Affiliate Outreach Conference (AOC)
The Affiliate Outreach Conference (AOC) is an annual two day meeting of the leaders of the sections, divisions and committees of young lawyer voluntary bar organizations throughout the state , as well as of the Law Student Division. The purpose of the conference is to share information about public service programs, membership programs and various projects, establish a liaison among the various young lawyer groups throughout the state, as well as a liaison between the Law Student Division board members and the leaders of our young lawyer groups. The conference is an opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas, present projects and compete for monetary grant awards. The conference usually occurs in early spring of each year. Every young lawyer affiliate and Law Student Division board member that attends the conference is eligible to receive a sizable stipend to cover the costs of their lodging and transportation.
Annual Convention
Awards / Grants & Scholarships
The Awards Committee annually bestows nine awards on deserving members of the public and the Bar. The purpose is to honor those individuals and organizations that serve as the benchmark for the rest of the profession. The Awards Committee solicits and screens the applications and makes nominations to the YLD Board. In addition, the Board annually distributes five grants as well as scholarships to Florida law students based on need, academic performance, and other factors. Many scholarship recipients have become successful practitioners.
YLD Pro Bono Award The YLD Pro Bono Award recognizes the public service or legal aid performed by a young lawyer (under the age of 36 or one who has not practiced for more than five years in any jurisdiction) who provides outstanding contributions to those in need of legal services. A nominee must be admitted to practice in Florida.
The term pro bono is derived from the phrase pro bono publico meaning “for the good of the public.” The purpose of this award is to encourage more Florida young lawyers to contribute their time and expertise in providing legal services to people in their community who cannot otherwise afford those services. In some instances, this will include legal services to charitable organizations that serve the poor. The emphasis of this award is on legal service to the poor. Completed applications are due by Friday, August 30, 2019.
Affiliate of the Year Award Completed applications are due by Friday, December 6, 2019.
- Florida Young Lawyers Large Affiliate of the Year Award recognizes a young lawyer Affiliate in the State of Florida with a large number of members that has demonstrated excellence in public service, member service, and creative use of resources.
- Florida Young Lawyers Small Affiliate of the Year Award recognizes Affiliates whose work is outstanding, even with fewer members or resources. This award recognizes a young lawyer Affiliate in the State of Florida with a smaller number of members that has shown excellence in public service, member service, and creative use of resources.
Affiliate Member Public Service Project of the Year Award This award recognizes a public service project that an Affiliate has put on during the 2019 calendar year. The project must serve the public and community, enhance the relationship of young lawyers to the public and the community, and be innovative. In addition to direct service, social events that are primarily fundraisers for a project may be considered for this award. Affiliates of all sizes are encouraged to apply. Completed applications are due by Friday, December 6, 2019.
Affiliate Members Service Project of the Year Award: This award recognizes a member service project that an Affiliate has put on during the 2019 calendar year. The project should serve the Affiliate’s young lawyers, provide for membership enrichment, and be innovative. Social and educational events that enhance the lives of young lawyers may be considered for this award. Completed applications are due by Friday, December 6, 2019.
YLD Outstanding Woman Lawyer of Achievement Award This award recognizes and celebrates the achievements of a woman lawyer or judge who excels in her field, possesses an excellent reputation for integrity, exhibits dedication to her community and her profession through Bar-related or similar activities, and who demonstrates a commitment to the success and advancement of young women lawyers. Completed applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2019.
The Lynn Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer The Lynn Futch Most Productive Young Lawyer Award is given to a Florida young lawyer who is not a member of the YLD Board of Governors, who has worked most diligently in the past year in Bar activities or law-related public activities, and who has an excellent reputation for legal abilities and integrity. Completed applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2020.
Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award The Michael K. Reese Quality of Life Award recognizes a person or entity that, through humanitarian respect, advances the balance and fulfillment in lawyers’ lives by redefining current work habits and schedules to provide more flexibility and a more meaningful existence. Quality of Life shall be defined as finding equilibrium between work and family and community involvement to maximize good health and minimize stress in one’s career. Completed applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2019.
Diversity Award The Diversity Award recognizes a person or entity that respects and promotes diversity in the profession. The Award recognizes those who encourage more gender,
racial, ethnic, religious, and other minority participation in law schools and the practice of law – in all areas of the law including private, corporate, and public or government practices. Individuals, law firms, and government offices are among past award recipients. Completed applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2019.
Outstanding Jurist Award The Outstanding Jurist Award is given to a judge with an excellent reputation for sound judicial decisions and an unblemished record of integrity as a lawyer and judge, is generally recognized by Bar members as highly qualified, is active in Bar-related activities open to the judiciary, and demonstrates concern for and willingness to assist young lawyers and respects their abilities. Completed applications are due by Friday, April 3, 2020.
GRANTS & SCHOLARSHIPS
Community Service/ “Holiday All Year Long” Grant – completed applications are due by Friday, November 1, 2019.
Afternoon at the Courthouse/Professionalism Roundtable Grant – completed applications are due by Friday, November 1, 2019.
Diversity/Women’s Initiative Grant – completed applications are due by Friday, February 14, 2019.
Health & Wellness Grant – completed applications are due by Friday, February 14, 2019.
Law Student Scholarships – completed applications are due by Friday, March 27, 2019.
Budget
Bylaws
The Bylaws Committee continually reviews the bylaws to insure they are current, relevant, and reflective of the Division and is responsible for providing suggested interpretation of bylaw application and drafting amendments for presentment to the YLD Board.
Commission on Women
The mission of the YLD Commission on Women is to assess the current status of women in the legal profession, to identify quality of life issues that impact women, and to break down barriers faced by women in their legal careers.
Communications
Continuing Legal Education (CLE)
The Committee selects a steering chair for each course, who is then responsible for recruiting the faculty for the course and for the course presentation. The basic format and outline are already developed and are generally followed in the presentation of the courses. The purpose of each course is to provide information necessary for new lawyers to gain the basic knowledge and understanding for the particular area of law presented. Additionally, YLD Board members are required to serve as moderators when needed.
On April 21, 1988, the Florida Supreme Court in The Florida Bar Re: Amendment to Rules Regulating The Florida Bar, Rule 6-12.1 (Basic Skills Course Requirement, 524 So.2d 634 (Fla. 1988), mandated that all attorneys admitted to The Florida Bar after October 1, 1988 attend the Practicing with Professionalism seminar and delegated the implementation of the seminar to The Florida Bar YLD. As of January 1, 1998, the Supreme Court of Florida approved a change to the rule which stated that in addition to attending Practicing With Professionalism, new lawyers must attend two “basic” level substantive continuing legal education courses presented by the YLD. Since then, the Florida Supreme Court changed the requirement to three “basic” level substantive continuing legal education courses presented by the YLD.
On February 4, 2010, the Florida Supreme Court approved amendments to the Basic Skills Course Requirement (BSCR), which will affect all newly admitted attorneys in Florida. Under the amended rules, newly admitted attorneys will now be permitted to satisfy the BSCR by watching the Basic CLEs online, self-reporting their credit and retaining a copy of their certificate of completion for auditing purposes. The Bar’s 24/7 online CLE provider will then cross reference the self reported credits with the certificate of completion roster.
Executive
The President, with the approval and consent of the YLD Board, may appoint an Executive Committee consisting of the President, President-Elect, and at least five and no more than 10 other members of the YLD Board to provide insight and advice to the President on issues facing the Division. The Executive Committee by two-thirds vote may exercise the powers of the YLD Board during any period when the YLD Board is not meeting, subject to such limitations as may be imposed by the YLD Board.
Government Lawyers
Inclusion & Equality
Law School Exploratory Committee
Legislative Affairs
The Legislative Affairs Committee works with The Florida Bar to review legislative actions that may impact the Florida Bar or those that will directly impact young lawyers. The Committee also considers proposals for legislative or political action by The Florida Bar, confirms whether such action is within the scope of the YLD Board’s authority, and recommends whether a position should be formally adopted or recognized by the YLD Board. The Committee’s activities may include the reviewing and drafting of legislative or political concepts which may or should be the subject of legislation, appropriate lobbying efforts to support recognized positions of The Florida Bar and increased efforts to build relationships with all YLD Board Members and various legislators and governmental authorities. The Committee also serves to educate young lawyers about significant legislative or political activities.
Local Bar Affiliates
The Local Bar Affiliate Committee improves communication among local young lawyer groups and the YLD BOG, and acts as a clearinghouse for the dissemination of information to young lawyer affiliate organizations throughout the state. This Committee stays in close contact with young lawyer affiliate organizations throughout the state and is available to assist with formation of any local affiliate. This committee is also responsible for working with the American Bar Association Florida Bar District Representative to communicate information to Florida young lawyer local bar affiliate organizations regarding available ABA benefits and programs and opportunities to exchange information with other young lawyer organizations around the United States.
Long Range Planning
The Long Range Planning Committee, chaired by the Divisions President-Elect, is responsible for determining issues and goals which face young lawyers throughout the state and to ensure that the activities of the Division are consistent with the goals of The Florida Bar.
Moot Court/Law Related Education
Online Resources
The Online Resources committee has the important task of creating, updating, analyzing, and managing the YLD’s online presence and content. For example, this committee is responsible for ensuring that the YLD’s state-of-the-art websites such as the Legal Accelerator and Startmyfloridalawfirm.com are functional, relevant, and most importantly a valuable resource to our members.
Practicing With Professionalism (PWP)
ProBono & Community Service
Professionalism
The Professionalism Committee works as a liaison for the YLD Board with Professionalism organizations such as the American Inns of Court and the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism. It is responsible for promoting professionalism efforts throughout the state with a focus on young lawyers.
Public Relations
The Public Relations Committee prepares and oversees official messages and announcements of the YLD Board of Governors to the young lawyers of The Florida Bar and to various media outlets. The Committee is responsible for drafting, editing, and publishing the Circuit Reports, which report the most recent activities of the YLD Board of Governors to our constituent young lawyers in each judicial circuit. The Committee also drafts, edits, and submits press releases and similar formal announcements to media outlets concerning the many contributions of the Board of Governors and of individuals Governors.
Quality of Life
The Quality of Life Committee explores means for enhancing and promoting the quality of life for young lawyers, and creates projects to promote opportunities for young lawyers to enhance their quality of life.
Sponsorship
The Sponsorship Committee is responsible for developing sponsorship opportunities for various vendors who provide services to the legal profession to become involved with the projects and programs put on each year by the YLD. In exchange for providing financial assistance to enable the YLD to provide even more effective programs and services, the vendors will be able to reach countless young lawyers and law students throughout the State of Florida and beyond with regard to their products and how they benefit the profession. Ranging from securing financial support for our large events such as the Affiliate Outreach Conference to providing additional assistance to continue developing programs directed at young lawyers, law students and promoting diversity, the Sponsorship Committee’s mission and purpose is to create win-win relationships that benefit not only the YLD but the entire profession.
Transition to Practice (T2P)
It promotes our current resources:
– Start My Florida Law Firm https://startmyfloridalawfirm.com
– Legal Accelerator https://www.legalaccelerator.org
– Legal Fuel https://www.legalfuel.com
– Find an Affiliate http://flayldaffiliates.com
– Pro Bono Resources https://flayld.org/get-involved/pro-bono-and-community-service
– Health and Wellness Resources https://flayld.org/health-wellness/
– Florida Courts App https://a2j.flcourts.org/resources
It implements new programs such as Financial Literacy Month, where we promote financial awareness while providing financial tips and tools for young lawyers. It provides practical advice to young lawyers on legal writing, opening/closing arguments, direct/cross examinations, and jury selection through the creation of interactive webinars and Legal Accelerator videos. It assists young lawyers in finding their ideal practice by discussing what options are available and how to create a new path. It helps address bias and harassment in the legal profession through informational programming on best practices and situational awareness.
Technology
The Technology Committee is responsible for: 1) educating young lawyers about the technological issues that affect the legal profession; 2) highlighting technology tools to assist young lawyers in their practice; and, 3) keeping young lawyers up-to-date with the latest news and events relevant to their profession. The Committee also assists with implementing technology initiatives of The Florida Bar.