The YLD presents two national conferences each year, one in the fall and one in the spring. Three representatives (four if one is a minority or a governmental or small-solo firm attorney) from each YLD affiliate are eligible for up to two days per diem at $100 per day for their attendance at each of these conferences.

Affiliate Conference Scholarships
A limited number of scholarships are available to conference attendees who are representing new affiliates or affiliates that have not sent representatives to a national conference for three or more years. These reimbursements include lowest discounted round-trip airfares, up to $20 ground transportation and up to two days per diem at $100 per day. Affiliates may request consideration for these reimbursements through their District Representatives prior to the fall and spring national conferences or through the 2009-2010 Director of the Affiliate Assistance Team, Jennifer Daugherty.

ABA YLD Scholarship Projects
The ABA YLD seeks to encourage the participation of minority, solo/small firm, government, private sector, and military service attorneys. For several years, up to six scholarships have been awarded to minority young lawyers across the United States. The program has been expanded to provide a limited number of scholarships to solo/small firm, government, private sector, and military service young lawyers. Each scholarship recipient receives funding to the ABA's Midyear Meeting, as well as to both the spring and fall conferences. The scholarship includes lowest discounted round-trip airfare, up to two days per diem at $100 per day, $20 ground transportation and complimentary social event tickets.

Scholarship applications are mailed mid-June and completed applications are accepted through the first week of August. The scholarships are awarded by specific ABA YLD committees with the approval of ABA YLD Officers, Directors and staff. Winners are notified in mid-August.

Scholarship competition is keen. Because the goal of the project is to increase participation of minority, solo/small firm, government, private sector, and military service young lawyers in the activities of the Division, priority will be given to those applicants who express a desire to become involved in the ABA YLD. In addition to receiving scholarship assistance, those young lawyers selected as scholarship recipients will be introduced to the ABA YLD through special programs and mentoring set up by their respective ABA YLD committees.

For more information regarding this project or to be placed on a mailing list to receive an application, please contact Renee Lugo, YLD Program Associate at 312-988-5626 or lugor@staff.abanet.org.