Posted by Pictured above: Guests enjoying the 2017 YLS Holiday Social. Join us for our 2018 Social hosted by the law firm of Clark Hill on December 13.
Post authored by Jennifer Byrne
Throughout the month of December there are many ways to get in the holiday spirit and spread some cheer @theBar. Whether you’re looking to give back to the community, do some networking, or mingle with friends, the YLS has something for you!
Giving Back
Our annual Dear Santa Letter campaign is underway and we still have letters available in the CBA’s 1st floor bookstore. Help us brighten the holidays by sending a Chicago Public School kid a Santa gift! Here’s how it works: select a letter, purchase a few items the child has requested from Santa (approx. $25 or less), and mail the package directly to the child’s school by December 14. If you’d like to distribute letters at your firm or company in bulk (10+ letters) click here to sign up and we will ship the letters to you.
Don’t have time to pick up a Santa letter, but still want to contribute to a child in need this holiday season? Participate in the YLS’ book drive for the Lawyers Lend-a-Hand to Youth tutoring program! All you have to do is purchase a book from the student’s Amazon Wish List and it will be shipped to the CBA Building, packaged by a group of young lawyer “elves” and sent home with the students over winter break. You don’t even need to leave your desk! However, if you are interested in helping with gift wrapping, the YLS will host a wrapping party over lunch on December 12, 2018 at Noon at the CBA Building (321 S. Plymouth Ct.). RSVP to yls@chicagobar.org.
Get Out There and Network!
One of the best ways to build your network is to find a great mentor who can connect you to others in the legal community, and after you’ve developed a trusting relationship, advocate on your behalf and provide you with professional guidance. The CBA’s Lawyer-to-Lawyer Mentoring Program provides this opportunity to CBA members by connecting new lawyers with more experienced lawyers. Registration for the 2019 program is now open! If you’re within your first 5 years of practice, consider registering as a mentee. If you’ve been practicing for 5+ years, consider volunteering as a mentor. Learn more and register by visiting the program’s webpage. Illinois CLE credit is available upon completion of the year-long program.
On December 5, the YLS invites members of the CBA and members of the Veterans Leadership Council of Chicago and the Union League Club’s American Legion to a unique Attorney and Military Veteran Speed Networking Event — a great opportunity to share your knowledge during several fast-paced, facilitated discussions with other professionals! A happy hour sponsored by Amata and the Law Office of Palermo & Farmer Law Group will follow the structured networking session. The event will take place from 6-8pm at Amata Law Office Suites (77 W. Wacker). Click here to register.
The YLS “Lunch with a Judge” series strives to provide young lawyers with the unique opportunity to hear from a member of the bench in an intimate setting. We’re excited to be offering another installment in the series this month! On December 10, Circuit Court of Cook County Judge Brendan A. O’Brien will provide advice to lawyers appearing before him and other similarly assigned judges, as well as practical tips for young lawyers at a complimentary luncheon hosted by the law firm of Hinshaw & Culbertson (151 N. Franklin Street, Suite 2500). Click here to register for this members only event.
Have Some Holiday Fun
The YLS will close out 2018 with our always popular annual Holiday Social! This year’s social will be hosted by the law of Clark Hill (130 E. Randolph, Suite) and libations and appetizers will be served courtesy of our sponsors: Gold Level – Exponent, Silver Level – Chicago Title Insurance Company, Bronze Level – Attorney Title Guarantee Fund and Nielsen Career Consulting. Be sure to RSVP soon by clicking here as this event always fills up fast!
I hope to see you this December @theBar and I wish you a happy holiday season!
Best wishes,
Jennifer 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. To learn more about how to get involved in CBA’s Young Lawyers Section, feel free to contact Jennifer at jbyrne@chicagobar.org or 312-554-2031.