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American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division - Election Information

  Home  ‹   Elections

Election Notice

The ABA Young Lawyers Division will elect its 2010-2011 officers and other representatives at the ABA Annual Meeting on August 7, 2010 in San Francisco, CA. The officers and representatives being elected include the Chair-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Speaker, Clerk, two delegates to the ABA House of Delegates, and the Division’s nominee for the young-lawyer member-at-large position on the ABA Board of Governors. The deadline for candidacy by written notice to the Secretary-Treasurer, with a copy to the Speaker, and Staff Director is the Assembly’s adjournment at the ABA Midyear meeting on February 6, 2010 in Orlando, FL. For more information, please contact the Secretary-Treasurer, Michael G. Bergmann at mbergmann@pili-law.org or 312-832-5129.

The Election Process

The ABA Young Lawyers Division elects its officers and other representatives at the ABA Annual Meeting. Eligible individuals must submit their candidacy by written notice to the Secretary-Treasurer, with a copy to the Speaker, and Staff Director by the Assembly’s adjournment at the ABA Midyear Meeting. The written notice must specify a single position sought. There is no special form. It is suggested that it simply identify the candidate (by name, address, and telephone number) and say, "Please accept this letter as my written notice of candidacy for [title]."

Resources

» Division Bylaws
» Division Election Guidelines
» Frequently Asked Questions
  » What are the available positions?
  » Am I eligible?
  » Am I a member of the Division?
  » What are the rules?
  » What experience do I need?
  » How do I file?
  » What other opportunities are available?
  » Who do I contact with questions?
What are the available positions?

The YLD Assembly elects four officers (Chair-Elect, Secretary-Treasurer, Speaker, and Clerk), seven constitutional representatives (four delegates to the ABA House of Delegates, one representative to the ABA Nominating Committee and two young-lawyer members-at-large representative to the ABA Board of Governors):

Position Title Term Next Vote Incumbent
Officer Chair-Elect One year, then one year as Chair 2010 David B. Wolfe
Officer Secretary-Treasurer One year 2010 Michael G. Bergmann
Officer Speaker One year 2010 Ethan Tidmore
Officer Clerk One year 2010 Carlos Escurel
Constitutional Representative ABA Board of Governors (2) Three years, after year as nominee 2011 Jonathan W. Wolfe
2012 Kendyl Hanks
Other ABA Board of Governors Nominee (1) One year, then three years on the Board 2010 n/a
Constitutional Representative ABA Nominating Committee Three years 2011 Ryan C. Reed
Constitutional Representative ABA House of Delegates (4) Three years 2010 Jay Ray
2010 Daniel Van Horn
2011 Justin Goldstein
2012 Elizabeth Acee

Am I eligible?

No person is eligible for candidacy unless he or she (1) has been a member of the Division since the preceding annual meeting; (2) registered for and attended the preceding annual or midyear meeting or at least one national conference since the preceding annual meeting; and (3) attends the election, unless excused.
  • Officers. No person is eligible as an officer unless he or she can and does continue as a Division member throughout his or her term (including, in the case of the Chair-Elect, the ensuing term of the Chair).
  • Constitutional Representatives. No person shall be eligible as a constitutional representative unless he or she is a Division member when his or her term begins, or otherwise satisfies the constitutional qualifications. For the ABA Board of Governors, the term does not begin until the annual meeting after the Division "elects" its nominee.
Am I a member of the Division?

Membership is open to American Bar Association members under 36 years old or admitted to practice for five years or less.

What are the rules?

The Division Bylaws govern elections; the provisions that relate to the eligibility for office, candidacy, and elections appear in articles VI-VIII. The Division has also adopted election guidelines.

What experience do I need?

The candidates for the "entry-level" positions—Secretary-Treasurer, Assembly Clerk, ABA Board, ABA Nominating Committee, and Delegates to the ABA House of Delegates—have typically held one or more nationally elected positions or several senior appointments at the national level, before seeking election. However, these customs are merely customs, not rules, and any eligible person can run for any available position.

Some of the positions customarily follow certain "tracks" within the YLD leadership:
  • The Chair is customarily elected to the ABA House of Delegates.
  • The Secretary-Treasurer customarily succeeds the Chair-Elect.
  • The Clerk customarily succeeds the Speaker.
How do I file?

Eligible individuals must submit their candidacy by written notice to the Secretary-Treasurer, with a copy to the Speaker, and Staff Director by the Assembly’s adjournment at the ABA Midyear Meeting. The written notice must specify a single position sought. There is no special form. It is suggested that it simply identify the candidate (by name, address, and telephone number) and say, "Please accept this letter as my written notice of candidacy for [title]."

What other opportunities are available?

In addition to elected positions there are many other ways of getting involved in the Division:
  • Appointments: There are literally hundreds of appointments at the national level, ranging from committee membership (flexible time commitment) to committee planning boards (a few hours monthly) to directors (significant time commitment).
  • Committees: Membership is free for YLD members and offers the opportunity to exchange ideas and gain insight from other lawyers who share your interests and expertise. It also allows you to receive timely information on developments in your practice area. YLD members can join a committee at any time.
  • Affiliates. The Division consists of more than three hundred affiliated state, local and specialty young lawyer bar organizations, each of which also affords opportunities for young-lawyer leadership at the state or local level. Many (probably most) YLD leaders come from the ranks of affiliate leaders.
Who do I contact with questions?

Contact the Secretary-Treasurer, Speaker, or Staff Director.

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