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    Elections

    Elections Notice

    The declaration window for 2023-2024 elections closed on Friday, May 5, 2023. There were no offices for election that had contested races. All candidates compliant with election guidelines and YLD Bylaws has taken office in accordance with Division governing documents.

    The ABA Young Lawyers Division elected its officers and other representatives at the 2023 Annual Meeting, in Denver, CO., from August 2 to 8, 2023.  The officers and representatives elected include:

    • YLD Secretary (Division Chair-line): Brandon Riches (Mississippi)
    • YLD Clerk (Division Speaker-line): Patrick Morris (Tennessee)
    • One YLD Representative to the ABA House of Delegates (3-year term): Rich Rivera (Florida)
    • One YLD Nominee to the ABA Board of Governors (3-year term if elected in 2024 by House of Delegates): Abre' Conner (California)
    • YLD Representative to the ABA Nominating Committee: Jo Bahn (District of Columbia)

    The applicable bylaws and guidelines relating to eligibility and nomination are available from the Secretary, or on the Division’s website.  For more information, please contact the 2023-2024 Secretary, Brandon Riches at [email protected].

    The 2023-2024 Elections Notice will be posted at a later date.

    Elections-Related Resources

    For more information, please contact:

    Elections Committee Interpretations

    Under the Elections Guidelines, the Division's Elections Committee interprets the guidelines and shall, in response to any candidate’s or officer’s written question regarding the interpretation, issue a written opinion answering the question asked. The Committee shall report its opinion to the Council and publish it on the appropriate page of the Division’s website. YLD Election Guidelines Interpretations are available here.

    Running for Office

    Am I eligible? No person is eligible for candidacy unless they (1) have been a Member of the ABA Young Lawyers Division since the preceding annual meeting; (2) registered for and attended the preceding annual or midyear meeting or the preceding Division national conference since the preceding annual meeting; and (3) attend the election, unless excused pursuant to a rule, policy, or procedure.

    These requirements are in place to ensure that any Division Officer has been engaged enough in the YLD to be able to understand the needs of the Division and represent the interests of our members.

    Additional eligibility requirements

    • Officers: A person must continue as a Division Member in good standing throughout their term (including, in the case of the Chair-Elect, the ensuing term as Chair).
    • Constitutional Representatives: a person must be a Division Member and young lawyer when their term begins, and otherwise satisfy the ABA Constitution and Bylaws qualifications.
    • YLD Nominee to the ABA Board of Governors: Under Section 7.3 of the ABA Constitution and Bylaws: a person must be admitted to practice in their first bar within the past five years or be 36 years old or less at the beginning of the term. The term does not begin until the annual meeting after the Division "elects" its nominee, and the nominee is elected by the House of Delegates.

    Am I a Member of the Division? Division Membership is open to “young lawyers” within the American Bar Association. “Young lawyers” are lawyers who have been admitted to practice in their first bar within the past ten years, or is less than thirty-six (36) years old. Law student members and young lawyers Associate members may not serve as officers of the Division.

    What experience do I need? Election candidates have typically held one or more nationally elected positions or several senior appointments at the national level, before seeking election. However, these customs are merely customs, not rules, and any eligible person can run for any available position. 

    Who do I contact with questions? Contact Elections Committee Chair / Assembly Speaker Darryl Wilson

    2023-2024 Election Results

    Congratulations to the Division Officers and Constitutional Representatives elected at the ABA Annual Meeting in August 2023.

    Past Candidates Forums: 2021 Annual Elections