Posted by Pictured above: Chastidy Burns and Jack Bentley recruit new members for the Criminal Law Committee at last year’s Meet the Committees Night & Social.
Posted authored by Jennifer Byrne
The Chicago Bar Association’s bar year runs on a schedule that is similar to a school calendar. After a flurry of activity in June with annual meetings and CLE reporting deadlines, July and August are sleepy months when the Chicago legal community and bar association takes a “summer break” from committee meeting and seminars to enjoy the warm weather and begin planning for the coming bar year. However, we still hosted a few great events for young lawyers to do a little networking and have some summer fun!
On August 9, the Section’s Social Committee hosted its annual boat cruise aboard the Anita Dee Yacht. The boat cruise has become an annual tradition for the YLS and a great way for young members and friends to reconnect after the summer break. Members had a great time and enjoyed gorgeous views of the city from aboard the yacht!
On August 16, the YLS joined forces with the Illinois CPA Society for a unique “speed learning” networking event. Members of both groups participated in several fast-paced, facilitated discussions on topics ranging from networking and business development strategies to how attorneys and accountants can collaborate to better service clients, which was followed by a happy hour in the Illinois CPA Society’s plaza and learning suites.
September is when the legal community and bar association kick into full swing again. Pull out your calendar and make sure you fit one or more YLS events into your schedule!
On September 6, the Union League Club (65 W. Jackson) will host the YLS for a unique social to kick-off the new bar year. YLS members are invited to tour the Club starting at 5:00pm and then join the networking reception from 5:30-7:00pm. RSVP to membership@ulcc.org if you wish to attend.
The YLS will also offer volunteer opportunities for young lawyers and law students looking to give back and gain some pro bono experience. On September 8, the Serving Our Seniors Committee will host the first of four advanced directive workshops that they have planned for the bar year in conjunction with the Center for Disability and Elder Law. At this workshop, young lawyer volunteers will assist low-income, LGBT seniors in completing Powers of Attorney for Healthcare and Property and Living Wills at the Center on Halsted (806 W. Addison). Click here for more information on the Serving Our Seniors Program and to register for training and volunteer events.
On September 15, the Wills for Heroes Committee will host its first volunteer clinic of the year at the Chicago Police Department Headquarters (3510 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60653). Click here for more information on the Wills for Heroes Program and to register for training and volunteer events.
Now is a great time to take stock of your committee memberships and do some business development planning for the coming bar year. To review your committee memberships and join new CBA committees, visit www.chicagobar.org/committees.
And if you’re looking for an opportunity to learn more about a particular committee or network with committee leaders, I highly recommend attending our annual “Meet the Committees Night” on September 20 from 5-7pm. This complimentary event is open to members and non-members alike and will feature yummy food and drink, along with informational sign up booths for each YLS committee. Click here for more information and to sign up for the event.
Until then, I hope to see you this September @theBar!
Best wishes,
Jennifer E. Byrne
About the Author:
Jennifer Byrne is the Director of the Young Lawyers Section of The Chicago Bar Association, for which she organizes and coordinates the many events its young lawyers enjoy, including continuing legal education and mentoring programs, social events, the CBA @theBar podcast, blog and more. Prior to Jennifer’s work as a bar association professional, she was a domestic relations attorney in Chicago. Jennifer attended law school at DePaul University College of Law and received a B.A. in both English-Literature and Fine Arts from Illinois Wesleyan University.