CBA Record October 2018

Y O U N G L A W Y E R S J O U R N A L

attorneys fail to see is that taking the time to participate in pro bono actives can help to benefit their career and provide a benefit to themselves individually. What can pro bono work do for your career? Putting aside the recognition and awards you might receive for your service, the value of pro bono work for your career is infinite. Whether you are looking for your first job, looking for a new job, or happy with your current job, dedicating your time to pro bono work is valuable for your career. The firsthand experience that is gained by performing pro bono work provides an individual a leg up on the competition. The hands-on aspect of working directly with clients is often limited for young attorneys. In almost all pro bono endeavors, however, the attorney will be given the opportunity to work hand in hand with clients. Positive results may come from gained experience over other attorneys, gained personal com- munication skills, improved trial skills, new business and new professional contacts. As a young lawyer, many interviews include a question about what type of com- munity service or pro bono work you do with your free time. If you are attempting to impress a potential employer, but your answer to this question is “none,” what you are telling that employer is that you do not have time to help those around you and in your community. Attempting to explain why you are too busy to help your com- munity most likely will only put you in a deeper hole. What can you do to help the commu- nity? Whether you volunteer in a trans- actional clinic to help small businesses, volunteer to draft estate plans, or volunteer to represent individuals in civil litigation, the simple fact is this: until you showed up, that individual was on their own. As attorneys, we have a distinct skill set that can make a difference in someone’s life at every stage of our legal careers. What you choose to do with that skill set is up to you. However, after making the decision

CBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Chair Brandon E. Peck Peck Ritchey LLC

First Vice-Chair Octavio Duran Hart, David, Carson LLP Second Vice-Chair Jeffrey Moskowitz J. Moskowitz Law LLC

The Joys of Pro Bono Work By Brandon E. Peck YLS Chair T he value that pro bono service can provide to both junior and seasoned attorneys is not to be dismissed under any set of circumstances. Speaking from personal experience, many of the pro bono activities that I have undertaken have created some of my most gratifying work. There is a common misconception that as a young attorney you may not have time to participate in pro bono opportunities. However, the majority of pro bono oppor- tunities require only a minimal time com- mitment and almost all organizations are willing to work with attorneys’ schedules so they can become as involved as their schedule permits. It is true that attorneys maintain a nonstop schedule. Between current clients, potential clients, networking obligations, and personal lives, there is little time to focus on giving back to the community. However, the benefits gained from serving your com- munity easily outweigh the time you will be putting into any pro bono activity. Young lawyers may feel that taking the time to participate in pro bono activities is a worthy cause, however, they simply do not have the time or flexibility. What many

Member Service Manager Alexis Crawford Douglas K&L Gates LLP Public Service Manager Tracy A. Brammeier Clifford Law Offices, P.C.

Project Officer Katherine Oswald Golan Christie Taglia Project Officer Kate Schnake Hinshaw & Culbertson

Secretary/Treasurer Svetlana Gitman Bruce Farrel Dorn & Associates YLS Journal Co-Editors in Chief Daniel J. Berkowitz Aronberg Goldgehn

Natalie C. Chan Sidley Austin LLP

Assistant Editor Lindsey Purdy The Collins Law Firm, P.C.

YLS Director Jennifer Byrne

46 OCTOBER 2018