CBA Record July-August 2025

THE YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Gavin Phelps brings a deep well of CBA experience to his role as YLS Chair as he plans to focus on increasing law student involve ment in the new bar year. Below are examples of his contribu tions to the YLS, his community involvement, and his vision for the future. A graduate of Notre Dame Law School, Phelps externed with the Circuit Court of Cook County as a law student, where he was introduced to the YLS. He enjoyed the community and support that the YLS is known for and became more involved with the Section. Phelps’s involvement within the organization is extensive. He has chaired the YLS Transactional Law Committee since 2020, which is also when he was awarded the David C. Hilliard Award for Outstanding Committee Service for his work with that com mittee. He has held several other positions, including Project Coordinator; Director of Student Engagement; Director of Phi lanthropy; Program Officer; Membership and Recruitment Offi cer; Second Vice Chair; and most recently, First Vice Chair. Phelps also founded and organized numerous events with the CBA, including the CBA/YLS Solo/Small Firm Job Fair, the Meet Your New YLS Chair, Gavin Phelps By J. Kopczyk, YLS Journal Co-Editor-in-Chief

Transactional Negotiation Student Competition, and the CBA/ YLS section of the Pride Parade. His efforts with Diversity Week led the CBA/YLS to receive the 2023 American Bar Association Award of Achievement for a Diversity Project. That same year, Gavin received the Terrence M. Murphy Award for Leaders with Substantial Impact on the Section from the YLS. Phelps is currently on the board of the Jazz Institute of Chi cago, which stems from his time volunteering for the institute. Chicago’s history with jazz played a major role in his decision to move to the city, and he has enjoyed all the jazz events the city has to offer. As a board member, he relishes the opportunity to ensure that jazz remains available to everyone in Chicago. Phelps’s plans as Chair for this bar year center on driving member involvement. He hopes to increase opportunities for law students to get involved and be included as committee leaders in events beyond CLEs. Further, he will focus on supporting every YLS leader so they can succeed in those leadership roles. One of his other larger initiatives is to launch a new event, the YLS Open House, which will showcase all that YLS has to offer to young attorneys.

THE CHICAGO BAR ASSOCIATION YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Networking ALL BAR Social AUGUST 26, 2025

5:00-7:00 PM AT HUBBARD INN

TICKETS: $50 - OPEN BAR AND APPETIZERS Available at chicagobar.org/AllBarSocial

CBA RECORD 35