LONG RANGE PLAN January 2009 The Young Lawyers Division's mission is to attract, serve and engage new members of the bar; to provide the tools and opportunities that will allow members to better serve their clients, communities and the legal profession; to be an advocate in the discussion of policies that affect young lawyers; to create a forum for the exchange and expression of views and ideas; and to be a source of information that will assist our members in maintaining the high standards of practice displayed by our predecessors. I. THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL STRIVE TO PROVIDE ACTIVE COMMUNICATION TO ALL MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY NEW MEMBERS. a. Create a listserv of all members of the YLD to allow for easier communication to the entire YLD. b. Create a listserv of all new members to allow for easier communications of issues of interest to those new members. c. Provide membership lists to all district representatives. d. Annually publish in The Iowa Lawyer a list of district representatives. e. Increase communications provided through The Iowa Lawyer and seek to expand resources utilized to publicize the YLD's activities and accomplishments. f. Obtain a separate web site for the YLD, or create a better identity within the ISBA web site, and ensure that the information listed on the site is current. g. Promote the YLD to local level young lawyer groups. II. THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL MAINTAIN A COMPREHENSIVE EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM COVERING IOWA LAW. a. Work to provide Iowa-specific educational opportunities for newly-admitted members due to a 2008 change in the format of the Iowa Bar Exam that has resulted in the exam no longer requiring the study of Iowa law. b. Continue to provide seminars such as Bridge the Gap, Summer Seminar and the Nuts & Bolts Seminar. c. Create Iowa specific law resources. III. THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISIONS WILL SUPPORT EXISTING LOCAL YOUNG LAWYER GROUPS AND ENCOURAGE THE FORMATION OF NEW GROUPS IN THOSE LOCATIONS WHERE THEY DO NOT EXIST. a. Create local level listervs to allow for easier communication within and to those groups. b. Encourage and support activities by district representatives to create local level young lawyer groups. c. Encourage and support the activities of existing local level young lawyer groups.
IV.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL ATTEMPT TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PARITICIPATION BY ALL WHO ARE INTERESTED. a. Provide invitations to all YLD members who live near the site of each YLD Executive Council meeting, asking those members to attend the Executive Council meeting. b. Expand membership on YLD committees as possible. c. Provide communications to YLD members about opportunities for participation in county bar associations, the ISBA, and the ABA. d. The President-Elect will consider geographic diversity when appointing CouncilAt-Large Representatives to the Executive Council.
V.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL PROMOTE THE IMPORTANCE OF DIVERSITY WITHIN ITS MEMBERSHIP. a. Identify current minority members of the YLD and seek their active involvement in the YLD. b. Create a Community Outreach Committee that will be charged with identifying and promoting public service opportunities that are targeted to minority populations. c. Utilize the "Choose Law" program developed by the ABA and conduct other activities that encourage minorities to seek legal careers. d. Work with college and law school programs such as the Hubbard Law School Preparation Program at the University of Iowa Law School.
VI.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL PROMOTE ITS ACTIVITIES AT LAW SCHOOLS. a. Extend to ISBA student representatives invitations to participate in YLD activities. b. Sponsor student receptions at the laws schools at Drake, Creighton and Iowa.
VII.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL WORK TO IMPROVE THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF LAWYERS. a. Members will actively participate in the annual trial presentations at the Iowa State Fair and take part in the State Fair booth maintained by the ISBA. b. Continue the Know Your Constitution program. c. Expand resources utilized to publicize the YLD's activities and accomplishments, as well as those of individual members. d. Create a new logo. e. Obtain a separate web site for the YLD, or create a better identity within the ISBA web site, and ensure that the information listed on the site is current.
VIII.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL WORK TO CREATE INTEREST IN, AND APPRECIATION FOR, THE LEGAL PROFESSION. a. Continue sponsorship of mock trial tournaments. b. See also, the activities listed in paragraphs V(b) through (d). THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL WORK TO IMPROVE THE TRANSITION FROM THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION TO THE SENIOR BAR. a. Request that at least one YLD member be appointed to each ISBA committee. b. Work with the ISBA to promote ISBA opportunities via the communication channels identified in paragraph I. c. Invite officers of the ISBA Board of Governors to speak at Executive Council meetings.
IX.
X.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL CONDUCT PUBLIC SERVICE PROJECTS. a. Recruit lawyers to participate in the Volunteer Lawyers Project. b. The President of the YLD will annually identify at least one public service project in which the District Representatives will be required to take part.
XI.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES WITH OTHER LAWYERS. a. Extend dinner invitations to all YLD members who live near the site of each YLD Executive Council meeting (the YLD will not pay for the cost of the dinners). b. Continue sponsorship of the Justice For All golf outings or some fund-raising activity that also fulfills the role of providing an opportunity for lawyers to meet in a relaxed atmosphere.
XII.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL ENCOURAGE ITS MEMBERS TO SEEK POLITICAL OFFICE. a. Sponsor a Legislative Leadership Academy. b. Use the communication channels identified in paragraph III to inform YLD members of lawyers running for office.
XIII.
THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION WILL ATTEMPT TO MAINTAIN ACTIVE COMMUNICATION WITH THE JUDICIARY. a. Invite members of the judiciary to speak at YLD Executive Council meetings. b. Investigate the possibility of creating a social event such as bench/bar lunches or other similar social events.