Utah Bar Journal

by Katherine A. Conyers

All members in the Utah State Bar in good standing and (1) under thirty-six years of age or (2) who have been admitted to their first state bar for less than five years, regardless of age, are automatically members of YLD. There is no need to sign up or pay dues to be a member. So why should you participate in the Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar (YLD), when you already have so much going on? Unquestionably, you are busy with work – perhaps concerned with billable hours at a large firm or building your solo practice – and you also have family, friends, and other meaningful things in your life.

First, YLD gives members an opportunity to use their law degrees as most hoped to do after law school – to help people. YLD members volunteer with well-established projects like Tuesday Night Bar, Wills For Heroes, and Serving Our Seniors, as well as new programs like Help R.I.S.E. In this new program – rolling out this fall – volunteer attorneys will provide pro bono representation in bankruptcy, custody and/or child support, and landlord/tenant matters to individuals in the federal court’s mental health and drug courts who have been selected to participate in the court’s Re-entry Independence through Sustainable Efforts (R.I.S.E.) program.

Second, YLD gives members access to free, quality CLEs, specifically through its Practice in a Flash program. Practice in a Flash is designed to help young lawyers by providing resources that make the process of opening and operating a solo or small practice easier and safer. The program will provide a website with tools and information about how to avoid malpractice complaints, comply with ethical rules, as well as suggest marketing strategies to help young lawyers succeed. The program also has a CLE series focused on the basic fundamentals of various practice areas.

YLD also offers members valuable networking opportunities. Almost every month, YLD hosts networking events where members have the opportunity to meet each other and build meaningful relationships. The favorite of these events is the annual Speed Networking Event held in late spring. At this event, young lawyers have the opportunity to meet judges and other more experienced Bar members in a fun, relaxed environment, allowing for meaningful connections and conversations to occur, and providing a place where young lawyers can seek advice in advancing their careers.

If that isn’t enough, YLD provides members with numerous opportunities for community service. One program added last year – the Choose Law project – is a public education program that seeks to improve the civics education taught to Utah high school students by teaching them about the important role that law and lawyers play in society and the diverse careers that a law degree can provide. Volunteer attorneys also encourage students to complete and continue their education regardless of socio-economic and other barriers.

Last, but not least, YLD provides members opportunities to have fun, gain leadership skills, and get even more involved with the legal community through its Board, committees, and liaison positions. Over fifty young lawyers dedicate time and effort to make YLD successful, and each one deserves special recognition. Since there is not enough space in this journal to do them that sort of justice, these individuals and their positions are listed below. Please find these individuals and thank them for what they do for YLD. Without their hard work, YLD couldn’t do all of the things it does for its members.

This article has only given a brief overview of what YLD does and some of the programs it offers. For more information about YLD events and programs and for a calendar of events, visit its website at www.utahyounglawyers.org. Hopefully, though, this article was enough for you to determine that there are many answers to the main question posed and that all of them involve you becoming an overall better lawyer.