CBA Record Nov-Dec 2019

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

YLS Members Learn the Importance of Being a Part of Our Community By Octavio Duran, YLS Chair

CBA YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

Chair Octavio Duran Duran Law Offices

judicial position and what steps to take early on in their careers to help them achieve success. Not long after these events, I received multiple emails from law students asking me to sit down for coffee so they could pick my brain about getting involved with the YLS. I could tell that our efforts to connect with law students throughout the year had been working. At these meetings, the students asked all the right questions. They understood that, to be a member of a community that will benefit you, you have to dedicate time to it. All of them are now looking into becoming more involved in our YLS projects. They are truly showing promise in understanding what it takes to succeed in a very competitive job market. The YLS continues to have themes for each month of the bar year, with our over- all theme being “The Balanced Lawyer.” In October we focused on technology. We want our young lawyers to be able to gain leverage at work by learning how to implement cutting edge technology to improve efficiency. For students, they can take their research skills to the firms that will eventually employ them. For young lawyers, they can take their business devel- opment to the next level. In November, our focus turns to public service, which dovetails with the CBA’s recent Pro Bono Week. The YLS will contribute to these efforts through such programs as the Dear Santa Letters the YLS answers each holiday season, as well as the ongoing Serving Our Seniors and Wills for Heroes programs. In December, we turn to the theme of civility, always a vital topic. And as always, we will continue to pro- vide our members one of the more impor- tant benefits of being a YLS member: increased exposure through publishing in our journal, blog, and podcast. We encourage your contributions.

First Vice-Chair Jeffrey Moskowitz J. Moskowitz Law LLC Second Vice-Chair Tracy Brammeier Clifford Law Offices P.C. Member Service Manager Chastidy Burns Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender Public Service Manager Lara Wagner The Law Offices of Lara Wagner LLC Project Officer John Risvold The Collins Law Firm PC

I t is hard to believe the Bar Year is moving so quickly. The Young Lawyers Section has already accomplished so much in just a few short months. Septem- ber’s YLS theme focused on networking. We hosted multiple events that helped our young lawyers and law school students understand the importance of networking and teaching them how to network. The YLS delivered a resounding overall mes- sage: being a member of our community has tremendous benefits to young lawyers and law school students. We also put on workshops and panels on why it is important for law students to start networking now. Panelists answered questions such as, “What should law school students be doing now?” and “What benefits does the CBA provide law school students?” The attendance by law students was terrific and inspiring. In September we also hosted our very first “Back to School Bash,” attended by well over 200 students. Panel speaker Maryam Ahmad, the CBA’s First Vice- President, advised attendees on the importance of knowing people in the CBA community as it gives them tangible leads towards internships and jobs. In addition to the social event, we also hosted a panel of judges who imparted valuable information on practice basics. The judges also provided our young lawyers with guidelines on running for a

Project Officer Kenneth Matuszewski Patent Attorney

Secretary/Treasurer Kate Schnake Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP

Co-Editor in Chief YLS Journal Daniel J. Berkowitz Aronberg Goldgehn Davis & Garmisa Co-Editor in Chief YLS Journal Kruti Patel Charles Wintersteen & Associates

Assistant Editor Kaitlin King Hart David Carson LLP

YLS Director Jennifer Byrne

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