The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD) is the home for young lawyers. With over 150,000 members and 300 affiliated groups, the ABA YLD is the largest young lawyer organization in the world.

The Division is committed to assuring it is best able to represent the newest members of the profession, ensuring that it reflects the society it serves, and providing young lawyers with the tools and opportunities for professional and personal success.  The Division also supports the activities of its Fellows, ABA members once active in the Division who have “aged out”.

Individual membership is open to American Bar Association members under 36 years old or admitted to practice for five years or less. Affiliate membership is open to young lawyer organizations and special interest bars. 

2007-2008 Annual Report
75th Anniversary Video

• 2010-2011 ABA YLD Scholarship Program: This program provides partial conference funding and an opportunity to become more involved in the Division. Submit your application by April 15.
• National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award:  Chicago lawyer Justin Heather to be honored at the ABA Midyear Meeting.  
• They Had a Dream Too:  ABA YLD introduces today’s high school students to the role young people played in the Civil Rights Movement.
• 2010-2011 ABA YLD Leadership Appointments:  Your skills, passion, and perspectives are essential to building a vibrant, inclusive, and multicultural corps of volunteer leaders throughout our committees, boards, and teams. Submit your application by February 15, 2010.
• 2010 Levit Essay Contest:  The legal writing contest, only open to law students and young lawyers, encourages innovative and original research and writing on issues in lawyers’ professional liability. The annual competition offers a $5,000 cash prize and an expenses-paid trip to the Spring 2010 National Legal Malpractice Conference. Submit your entry by February 19, 2010.
• ABA YLD Subgrants Program: The program provides funding to young lawyer organizations for activities that benefit local communities, leaders or members. Submit your applications by March 1, 2010.
  
• ABA Women in Law Leadership (WILL) Academy, April 29-30, 2010 in Philadelphia, PA:  Registration is now open.
• ABA Recession Recovery Teleconference Series:  Available as a free download this series consists of four audio programs providing practical tips and strategies for success in today’s career climate. Download the series today.

Program submissions are considered for YLD conferences and teleconferences.