Spring Conference Features CDI’s “Building International Relations”

CDI’s last live program, “Building International Relations and Business,” co-sponsored with the ABA Section of International Law, is scheduled for the ABA YLD’s Spring Conference in May. In discussing the May program, Member Service Project Team Coordinator Chris Fortier of Arlington, Virginia, noted, “The economics of law makes it more likely that a young lawyer will deal with a fellow young lawyer from abroad. Even if lawywers never leave the state of their birth, trains, airplanes, telecommunications, and the Internet have made it impossible not to interact with someone from the other side of the world. Therefore, this month’s theme is especially appropriate.”

Fortier added: “Our programming will give the audience the tools and the checklists needed to navigate the business and social scenes while abroad. Socially, people interact differently from country to country. Business customs and regulatory structures vary from country to country and our programming will show you what you need to prepare to bridge the cultural gaps and deal with the different ways of handling business.”

The Spring Conference will take place this year in Nashville, Tennessee. The ABA YLD traditionally invites its international affiliates to this Spring Conference. ABA YLD Chair Michael Bergmann of Chicago, Illinois, envisions that the May program will share with conference-goers the benefits and the how-tos of international networking. In addition, attendees and online participants will learn about international bar admission requirements and view a preview of what to expect. Similarly, at the conference international attendees will share their thoughts on practice in their countries. As Chris Fortier explained: “We will also interview some of our international attendees at the Nashville meeting and hear in their words what they see as the value of their international activities personally and professionally.” Those interviews will then be made available on the ABA YLD website as podcasts, along with information about foreign bar admissions.

This program will permit the networking to transcend international boundaries through participation by ABA YLD members, the Division’s domestic affiliates, and its international affiliates. Chris Fortier continued: “Young lawyers who do their homework can go a long way in this global economy while finding some of the most fulfilling friendships they may ever encounter. Our resources, articles, podcasts, and live programming will send you on your way to meeting those personal and professional goals.” This conference presents a great opportunity for affiliate members to participate in the ABA YLD and network.

Five Months of Programming Still to Come

In addition to live programming, the CDI has five more months of online and teleconference programming planned. In April, the CDI website will feature articles about finding a government job and the benefits of employment within the government. A teleconference is also planned to discuss the variety of governmental jobs available and how to find them.

In June, the website will feature alternative career paths and different ways to use one’s law degree, along with a companion podcast. In July, a podcast is planned relating to the options and benefits of alternative dispute resolution programs. Articles will also be featured on the website on this topic. Finally, in August, the website will feature articles about transitioning from law student to lawyer. A teleconference is also planned for this topic.

At the end of each month, the topic materials are archived for members to access. Members can log on to the CDI page at www.ambar.org/yldcareerdevelopment and review all electronic materials, including the podcasts.

CDI Launch

The CDI program launched in September 2011 and addressed how young lawyers can get involved in pro bono work. A podcast regarding the importance of incorporating pro bono services into one’s legal career is archived and available online. In October, in conjunction with the Judicial Division, the CDI featured a live program at the ABA YLD Fall Meeting in Seattle on “The Path to the Judiciary.” Materials available online for this program feature a podcast from the Lawrence K. Olivier of Golden, Colorado, about the Judicial Division.

In November, the CDI team put together a look at how to transition into different practice areas. The November page on the website features interviews with many different young lawyer practitioners and how they each found their own niche. The website is a great resource for a young lawyer investigating other areas of law practice in which to transition. Currently, the topical area interviews available on the website are arbitrator–mediator, children and the law, civil rights defense litigation, collections, communications law, environmental law, matrimonial law, mediation, plaintiff-personal injury, probate litigation, professional development, public interest, and real estate.

A podcast on the December theme of “Entering Academia” featured Maurice Ruffin of New Orleans, Louisiana, as moderator, and law professors Mitch Crusto of New Orleans, Louisiana, Amanda M. Bertrand Foster of Sunrise, Florida, and Jennifer Smith of Orlando, Florida. In addition, the website features articles regarding the January theme of what military lawyers do and how to join them.

The February theme of “Going Solo” features a podcast by Brittany E. Fortier of Arlington, Virginia, William T. Harvey, Jr., of Hamilton, New Jersey, and Angel Base of Spokane, Washington, on how to hang one’s own shingle, in addition to other materials on the topic.

The March theme of “Going In-House or Becoming a Partner” was featured at the New Partner and In-House Counsel Conference in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on March 1–2, 2012. The website features a podcast led by Mac McCoy, James A. Paone, and Bobbi-Sue Doyle-Hazard, that summarizes the key notes of the conference. The website includes articles on going in-house or becoming a new partner.

An ABA YLD Virtual Career Library

Although each month features a different topic, the ABA YLD website has archived the information so that members can continue to obtain the information from each month’s theme. In speaking of this year’s member service project, ABA YLD Chair Michael Bergmann says, “During the 2011–2012 bar year, the ABA YLD Career Development Initiative (CDI) spotlighted different potential career paths that might be taken by young lawyers. Under CDI, we gathered existing content and resources, including articles, live and distance programming, and podcasts, from within the ABA YLD and from other ABA entities. We also worked to develop new content and resources relating to these different career topics. Beyond this bar year, it is my hope that we will have a centralized and easily accessible virtual career library within the ABA YLD to assist young lawyers from across the country in achieving their career goals.”