Advocating for Yourself to Better Advocate for Your Clients: The Taboo Topic of Self-CareBy Isabella MazzantiYoung Lawyers Division, December 2025Next time you may feel guilty about taking time for yourself and away from work, remember that you cannot be an effective advocate without self-care. In other words, self-care doesn’t compete with hard work, it protects it.
Midyear Online Food DriveBy YLD Pro Bono CommitteeYoung Lawyers Division, December 2025The Young Lawyers Division Pro Bono Committee is excited to announce that the 2025 Midyear Online Food Drive is officially live, and this year we are expanding our reach across the entire state of Illinois. In connection with the ISBA Midyear Meeting, the YLD is partnering with three separate food banks to support communities in the Chicagoland area, the St. Louis metropolitan area, and Central Illinois.
November 2025 Bar Admission PhotosYoung Lawyers Division, December 2025On November 5, 2025, 1,637 new lawyers were sworn into the practice of law in Illinois during ceremonies held across all five judicial districts. Congratulations to Illinois' newest lawyers!
When the Text Isn’t Clear: What Lawyers Should Know About the Canons of ConstructionBy Jake LeahyYoung Lawyers Division, December 2025When interpreting a statute, regulation, constitutional provision, or ordinance, be sure you are familiar with how courts use canons (and when they don't), and how an argument regarding interpretation can either effectively persuade the court or stretch the law too far.
Chair’s ColumnBy Jason R. BlumenthalYoung Lawyers Division, August 2025A note from the Chair of the Young Lawyers Division Section Council.
Inspiring Community Engagement at DePaul LawYoung Lawyers Division, August 2025ISBA Young Lawyer Representative, Genevieve E. Miller, recently spoke on a panel at DePaul Law, "Engaging Your Community."
Voir Dire: Setting the Tone for Trial SuccessBy Courtney A. BerlinYoung Lawyers Division, August 2025It is often said that you cannot win a case in voir dire, but you can lose one there. Make sure you're prepared for voir dire in your next jury trial!
YLD Members Attend Annual Meeting in LincolnshireYoung Lawyers Division, August 2025Members of the ISBA Young Lawyers Division attended the Annual Meeting at the Lincolnshire Marriott Resort on June 5–6, 2025.
YLD Speed Networking Event 2025Young Lawyers Division, May 2025The YLD Speed Networking event provided an opportunity for young lawyers and law students to meet and connect with colleagues.
YLD Wine Tasting Event 2025Young Lawyers Division, May 2025Proceeds from the annual Wine Tasting event benefited the YLD’s Children’s Assistance Fund, which provides grants to organizations across the state related to children and law.
5 Great Tips for How to Move Up in Your Career as a Young LawyerBy Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, December 2024Time is limited for young lawyers. We must balance myriad demands from work, personal life, and legal organization responsibilities. It can be challenging to fit everything into a day’s work while looking ahead to achieving your future professional goals. Organization is key. Schedule out every hour of your day. Prioritize deadline-driven matters to help ensure you make the most of your days. Here are some tips that will benefit your future career.
End of Year Reflections for Young LawyersBy Caroline Mazurek CozziYoung Lawyers Division, December 2024As the end of the year draws near, young lawyers have an opportunity to pause, reflect, and create a plan for their careers. Amid the never-ending tasks and pressures of the workday, setting aside time for reflection can be a powerful tool for growth. The end of the year also offers a great opportunity to deepen connections within the legal community, including getting more involved in bar associations and engaging in networking opportunities.
Discover the ISBA Mentorship ProgramBy Nichol BensonYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024The Illinois State Bar Association offers an amazing mentorship opportunity for its members. The idea of the program is that a new attorney is matched up with a more experienced attorney. The new attorney is someone who has been practicing for under five years and the more experienced attorney has been practicing for more than five years. Apply for ISBA's Mentoring Program by December 31, 2024.
Expectation Excellence: A Guide to Effective Performance StandardsBy Nicholas CorrellYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024As an attorney, you may also have a new role as a supervisor at some level. You have support staff that are a part of your team, and you may even have other attorneys that you supervise. On the other hand, maybe you do not directly oversee employees, but you have clients who have issues with managing employees. Managing employees and employee performance is known as “performance management.”
Over 600 Years of WisdomBy Laura A. Josephson-Bernat, J.D., MBAYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024Judges and lawyers share professional and personal advice that they wish they had learned earlier in their careers.
Preparing for TrialBy Courtney A. BerlinYoung Lawyers Division, November 2024As a young lawyer, getting ready for trial can be both exhilarating and daunting. The stakes are high and the pressure to perform can feel overwhelming. However, successful trial preparation is grounded in a few essential principles that can set you on the path to victory. By remembering the basics and prioritizing organization, you can navigate the complexities of trial work with confidence.
Why Is It Important for Young Lawyers and Law Students to Attend ISBA’s Midyear Meeting?By Genevieve E. Miller, Esq.Young Lawyers Division, November 2024Young lawyers and law students are without a doubt beyond busy, especially during the holiday season and the month of December. ISBA’s Midyear Meeting occurs annually in downtown Chicago, and it is truly such a wonderful and enjoyable networking opportunity you won’t want to miss! This year it is hosted at the JW Marriott in Chicago’s loop on December 12 and 13. Why should YOU make attending this annual affair a priority this holiday season?!? Please allow me to explain.
ISBA & IBF Reception 2024: Honoring Leaders and Celebrating ExcellenceBy Riz AliYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024The Illinois State Bar Association and the Illinois Bar Foundation hosted a memorable reception on August 28, 2024, at the vibrant Hubbard Inn in Chicago, where esteemed members of the legal community gathered to celebrate and honor their leaders.
ISBA Annual Meeting Re-CapBy Kassandra R. MorfinYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024This year, ISBA's Annual Meeting took place in St. Louis, Missouri, known as the country’s “Gateway to the West” and the first U.S. city to host the Olympics in 1904. The ISBA provided an amazing list of places to explore. As an experienced solo traveler, I hoped to check out as many places as I could on my two-day trip!
Why Networking Is Crucial for Law Students and New LawyersBy Taylor TylerYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024Effective networking provides valuable opportunities to establish meaningful connections and convert initial interactions into practical leads.
YLD Members Attend Summer & Fall ISBA EventsYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024YLD members have been busy attending the Association's events, including the Annual Meeting in St. Louis, the Solo & Small Firm Conference in Champaign, YLD's Fall Fest, & the Chicago Sky v. LA Sparks WNBA Game!
YLD Social Event at Penguin Foot PotteryYoung Lawyers Division, October 2024Join YLD for a social event on Sunday, November 17, at Chicago's Penguin Foot Pottery!
Making the Most of Your ABA Annual or Midyear MeetingBy Kenneth MatuszewskiYoung Lawyers Division, August 2024In addition to its many other benefits, ISBA offers YLD members the opportunity to serve as delegates to the American Bar Association's Annual and Midyear meetings.
Annual YLD Speed Networking EventBy Olivia BasuYoung Lawyers Division, March 2024On March 1, 2024, nearly 100 young legal professionals gathered in the ISBA office in downtown Chicago for the annual speed networking event hosted by ISBA’s Young Lawyer’s Division.
Networking Tips and TricksBy Judith ConwayYoung Lawyers Division, March 2024A mentor's tips to get the most out of networking events.
Learning Professional GrowthBy Olivia BasuYoung Lawyers Division, February 2024Tips for young attorneys struggling with burnout in the first few years of practice.
