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What
We Do
The purpose of the Young
Lawyers Section is to provide young lawyers with education, social
activities, networking opportunities, opportunities to do community
service, and representation in the Maryland State Bar and American
Bar Associations.
In addition to providing
such opportunities for young lawyers, it is the goal of the Section
to increase diversity within the entire Bar and to provide leadership
opportunities to members who may not otherwise have access to such
opportunities. The Section strives to provide new and innovative
programs that will benefit young lawyers in Maryland and the District
of Columbia personally and professionally. We try to assist
new lawyers make the transition between law school and the practice
of law.
The
Committees of the Young Lawyers Section
One of the most important
ways that a young lawyer can get involved in the Young Lawyers
Section is through its many committees. Through the Section’s
committees, opportunities for leadership are many and limited only
by the imaginations of our members.
The
Activities Committee
The Activities Committee
is responsible for the planning and preparation of the programs
of all Section meetings as well as social functions and events
of the Section. The Committee is responsible for organizing
the Section’s biggest event, the annual “Novemberfest” fundraiser,
which has raised thousands of dollars for charitable organizations
over the past two decades.
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Other events the Activities
Committee has sponsored include an annual trip to Camden Yards
for an Orioles game, a Day at the Races at Laurel Park, and
a trip to a Bowie Baysox game. The Activities Committee
is always looking for volunteers and new ideas. |
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The
Disaster Relief Committee
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The Disaster Relief
Committee, in conjunction with the American Bar Association
Young Lawyers Division and the Office of Disaster Assistance
Programs of the Federal Emergency Management Agency works
to develop a disaster relief plan for providing a network
of volunteer attorneys to provide free legal services to
victims of federally declared disasters in the State of Maryland.
The Committee has
developed a Disaster Relief Volunteer Attorney Network. Volunteer
attorneys on the Network assist disaster victims with their
legal questions in the event of a major disaster in Maryland. Attorneys
can provide “intake services” in which they speak
with disaster victims to identify their legal needs and provide
general legal advice, or provide full representation to indigent
disaster victims.
The Disaster Relief
Committee has assisted victims and their families following
9/11, the tornados, and most recently, hurricane Isabel.
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The
Education Committee
| The Education Committee
is responsible for maintaining and updating the Young Lawyers’ Handbook,
conducting seminars and other educational programs for Young
Lawyers, and addressing the practice issues faced by young
lawyers. |
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The
Membership Committee
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The Membership Committee
conducts a continuing campaign to obtain new members, plans
and sponsors events which benefit the entire membership, such
as happy hours and educational programs, and generally promotes
the benefits of membership in the Young Lawyers Section. |
The
Policy Committee
The Policy Committee
is responsible for the maintenance and updating of the Section’s
Long Range Plan, for the review of any proposed amendments to the
Section’s Bylaws, and for any other policy matters that may
arise.
The
Pro-Bono Committee
The Pro Bono Committee promotes pro bono activities across Maryland,
sponsors pro bono projects, seeks expanded opportunities to render
pro bono service for lawyers in every specialty, and recognizes young
lawyers who provide pro bono services, with one outstanding young
lawyer receiving the "Alex Fee Memorial Award" given out
each year at the Annual Meeting.
The
Publications Committee
| The Publications
Committee is responsible for the Young Lawyers Section's award-winning
publication, The Advocate. Published four times
a year, The Advocate is a source of information to
the membership by providing article on timely issues, practice
tips, and notice of upcoming Section events and news. If
you are interested in writing an article for The Advocate, contact
the editors at ylsadvocate@msba.org.
Check our link for more information and upcoming deadlines. |
The
Resolutions Committee
The Resolutions Committee
is focused on presenting the Young Lawyers Section with current
issues of legal interest in Maryland. The Resolutions Committee
also works to develop Resolutions relating to legal issues of importance
affecting young lawyers.
In addition, the Committee plans the program for the annual Open
Meeting, which includes a panel discussion of a topic of interest
to young lawyers by prominent attorneys and judges.
The
Technology Committee
| The Technology Committee
focuses primarily on maintaining and updating the Young Lawyers
Section web page and the electronic delivery of news and Section
information to its members. |
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Additional
Committees
The
Nominating Committee
* The Policy Committee
The Special Projects Committee
The YLS Circuit Representatives
* The YLS Executive Committee
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