WYLD Committees Call for Volunteers!

The Washington Young Lawyers Division is dedicated to public service. We are urging other young lawyers to consider playing a part in the many programs and activities offered throughout the year. Participation in WYLD committees such as Membership, Continuing Legal Education, and Public Service/Pro Bono will introduce you to people from across the state and will involve you in projects that benefit other young lawyers and the public.

The WYLD works hard to ensure that all Washington young lawyers have the opportunity to participate in these programs.

For further information on WYLD activities, or to volunteer, check out WYLD or contact Brian Halcomb, the WYLD Liaison.

Committee Descriptions

Membership Outreach
This committee coordinates efforts with other WYLD committees to actively recruit members and offer various programs to young lawyers and law students to provide frequent networking opportunities for law students, young lawyers, and senior members of the Bar. To receive regular emails with details about the committee's upcoming events and meetings, subscribe to the WYLD membership outreach committee list serve. 

Send an e-mail to WYLD-Membership-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

Continuing Legal Education
The CLE Committee works in conjunction with the WSBA CLE Department to plan and implement seminars aimed specifically at young lawyers. Committee members will chair CLEs and assist in recruiting and coordinating  speakers, and implementing programs on a wide variety of substantive legal topics. CLEs take place across the state.  To receive regular emails with details about the committee's upcoming events and meetings, subscribe to the WYLD CLE committee list serve. 

Send an e-mail to WYLD-CLE-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

Committee for Diversity
The primary goals of the Committee for Diversity are to increase diversity within the membership and leadership of the WYLD; to support and encourage opportunities for minority attorneys and to raise awareness of the benefits of diversity.  To receive regular emails with details about the committee's upcoming events and meetings, subscribe to the WYLD Committee for Diversity list serve. 

Send an e-mail to WYLD-CFD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

Public Service/Pro Bono
This committee collaborates with other law-related educational organizations to coordinate free legal clinics within local communities, speak to youth organizations, and coordinate special public service projects.  To receive regular emails with details about the committee's upcoming events and meetings, subscribe to the WYLD Public Service/Pro Bono committee list serve. 

Send an e-mail to WYLD-Public_Service-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

Editorial Advisory Committee
The Editorial Advisory Committee has two roles. First, it is responsible for overseeing De Novo, WYLD's bimonthly publication. The Board directs the editorial content, works with the Editor to determine the topical focus of each issue, locates writers and articles, and assists in hiring the editor and ensuring the continued quality of the publication. Members of the EAB also frequently contribute articles for publication. To receive regular emails with details about the committee's upcoming events and meetings, subscribe to the WYLD EAC committee list serve. 

Send an e-mail to WYLD-EAC-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

Program Descriptions

Aspiring Youth Program
The Aspiring Youth Program was created to reach out to at-risk middle school students during the "latch key" hours. A committee of Spokane young lawyers implemented this after school program as a pilot program, combining education, sports and inspirational speakers. This program has been a great success and will continue to be expanded to schools in other areas in an effort to promote leadership and make a difference in our communities.

Bridging the Gap Conference
The mission of the Bridging the Gap Conference is to provide education on a wide variety of low-cost practical skills to help better prepare new lawyers to be successful in their legal careers, regardless of practice area. The WYLD partners with the KCBA YLD to sponsor this conference. 

Greater Access and Assistance Project
GAAP serves clients who fall into the "gap" in terms of financial eligibility for free legal services through a qualified legal services provider and full priced legal services. GAAP is a joint project and committee of the Access to Justice Board and the Washington Young Lawyers Division.

Pre-Law Student Leadership Conference
This program was designed for, and targeted towards at-risk youth and minority students. Students who attend are encouraged to pursue a legal career and to take active leadership roles in their communities and student governments. This program emphasizes the importance of staying in school and being an active member of society.
At the conference in Yakima students participate in interactive workshops where they discuss case studies relating to criminal and family law issues. Students also discuss issues that currently impact youth, and work together to develop an action plan to they can implement on their own.

Trial Advocacy Program
The TAP is a CLE program that provides practical trial-skills education for young lawyers. Seminar topics include discovery and pre-trial preparation, evidence, experts, depositions, jury instructions, opening statements, and direct examination, just to name a few. Committee members will assist in recruiting and coordinating speakers, and preparing course materials. The TAP occurs each fall in Seattle.  To receive regular emails with details about the committee's upcoming events and meetings, subscribe to the WYLD TAP committee list serve. 

Send an e-mail to WYLD-TAP-subscribe@yahoogroups.com to sign up.

YMCA Mock Trial Program
The YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial program allows high school students to participate in a "true-to-life" courtroom drama. Each team of attorneys and witnesses prepares the case for trial before a real judge in an actual courtroom. A "jury" of attorneys rates teams on their presentations while the presiding judge rules on the motions, objections, and ultimately the merits. Participants develop critical thinking and analytical skills, learn the art of oral advocacy, and gain a respect for the role of law and the judiciary.

Youth and Law Forum
The WYLD offers partial funding and assists with planning for the Youth and Law Forum, which provides middle school students the opportunity to participate in workshops where they debate and analyze case studies with the guidance of volunteer attorneys and judges.  Event also offers youth the opportunity to meet local city, county and Washington state law enforcement officials. Other sponsors of the event include the Loren Miller Bar Association and the Latino/a Bar Association of Washington.