Forum’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion from a Young Lawyer’s Perspective
By Giselle M. Girones
I remember my first experience with the ABA Forum on Communications Law—the 2018 Annual Conference in Napa, California—like it was yesterday. At the time I had been an associate at Shullman Fugate for six months and was thrilled to be practicing media law alongside two high-powered women at the head of it all.
As a “new” associate in the field, I was encouraged to register as a participant for the Media Advocacy Workshop where, I found out, I would have a chance to showcase my oral advocacy skills to members and clients. The thought alone was nerve-wracking! As a “newbie,” I was also not sure what to expect when I arrived at the conference. After all, I had been involved in many organizations at the local and national level and knew that it could be difficult to come in and attempt to establish yourself among such a large group. But those fear and anxieties quickly dissipated upon my arrival.
I was taken aback by the welcoming, friendly environment cultivated by the group. I met several individuals, like Lynn Carrillo, Leslie Pedernales, and Jennifer Dukarski, who were inviting and not shy about introducing me to other members and friends. Along with these introductions, and those facilitated by Deanna Shullman and Rachel Fugate, as a part of the first-timer program, I was lucky enough to have Drew Shenkman serve as my conference “mentor.” He was more than happy to provide valuable insight into the Forum, the conference, and what to expect.
Throughout the workshop sessions, I instantly bonded with the participants, including Lyndsey Wajert, who remains a dear friend. The workshop sessions were collaborative, productive, and insightful without being too intimidating. In fact, I enjoyed the experience so much that I snagged a spot on the workshop committee, where I have been serving as a member assisting with the drafting of hypothetical case scenarios and accompanying materials used by participants since 2018.
The tips I have obtained throughout my time as both a participant and an observer/faculty judge have been invaluable, and I highly recommend any young lawyer interested in the field to participate in this unique opportunity to sharpen your oral advocacy skills while interacting with various lawyers in the field.
Since the 2018 conference, I have been so thankful for the opportunities that have come from my membership in the Forum. The CLE content provided via webinars and plenary sessions are always interesting, topical, and keep me up to speed on substantive issues impacting our practice. The networking, mentorship, and friendships promoted by the Forum have also been invaluable. I have been thankful for opportunities to collaborate with lawyers across the country, including, for example, coauthoring an article and presenting a webinar with Lincoln Bandlow on copyright jurisprudence.
I am also grateful for the Forum’s environment that has fostered the knowledge and confidence in me to go from passive listener at events to sharing my own experiences during breakout sessions on, for example, handling the first Eleventh Circuit case affirming a fee award under Florida’s anti-SLAPP law. And although the pandemic has presented the Forum with unique challenges, I find that the virtual events have been just as rewarding as they’ve ever been. Being able to “meet” with colleagues from around the country gives us a better glimpse of what their lives look like while having the added perk of getting to meet so many adorable pets!
As I look back several years after my first experience with the Forum, I am appreciative of the wonderful people and opportunities that led me to where I am today. I look forward to my first year serving as the Young Lawyers Committee co-chair, alongside Andrew Pauwels, and hope that I can continue to develop the same welcoming environment I have had the pleasure of experiencing throughout the years.