YOUNG LAWYERS SUMMIT HIGHLIGHTS PATHWAYS TO BAR INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP

Young lawyers can build their professional networks, develop leadership skills, and help shape the legal profession by becoming involved in Florida Bar sections, Council of Sections Chair Iris Elijah told attendees at the inaugural Young Lawyers Summit September 17.

Elijah, deputy general counsel for Florida A&M University, joined Young Lawyers Division President Reno Pierre for a discussion about Bar opportunities as part of the summit at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

Drawing on her own experience as a new lawyer, Elijah encouraged attendees to explore the Bar's sections, seek out leadership opportunities, and take advantage of programs designed to support early-career attorneys.

Elijah, a former president of the Young Lawyers Section, said she had never met a lawyer before attending law school. She pursued her dream of becoming an attorney and, after being sworn into The Florida Bar, began wondering how the organization could help her.

A mentor encouraged her to apply to the Wm. Reece Smith, Jr., Leadership Academy, which helps develop leadership skills and introduces participants to opportunities for Bar involvement.

Elijah ultimately joined Class II of the academy, where she learned more about the Bar's sections.

“And I was like, ‘Oh, this is a lot of fun,” she recalled. “You mean there is a group of people who are focused on one topic related to the practice of law and they go across the world, they write legislation, and they are talking about changes in the practice and what we can do to guide that.”

But as a new government lawyer in Miami, Elijah said she initially worried she could not afford to join a section.

She discovered that sections offer scholarships and fellowships for young lawyers, including opportunities to participate in section meetings and activities.

Elijah applied for a Business Law Section fellowship and scholarship, despite not knowing anyone in the section.

“I did not know anyone, absolutely anyone, but I figured, why not try?” she said.

She received the fellowship and scholarship, which covered her attendance at every Business Law Section meeting. The program also assigned her two mentors and required her to complete a project of her choosing.

Through the experience, Elijah said she became familiar with section leaders, including attorneys who later served as Florida Bar presidents.

“I just started to follow them,” she said.

Elijah encouraged young lawyers to take advantage of the support available to them early in their careers.

“As a law student and a young lawyer everybody wants to help you. Everybody,” she said. “It’s probably the last time that many people are going to want to help you for free.”

“So, take advantage of it.”

Pierre asked Elijah whether new lawyers should focus on sections related to their current practice areas.

Elijah recommended that young lawyers explore all 22 of the Bar's sections rather than limiting themselves to areas in which they currently practice.

“Go to every single website of every single section, not just the ones you currently do work in,” she said, noting that the work of different sections often overlaps.

Law students can join the vast majority of sections for free, Elijah said. She encouraged students to visit the sections’ websites, review membership information, and contact section leaders directly.

Young lawyers in their first year of practice also can join up to two sections for free.

“Do it,” Elijah said. “The vast majority of sections are yearning for young lawyers. They want more members.”

More than 33,000 of the Bar's more than 115,000 members belong to one or more sections.

Section membership provides opportunities for specialized continuing legal education, professional networking, and leadership service through section boards, committees, and subcommittees.

Elijah said the path to section leadership varies.

Larger sections may have established leadership tracks in which attorneys progress through committee and board positions. In other sections, lawyers who consistently participate and complete assignments may move into leadership roles more directly.

“I cannot emphasize enough what showing up means,” Elijah said. “Because the vast number of people are not going to show up and the vast majority of people are not going to follow through.”

Consistent participation and follow-through, she said, can open the door to leadership opportunities.

Elijah described her first section assignment as social media chair, a position that other members were reluctant to take because they were uncomfortable with the technology.

“As a young lawyer that is an easy way for you to get involved,” she said.

She also encouraged young lawyers to identify practical skills they can offer since they come to section work with a fresh perspective. Those contributions are a resource for the sections that can lead to leadership responsibilities.

“Again, if you show up and you follow through on anything that is given to you, you are going to do the vast majority of work toward becoming chair,” she said.

Pierre asked how section participation can help lawyers develop professional competency.

Elijah pointed to the role Bar sections often play in helping to develop legislation and serving as resources for lawmakers.

Many sections contribute subject-matter expertise to legislative proposals, she said, and some of that legislation ultimately becomes law.

For Elijah, participating in the legislative process was among the most fulfilling aspects of her career.

For young lawyers, Elijah said, section involvement can provide a way to build relationships, develop skills, and contribute to the profession while establishing a foundation for future leadership.

Legal Disclaimer:

EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.