The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division hands out their Stars of the Quarter honors to deserving YLD members who go above and beyond the call of duty.
Stars of the Quarter
Third Quarter 2024-2025
Affiliate Stars
The Federal and Military Bar Association hosted the webinar “Rising through the Ranks in Private Practice” focusing on a discussion of hard and soft skills that associates are expected to have at different phases in their career in private practice, and advice for making the transition from associate to partner. Thank you, National Affiliate Representative, Christie McGuinness, for your service and this great event!
The Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. The CBA YLS hosted the Young Lawyers Section Diversity Dinner, The Current State of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. With over 60 young lawyers in attendance, the event featured a panel discussion moderated by The City of Cromwell’s Mayor James Demetriades. Panelists included Sharon Brown, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion partner at Barclay Damon, and State Representative Jack Fazzino of Connecticut's District 83. The discussion explored the challenges of navigating DEI programs and initiatives, particularly in light of new executive orders from the U.S. government. The CBA YLS also hosted a Pathways to Leadership Dinner in partnership with the Women in Law section to present the Ladder Award, honoring trailblazing women in the legal profession. Thank you, District 2 Representative, Ali Toumekian, for highlighting a very relevant event!
The Utah Young Lawyers Division. The Utah YLD has executed several Wills for Heroes events, providing pro bono services to first responders throughout the state of Utah. With the help of over 40 volunteer attorneys, 20 paralegals, and 25 law students, the Utah YLD’s Wills for Heroes program has served over 170 first responders in the past few months. Thank you, District 27 Representative, Brittany Frandsen, for sharing the results of great programming!
The Multnomah Bar Association Young Lawyers Section. MBA YLS has been very active in its program offerings this quarter, which includes the Young Litigators Forum Winter CLE Series, which includes a series of 8 webinars covering issues that arise in all stages of litigation, a speed networking event connecting young lawyers with more senior lawyers, and a Solo & Small Firm Workshop! covers issues that arise in all stages of a litigation matter. In addition, the MBA YLS hosted a speed networking event in January 2025, where young lawyers were invited to engage in fast-paced networking with more senior lawyers. Finally, the MBA YLS has been hosting a Solo & Small Firm Workshop, including a series of CLEs for young lawyers to learn about what is required to become a solo or small firm practitioner. Topics have ranged from “How to Search for and Negotiate the Office Lease for your Law Practice,” “Law Firm Well-Being,” to “Ethically Navigating Issues Frequently Encountered by Virtual Practitioners.” Thank you, District 29 Representative, Stacie Damazo, for all your work!
The Georgia Young Lawyers Division held its annual Signature Fundraiser, “A Night on the Diamond” at Truist Park (home of the Atlanta Braves). The Fundraiser benefits the YLD Public Interest Internship Program. This year, the event also honored one of our ABA YLD Fellows, Paula Frederick, with the YLD Lifetime Achievement Award. Thank you, District 12 Representative, Jen Isaacs, for highlighting this event!
Second Quarter, 2024-2025
Individual Stars
- David Hagan: David readily agreed to serve on the Credentials Board and has already taken initiative to go above and beyond what was asked.
- Yvette Donaldson (YLD DEI Vice Director-Projects) for volunteering to moderate the November 2024 YLD Literary Society meeting and doing an excellent job.
- Brian Jenkins, District 10 Representative. Even as a new District Representative, Brian has worked tirelessly, coordinating District 10’s DLS Response to Hurricane Helene and ensuring that any issues were resolved promptly and effectively. Brian takes his responsibilities as a District Representative seriously. With respect to these duties, he has demonstrated a high degree of excellence and integrity.
- Andrea Fitzsimmons, District 5 Representative. Andrea has been outstanding with reaching out to both affiliates and non-affiliated bar associations within her district. She regularly communicates with the Affiliates Team any problems within her district and has had great successes increasing the presence of the ABA YLD within District 5.
- Samantha McCoy, Civil Rights & Social Justice Committee Chair, has done a great job engaging her committee. Samantha also volunteered to lead one of the YLD Literary Society meetings.
- Brittnee Pool Gillett, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Committee Chair, has been an active committee chair and helps keep her committee and other YLD members engaged.
- Elizabeth “Brooks” Savage has demonstrated the most impressive commitment to serving disaster survivors directly that I have seen in many years. In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Brooks has not only taken the lead in the North Carolina DLS implementation from DLS program operations perspective, she has also traveled far and wide to meet and interact directly with disaster survivors as a volunteer attorney. On top of that, she has also worked tirelessly to ensure that the ABA content and media teams have good coverage on the DLS work being done there, coordinating videos of volunteers, recording her own experiences, and representing DLS in the most professional and inspiring capacity. She’s dedicated nearly 70 hours of her own free time to supporting this implementation.
- Tiffani Mims, F2P vice director - Tiffani always steps up to the plate and is willing to take on roles to support our team which is especially helpful given the big time difference I have for a lot of ABA events!
- Kimberly Russell, Podcast Team Member. Kimberly had been an active and involved member of the podcast team. While behind the scenes, her work is vital to the complete of our podcast.
- Joshua Katz, Phoenix Host Committee Member, for providing helpful feedback on draft 5K route and excellent recommendations for food and drinks in Phoenix. Josh’s personal touches helped provide all our members with a great experience.
Affiliate Stars
- (A) SC Young Lawyers Division. The SC YLD Pro Bono and Community Outreach Committee hosted a Legal Aid University CLE in October. Attorneys were able to learn about expungements, wills and advance directives, name changes and birth certificates, and housing court. Thank you, District 10 Representative, Brian Jenkins, for highlighting this great CLE!
- (B) The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) Young Lawyers Division (YLD). The NJSBA YLD hosted in October a Networking Fundraiser, which raised more than $5,000 for Volunteer Lawyers for Justice’s trafficking survivors legal assistance program. Thank you, District 6 Representative, Josh Cohn, for raising awareness of this great cause!
- (C) The New Orleans Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section hosted its “Big Easy Bootcamp” in October, at the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. The “Big Easy Bootcamp” was a day-long CLE for newly admitted attorneys that gave them the opportunity to meet and network with members of the bench, the New Orleans Bar Association, and other newly admitted attorneys. Following the event, members of the New Orleans Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section hosted joined the newly admitted attorneys for a reception at Lucy’s Retired Surfer Bar. Thank you, District 14 Representative, Joseph Tran, for elevating this amazing event!
First Quarter, 2024-2025
Individual Stars
- Alexander Cyr, District Representative for District 1 (ME & VT). Alexander has leaned into his role as District Representative. He has responded timely to any tasks given, communicates any questions or issues that he may have, and the Affiliates Team is excited to see District One’s presence grow within the ABA YLD.
- Charlie Sprague, YLD Liaison to the Standing Committee on Antitrust Law, for being an active and involved YLD Liaison.
- Ruth Glaeser, Chair of the YLD Antitrust Law Committee, for leading an active group and moving ball forward in her topic area
- Thomas Chambers, Chair of the YLD International Law committee, for hard work on the International Law Committee and as liaison to the International Law Section.
- Alexis Deveaux , District Representative for District 11 (FL) for her leadership in Florida on multiple / concurrent disaster implementations.
- Saige Smith, TYL Managing Editor, for being an amazing and reliable Managing Editor.
- Nick Monck, Chair of the Government, Military and Public Sector Lawyers Committee, for reaching out to the leaders of public sector committees to meet and discuss relevant topics and issues and being proactive in his topic area.
- Ali Toumekian, Vice Director, Affiliates Team: Ali has been instrumental in formulating and executing the Affiliates Team’s projects in Quarter 1. She has leveraged her experience as a DR and overall ABA leader in helping revive the presence of the Affiliates Team within the ABA YLD.
- Shrushti Kothari, Vice Director of the Disaster Legal Services Team, for her invaluable help during these unprecedented times.
Affiliate Stars
- Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division - Oktoberfest: Zone 5 of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division held its annual Oktoberfest event at the Susquehanna Brewing Company in Pittston, PA. The event was led by the Luzerne County Young Lawyers Division. Attendees were treated to authentic German food, live music, and libations. Attendees included several members of the judiciary and Melissa Merchant Calvert, Chair of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. Even a brief rain shower could not dampen these festivities! Thank you, District 5 Representative, Andrea Fitzsimmons, for highlighting the great work of the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, especially those affiliates in Zone 5.
- Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division – Lawyers on the Links: The Hillsborough County Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division hosted Lawyers on the Links, a golf-themed happy hour, at Yeoman’s Topgolf Swing Suite in downtown Tampa. The event drew in more than 90 attendees, including many prominent judges. The event featured two golf simulators for attendees to practice their golf swing in anticipation of the upcoming golf tournament. This was a fantastic way to kick off the bar year and get everyone excited about the organization’s upcoming programming. Thank you, District 11 Representative, Alexis Deveaux, for your work in elevating Florida’s Young Lawyers at the national level.
- Waterbury Bar Association Young Lawyers Section: Waterbury Bar Association Young Lawyers Section hosted a Joint Networking event with the Connecticut Italian American Bar Association. The event took place at Hindsight BBQ in Waterbury, CT and was spearheaded by de-facto YLS Chair Jeffrey Beck, along with the rest of the Young Lawyer Section. The event sought to grow the affiliates membership, making a home for the young lawyers of Waterbury. Notably, the Waterbury Bar Association YLS was previously inactive, so huge kudos to the young lawyers in this area for reviving the presence of their affiliate within their District! Thank you, District 2 Representative, Ali Toumekian, for your work with local affiliates, highlighting renewed engagement!
Second Quarter, 2023-2024
Individual Stars of the Quarter
- Jeanne Ortiz Ortiz (DLS Team, Vice Director)
- Servando Martinez (DLS Team, Member)
- Robert Mihara (Editorial & Content Board, Associate Editor)
- Ben Reese (Editorial & Content Board, Associate Editor)
- Sonia Shaikh (Editorial & Content Board, Associate Editor)
- Tim Schmeling (Student Debt & Financial Well-Being Team)
- Thomas Chambers (International Law Committee Chair/Liaison)
- Jared Nelson (Scholar/Committee & Liaison Team)
- Heather Krick (First Generation Initiative)
Affiliate Stars of the Quarter
- New Jersey State Bar Association YLD, Philanthropy Events
- Minnesota State Bar Association New Lawyers Section, New Lawyer's Leadership Conference
- State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section, Community Events
- Texas Young Lawyers Association, OneVoiceHome
- Baton Rouge Bar Association Young Lawyers Section, Belly Up for the Bar Event
First Quarter, 2023-2024 (Fall)
YLD Chair Tamara Nash, would like to recognize a few hard-working YLD members for their exemplary leadership efforts and service to the Division during the first quarter.
- Hannah Andrews, Salt Lake City, Utah, Litigation Committee Chair
- Dea Courtney, Eagan, Minnesota, National Conferences Team Vice Director
- Nicole Crossey, Princeton, New Jersey, First Generation Initiative Team Member
- Nathan Erickson, El Dorado, California, Parents in Practice Initiative Vice-Director
- Christina Gregg, Boston, Massachusetts, Editorial and Content Board Podcast Team
- Eric Liberatore, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Editorial and Content Board Contributor
- Lt. Nicholas Monck, Denver , Colorado, Government, Military and Public Sector lawyers Committee Chair
- Kimberly Russell, Brooklyn, New York, First Generation Initiative Team Member
- David Zuckowski, San Francisco, California, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law Committee Chair
And The Affiliate Stars of the Quarter are:
- The New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Young Lawyers Section
- The Houston Young Lawyers Association (HYLA)
- The Nevada Young Lawyers Section
- The Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA), Young Lawyers Division
- Connecticut Bar Association Young Lawyers Section
Third Quarter Stars, 2022-2023
Affiliate Stars of the Quarter
Massachusetts Bar Association Young Lawyers Division
Tarrant County Young Lawyers Association
Individual Stars of the Quarter
Brandon Riches
Jasmin Hurley
Heather Bowen
Saige Smith
Second Quarter Stars, 2022-2023
- Maryland State Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Section for their Mindfulness event sponsored by Kadampa Meditation Center
State of Michigan Bar Association Young Lawyers Section for their event “Brotherhood: Families Learning Together”
North Carolina Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for their “NCBA Grab-a-Coffee Program”
2023 Midyear Meeting Stars
- Larissa Mervin, Harrisburg NC
- Josef Ventulan, Baton Rouge LA
- Nancy Maurice, New York NY
- Catherine Zhu, Valdosta GA
- Sam Dangremond, Old Lyme, CT
- Alexandra Graves, Ocala, FL
First Quarter, 2022-2023 (Fall)
YLD Chair Josephine “Jo” Bahn, would like to recognize a few hard-working YLD members for their exemplary leadership efforts and service to the Division during the first quarter.
- Victoria McIntyre (New Orleans, LA)
- Dylan Bitar (Tampa, FL)
- Kelsey Backus (Washington, DC)
- Ann Petros (Washington, DC)
- Sarah Khan (Cherry Hill, NJ)
- Julie Merow (Charleston, WV)
- Montana Funk (Billings, MT)
- Ian Roberts (New York, NY)
- Jena Emory (Atlanta, GA)
Affiliates
- Virginia Bar Association
- Southwest Louisiana Bar Association
- New Orleans Bar Association