YLS Winter Report

from The Arkansas Lawyer Winter 2023

In the Stretch— Building a Better Association

William J. Ogles is the Chair of the Young Lawyers Section. He is an attorney at Wright, Lindsey & Jennings LLP

We’ve made it through another holiday season as well as another trip around the sun. As your vacations come to a close, and everyone returns to their daily grind, we turn the page to 2023. By now you have certainly noticed that when you get off work it is dark outside [until we come to our senses and pass permanent Daylight Savings Time, looking at you 94th General Assembly of the Arkansas State Legislature]. Hence, this time of year is known as the “dark months.” We understand it is easy to lose motivation during this time, after all, football is over, the ducks have left the Delta, and it’s not quite warm enough to get 18 holes in. As you scroll through your new year’s resolutions looking for opportunities to give back, network, or just seek fellowship, look no further than the Arkansas Bar Association’s winter calendar.

Before everyone set their outof-office emails, on November 10, 2022, YLS co-sponsored a Free Legal Answers clinic with the Arkansas Access to Justice. This event was incredibly successful, thanks to all the attorney and law student volunteers that made it possible.

As previously announced, the YLS is preparing for its Wills for Heroes event again this year. We are grateful to ArkBar member Patrick Murphy with SimpleWill for sponsoring this event that provides wills, powers of attorney, and living wills to our police, fire department, first responders, and veterans. It will be held on Saturday, April 1, 2023. Given the success of the previous clinics being virtual, this year’s clinic will also be virtual. As per tradition, the Chair Elect Caroline Kelley (CKelley@mwlaw.com) will be leading this event. This event, although born out of the global pandemic COVID-19, continues to be a staple for our organization. The number of heroes that we can assist depends on the number of attorney volunteers. No prior experience in this practice area is required. Be on the lookout for this volunteer opportunity in the coming weeks, and reach out to me or Caroline for more information.

YLS held a fun happy hour event at the Flying Saucer during the association’s MidYear Meeting 2.0 on February 9. It was great to see everyone. On May 4, 2023, YLS will be co-sponsoring a social event for new attorneys and 3Ls, at the Railyard in Little Rock. Lastly, during the Annual Bar meeting in Hot Springs, YLS will be hosting its mixer on Thursday, June 15, 2023 at Oaklawn. We look forward to another unforgettable evening.

Although it remains dark and dreary outside, you can see the Young Lawyers Section continues ahead. I encourage all of you to get involved, stay involved, and come see us in the coming months.

You can reach Will Ogles at Wogles@wlj.com and 501-3710808.

Ballots Due March 18, 2023 for ArkBar 2023 Elections

Board of Trustees Candidates

Ballots were distributed for Board of Trustee positions representing District B. District B voters will receive a ballot to elect 11 Trustees (10 seats due to expiring terms and one vacant seat). Also on the ballot are the proposed amendments to the Association’s Constitution as approved by the Board of Trustees at the Special Meeting of the Board held January 25, 2023.

Pursuant to ArkBar's Constitution, Petitions for Board of Trustees, Secretary, and President were due to be filed by January 31st. Secretary Glen Hoggard certified the following Petitions:

Board of Trustees

A1/2 Lindsey Vechik

A1/2 William Prettyman

A2,3/2 Sarah Jewell

A2,3/2 Chris Hussein

A4/1 Kelsey Bardwell

B10 Richard Bright

B10 Randall Bynum

B10 Tom Carpenter

B10 Bob Edwards

B10 John Andrew Ellis

B10 Bobby Forrest