Young Lawyers Division
The ABA Young Lawyers Division (YLD) supports new and
young lawyers at all points of their legal career. YLD is deeply rooted in a
foundation of diversity, equity, and inclusion and is committed to building a profession
reflective of the diverse and vibrant communities which its members serve. YLD
is committed to teaching young lawyers to lead their communities and empowering
members to serve those in need.
Your Gift Matters
YLD programs aim to educate, inspire, and serve. Key efforts include:
- The YLD Disaster Legal Services Program: an ongoing service project that responds to the unmet legal needs that arise after natural disasters.
- The YLD Leadership Academy: a 2-year leadership training program that provides a pipeline into national leadership for traditionally underrepresented attorneys.
- YLD Pop-Up Public Service Projects: a variety of projects held at in-person ABA meetings to provide attendees an opportunity to give back. Most recent projects have supported youth in need.
- Various DEI Initiatives, including the EMBRACING Diversity Challenge, the First Generation Initiative, the Men of Color Project, and the Women of Color Project.
Our Impact
In the last year:
- YLD’s Disaster Legal Services team responded to 26 new disaster declarations. From these disasters, approximately 1,700 disaster survivors were served, bringing total reach to disaster survivors in 47 states and 4 U.S. territories.
- YLD Pop-Up Public Service Projects provided 215 encouragement cards and 130 personal hygiene items to youth in the foster care system or who are otherwise in need.
- The YLD Leadership Academy continued to foster the growth of new lawyers of equity-deserving identities. Eight second year (returning) scholars and eight first year scholars participated in the Leadership Academy.
- The First-Generation Initiative, in partnership with the Legal Pathway and Law Student Outreach Team, planned and implemented the Inaugural First-Generation Legal Regional Summit in April 2024. During the summit, 40 high school and college students, 50 law students, several young lawyers, and 15 members of the judiciary participated.
“It was a transformative experience. We had a chance to visit South Texas College of Law, benefit from the experience and advice of bright minds, learn about career options, and we were taught skills we can take with us wherever we go.”
-- Christina Biello, First-Generation Legal Regional Summit participant
An Opportunity to Shape the Future
Donating
to YLD programs on ABA Giving Day is a direct way to support these programs and
the development of future lawyer-leaders so that our organization and our
profession continue to foster belonging and excellence.