CBA Record September 2018

–Bar Associations and their Relevance, Particularly as to New Lawyers– By Katie Liss and Emily Roschek T his subcommittee addressed how best to maintain relevance for young lawyers in light of declining memberships among millennials due to cost and philosophy (including significant membership drop off after the first free year) and the critical need to continually upgrade technology to ensure user friendly interface and access to bar news, programs, CLE and other resources. The subcommit- tee considered issues associated with the transformation of the legal profession, new and differing challenges confronting young lawyers, the mindset and preferred social interactions of law students and young lawyers, the impact of electronic learning and social media platforms, and the likely future of the brick and mortar bar associa- tion. It is true now and is a critical consid- eration moving forward that young lawyers will interact most often with the CBA via the internet/website and through social media platforms. It is essential that CBA technology ensure the most cost effective, user friendly experience possible in terms of communications via mobile devices, through webinars and other means that will continue to be identified such as the podcasts recently launched by the CBA’s Young Lawyer’s Section (YLS). The subcommittee believes that ongoing self-assessment is important to see which YLS programs and initiatives should be kept and which should be eliminated. Specifically, these self-assessment efforts should include: 1) identifying our pur- pose—providing young lawyers with a chance to see and interact with each other face-to-face; 2) identifying what young lawyers need and how the CBA can help to promote networking, job assistance and free CLE programming; and 3) identifying members’ challenges such as technology (or a lack thereof ), student debt, unauthorized practice of law, YLS future of profession task force concerns and time restrictions. YLS is the key to the future of the CBA and while it is one of the strongest pro- grams within the bar, even more resources

what types of goals they should strive for in their use of social media. Also affecting the future of the profession is complying with the complexity of very specific rules regarding communication/advertising/ solicitation in different jurisdictions. Reliance upon and the appropriate use of social media is and will continue to be key for the legal profession as social media platforms expand and evolve. According to a Pew Research Center 2016 Social Media Update, 86% of all US adults use the internet including: 56% now use two or more social media sites; 79% are on Facebook (76% engage in daily use); 24% use Twitter; and, 32% use Instagram. In a subsequent Pew Research Center survey in 2017, 67% of US adults received news from social media including 71% from Twitter, 68% from Facebook and 23% from LinkedIn. Social media platforms have significant users: Facebook—2.01 billion users; LinkedIn—414 million users; and, Twitter—328 million users. The 2017 ABA Legal Technology Survey Report found that 53% of firms used LinkedIn and 72% of lawyers, 40% of firms used Facebook and 34% of lawyers, and 19% of firms used Twitter and 26% of lawyers. Lawyers responded in the same report their personal reliance upon social media included 27% use Twitter, 82% use Facebook and 39% use LinkedIn. For lawyers, the key is to identify the highest and best use of social media in connection with the future of the profes- sion, how to use social media appropriately to promote lawyers, law and law practices consistent with ARDC obligations and to learn to manage various social media platforms and keep up with new and con- stantly updating/changing platforms. The subcommittee recommends that the CBA continue its efforts to educate, inform and assist its members to: • Ensure the positive use of social media to humanize lawyers • Advocate for the rule of law and educate the public about how law works • Focus on lawyer to public communica- tions as the overarching framework of what works, what is permissible, and what types of goals we should strive for with the use of social media

and funding need to be allocated to this important member segment. We believe the key is to build community and get members invested by making new friends and reconnecting with law school class- mates.The YLS needs to continue its efforts to provide unique socials geared towards building community with new members such as law school alumni events and work directly with law schools to attract and maintain law students/new attorney mem- bership. Once engaged, YLS needs to work to ensure there is a clear understanding of how to get involved in leadership roles and the time commitment and expectations of those leadership roles. On the technology front, YLS efforts would be enhanced by diligently collecting data at socials and events (type of lawyer, law students, etc.) to help secure sponsor- ships. YLS has recommended consideration of an app to promote improved means of obtaining this helpful data and is hopeful that the new CBA website improvements also will allow improved ability to track registrants and other member data. YLS also would like to see improved, more interactive webinar capabilities since mil- lennials are accustomed to communicating online, particularly with mobile friendly access. Overall, it would be helpful for the YLS to increase its social media presence particularly through the efforts and per- sonal outreach of YLS leadership. The subcommittee recommends that the CBA and the YLS continue its efforts as follows: • Develop an action plan for YLS includ- ing a self-assessment to determine which program should be kept or eliminated • Build a great community among YLS members • Establish clearer track and understanding of YLS leadership roles and opportuni- ties • Develop YLS metrics to measure suc- cess of differing events, activities and outreach • Improve technology/enhance webinar capabilities including increasing YLS social media presence and considering a YLS app • Increase overall funding and resources to YLS CBA RECORD 37