Recent law school graduates needn’t fret that graduation will force them from the ABA Law School Division into ABA oblivion. The ABA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) provides a smooth transition for new lawyers from the Law Student Division’s professional but educational focus.
Membership in YLD comprises all ABA members under age 36 or admitted to practice for five years or fewer. The old adage of strength in numbers is particularly appropriate to YLD, which boasts approximately 147,000 members, easily making it the ABA’s largest member group. The Division also includes nearly 300 affiliated state and local young lawyers associations.
YLD offers a variety of benefits, including Division publications, The Young Lawyer and The Affiliate, and the E-Library, a one-stop shop for the Division’s content.
Members may also join a committee for free. Committee membership includes a newsletter subscription, access to online resources, and advance notice of Continuing Legal Education programs.
In addition to a wealth of resources, the Division enables new lawyers to get involved with issues confronting the nation’s lawyers. In April, YLD held “Diversity: The Next Generation,” a conference in Washington D.C., that offered attendees a way to exchange ideas on how young lawyers can ensure the profession reflects the country’s ever-changing society.
Contributing to the community is also possible with YLD. The Division selects a project every year for members who want to apply their skills toward public service. This year, the Division partnered with the Wills for Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides free basic estate planning services to emergency first responders.
Members who desire a more proactive role in the YLD can have exactly that by applying for committee assignments and other leadership positions, which may lead to other ABA posts.
For more information on the Young Lawyers Division, visit www.abanet.org/yld. •
Genevieve Suzuki is a third-year student at California Western School of Law.
