I attended my first AAJ (then ATLA) convention in 2002 when the organization met in Atlanta. Being from Alabama, that convention seemed to be my best opportunity to put my toe in the water. I drove over to the convention and checked into the hotel. I was initially overwhelmed by everything going on and had just about decided to pass on the whole thing.
Then something happened that, in many ways, has changed my life. Several members of the New Lawyer’s Division went out of their way to get me involved. I increasingly became more and more involved in the division and now I am the Chair. What a tremendous honor it is to serve this organization and its members in this capacity.
My involvement in this organization has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. I would place it second only to obtaining a verdict on behalf of my clients. I have become a better lawyer as a result. I have impacted laws and elected officials in ways that benefit society. Equally important to me, I have found some of my best friends by being involved in the NLD.
I hope that you are interested in becoming more involved in the NLD. The first opportunity will be the Membership/NLD Phonathon which will be held on October 2, 2008 from 10-4 in Washington, DC. This will be directly followed by the NLD Business meeting to help cut down travel costs in the current economy. The second Phonathon will take place in May, most likely in Dallas TX, home to AAJ president Les Weisbrod right before the Spring BOG and Committee meetings, tentatively April 30, 2009. The goal of these is to increase AAJ NLD Membership by taking a few hours of time to make personal calls to some NLD members in your states or colleagues you may already know that are not currently members of AAJ but should be! The NLD membership drives are a great way to meet new people, have fun, and increase the AAJ network. AAJ will reimburse your expenses for one night of hotel stay, travel and related expenses (collectively up to $1,000). If you are interested in participating in either membership drive, or have any questions, please contact Whitney Larman at 800-424-2725, ext. 540 or email her at whitney.larman@justice.org.
Another great way to get involved is to participate in a NLD sponsored public service project. Each year the Division strives to make a commitment to the community through hands on projects that allow us to give back to the communities in which many of us serve. One such project is Habitat for Humanity, which is an independent, charitable housing program dedicated to the elimination of poverty housing by building homes in partnership with families in need. This past year in Philly we did an event with Greater Philly Cares and spent time with some great folks at the Eliza Shirley House, cleaning up, folding donated items and just taking a little time to get to know the people who live and work at the residence. If you are interested in volunteering for any of the public service projects or have any questions, please contact Whitney Larman at 800-424-2725, ext. 540 or email her at whitney.larman@justice.org.
Contribute documents to the NLD Document Library. The Document Library is one of the greatest assets the NLD offers New Lawyers. Administered by the AAJ Exchange, it is full of pleadings, discovery requests, briefs, motions, deposition outlines, etc. – and it’s FREE OF CHARGE!! These documents are available online and can be accessed through the AAJ NLD home page or the AAJ Exchange. Over the past few years, we have obtained over 500 documents from almost every state. All it takes is a moment to e-mail documents that you think might be helpful to other New Lawyers. If you are interested in contributing, please e-mail your submissions to the Chair of the Document Library Committee, Sach Oliver at soliver@baileyoliverlawfirm.com.
Join and be active in the NLD Board of Governors. The NLD Board of Governors is the lifeblood of the NLD. The Board of Governors works with the NLD Executive Committee to organize and carry out the numerous NLD activities throughout the year that make AAJ stronger and protect the civil justice system. NLD Governors participate in quarterly conference calls to learn various activities and mobilize to action. In addition to helping with the activities discussed in detail above, NLD Governors often write Sidebar newsletter articles, write website content, fundraise for pro-civil justice candidates, serve as mentors to law students and law grads, sponsor winter and annual NLD convention parties, and strengthen the NLD in other similar ways. If you are interested in applying for the NLD Board of Governors, please contact the Co-Chairs of the Board of Governors Committee, Dan Nelson at dnelson@kreindler.com and Emily Hawk Raley at hawk@alabamatortlaw.com.
Each of the activities above are great ways to get involved. I am confident that each will be as rewarding to you as they were for me.
Chair
NLD Chair 2008-2009
