSource: New York State Unified Court System — Attorney Registration Search
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Compare attorneys →Frequently Asked Questions
Where is John Townsend licensed?
John Townsend is licensed in New York. Their current bar status is "Currently registered".
When was John Michael Townsend admitted to the bar?
John Michael Townsend was admitted to the bar in 1972.
Where did John Michael Townsend go to law school?
John Michael Townsend attended YALE.
What company does John Michael Townsend work for?
John Michael Townsend is associated with HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP in Washington, DC.
Is John Michael Townsend in good standing?
Yes, John Michael Townsend has a current registration status of "Currently registered", indicating active standing with the bar.
Disclaimer: This information is sourced from public state bar records provided by the New York Office of Court Administration. PlainAttorney does not provide legal advice, referrals, or endorsements. Use this data for informational purposes only. Always verify attorney credentials directly with the NY Courts Attorney Search before making legal decisions.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.