Volume XIV, Issue VI
November/December 2000

Strategies to Benefit Young Lawyers

By Catalina Cantu, YLD Liaison to WSBA BOG Long-Range Planning Committee

In August 2000, The Washington State Bar Association Board of Governor’s adopted the strategies and operation plan to improve the professional development of young lawyers. What does this mean to YLD?

First, it means a commitment to work in collaboration with YLD and law schools to develop programs to prepare students for a successful legal career even before they are admitted to WSBA.

Second, it means exploring options for modifying the bar exam.

Third, it means determining ways to smooth the transition from law school to the WSBA.

Fourth, it means developing programs and services specifically designed for young lawyers once they join WSBA.

Fifth, it means finding out how WSBA may assist young lawyers to reduce or better manage law school debt.

Finally, it means working on leadership development of young lawyers in WSBA.

The Young Lawyers Division has been active in the development of the strategies and action plans designed to implement these goals and the hope is that young lawyer participation will continue.

Remember when you were in law school and did not know about the bar exam or how you would pay off your law school debt? Well, now is an excellent time for YLD members to jump on the wagon to assist law students and other young lawyers with those issues.

Here is what has happened so far: YLD took the initiative to host a law student reception at the opening of the new Gonzaga Law School in September during Celebration 2000 in Spokane. Gonzaga law students interacted with WSBA Board of Governors members and YLD Board of Trustees members. Later in September, YLD members greeted law students at the University of Washington School of Law on their first dayof classes. There is more planned for the future. In January, YLD will host programs at all three law schools for 3L’s on the Bar Exam and professional development.

For more information contact Catalina Cantu at 206-296-1722.

Catalina Cantu is an Attorney and Tort Investigator at King County Risk Management in Seattle, Washington.

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