Q&A on Second Season of Service initiative

Karen J. Mathis

YourABA spoke to Karen J. Mathis, ABA President, about her presidential initiative for Baby Boomer lawyers who are making or considering the transition from full-time law practice to other pursuits.

Q: What was the impetus or rationale behind the Second Season of Service initiative?

A May 2006 survey by the ABA asked its members what they would like the ABA to do more of. Almost half of those responding wanted us to address trends and issues facing the profession. Second Season will do that.

Of our nation's 1.1 million lawyers, 400,000 practicing lawyers are in the Baby Boomer generation. Many will be retiring over the next 10 to 15 years. Their talents are awesome. Are we going to let those people just go play golf or knit or rock, or are we going to use their energy and talents? I think the latter.

For my generation, the call to service came early with John F. Kennedy's inaugural address, "Ask not. . . ." The Second Season initiative seeks to help facilitate lawyers answering that call.

Q: What do you hope to accomplish?

Under the Second Season initiative, the ABA will provide information, leadership and guidance to help the profession cope with the challenges faced when Baby Boomer lawyers retire—that is, when they leave the bench, reduce hours in their practice, or step down from their teaching roles.  It serves to benefit both the lawyers who are transitioning out of full-time work and those who remain behind—the younger lawyers who need guidance.

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Q: What unique niche can retiring lawyers fill?

Lawyers are protectors of our legal system, and serving the public good has always been an integral part of our profession.  The scope of what lawyers do is varied and far-reaching. We have a unique perspective because we tend to see people from all walks of life through our practices, we can make or change laws, and we understand the delicate balance between fundamental principles and the possibility of change.

Q: If lawyers are interested, what should they do?  What information exists to help them?

First, I want to stress that this initiative is really broad-based: it's not just for lawyers who are cutting ties and retiring — it's also for those who may want to reduce their hours to have more time for service and more time for their families. It's also not only for lawyers who are leaving large firms. Second Season of Service includes solos and other lawyers who may want to cut back their practices and work for non-profits, for example. So the purpose of the initiative is to address many different types of concerns and situations.

Q: Are the opportunities focused on pro bono work or are there other things lawyers can do in their second season?

Pro bono work is just one aspect of the initiative. The Second Season of Service Commission consists of three subcommittees. One of these is the Subcommittee on Public Service and Pro Bono. Its main focus is to help develop means for lawyers who wish to put their talents and efforts towards non-remunerative activities.

The Subcommittee on Member Benefits and Services will assist "second season" ABA members by providing products and services to help them transition out of active practice.  This subcommittee will assess transitioning lawyers' future needs and goals and compile information about existing services available to help them, as well as developing new products for such lawyers.

Finally, the Subcommittee on Technology will develop information tools that communicate about available resources to lawyers.

As I've already mentioned, some lawyers may want to segue into second careers, such as working for a non-profit and that the Second Season Web site features resource materials and information on how to do that.

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Q: What do you see as the benefits of a second season of service—to the lawyer and to society?

Baby Boomers have seen an immense amount of change during their careers. They have reshaped every social institution they have touched, and retirement will be no exception.

Every man, woman and child in America averages 50 hours of volunteer service a year; lawyers average 79 hours. If you take the number of 40,000 lawyers annually moving to active retirement and multiply that by a conservative 50 hours, you have two million hours a year for good causes. And so the Second Season of Service Commission is gathering information and resources on how to harness those hours and that expertise by connecting lawyers with volunteer opportunities, developing a bank of organizations that need volunteers and assisting lawyers who are making the transition to effectively utilize their talents.

Lawyers will benefit society through providing pro bono assistance to needy clients; transitioning lawyers will provide mentoring to young lawyers; and, for the retiring lawyers themselves, the initiative will connect them to opportunity for growth and satisfaction.

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Q: Is there a way to connect lawyers who are going through the transition, so that they can learn from others or offer suggestions from their own experiences?

Absolutely. One aspect of the initiative that I'm very excited about is its series of discussion boards. Only several weeks into it, the opportunity to communicate with others through such discussion boards has proved to be popular and, I believe, very helpful.

Through the discussion boards, lawyers may let others know about pro bono opportunities available, or let others know that they're looking for a certain type of opportunity. Lawyers may ask and answer questions about insurance, or offer tips of their own on transitioning.

Q: How do you see the initiative developing in the coming months?

The ABA has in place the infrastructure and systems to continue this initiative for years to come. We are focused on continuing to provide service to lawyers who will be retiring in the next 10 years and beyond.

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