For most of us, we barely have enough time to fulfill our work obligations and get home to satisfy our commitments at home.
So when you see there are volunteer opportunities or elections for the Board of Governors of The Young Lawyers Section of The Jacksonville Bar Association, most of you simply turn the page.
I know this because I was in that very position up until over a year ago when a dear friend and colleague convinced me to get involved with the YLS.
It started with two committees and ultimately resulted in my running for an open seat with the board.
Needless to say, I lost my election much to my dismay. But the president of the YLS board contacted me and asked if I would be interested in being an ex officio member. When I said yes without hesitation, I had no idea what I was in for.
Being on the board has been a rewarding and fulfilling experience for many reasons, one of which is that I gained many new friends and colleagues that I would not have met otherwise.
There is a camaraderie amongst the young lawyers that is indescribable and goes beyond the fact that we are all lawyers. We celebrate marriages, children and successes with one another.
We support one another on both a personal and professional level. Interestingly, as I write this, I am actually running for one of the open seats on the board and yet encouraging my competition to run.
I can assure you I will, of course, run with all of the passion and enthusiasm that I have, but that being said, I do like a good competition as most lawyers do.
I encourage each and every young lawyer to branch out and become involved, to take the opportunity to meet other young lawyers and establish relationships that will not only be beneficial personally but also professionally.
The YLS promotes the legal profession within the community, strives to set examples for other young lawyers to follow, provides young lawyers with opportunities to connect with the judiciary and elevates its members to succeed personally and professionally.
In the end, there is simply one word to describe the YLS — family. The leadership opportunities are endless and may just result in a partnership, new job or judicial appointment.
From one young lawyer to another, I challenge you to dare to be involved and encourage each and every young lawyer to come to the next YLS event and experience what we have to offer for yourself.
In fact, we have a happy hour taking place at 5:30 p.m. April 23 at the Volstead. The current board will be there to answer questions you may have about running in the upcoming election.
I can attest that each board member would love to meet all of the young lawyers and will encourage each of you to become involved.
Each has a unique experience and perspective to share. This happy hour is the perfect opportunity to obtain more information on the board and the upcoming election.
If you accept my challenge, I can promise that you will not be disappointed. There are five open seats and a great opportunity to become involved and make your own mark on this wonderful group of lawyers.
As Nathaniel Hawthorne said, “Every individual has a place to fill in the world and is important in some respect whether he chooses to be so or not.”
Choose to be present, choose to be engaged and choose to bring to this Jacksonville legal community your voice and perspective, such that we can all be a more prosperous and flourishing association and board.
Consider the gauntlet thrown. Do you accept the challenge?