Young Lawyer’s Division

by michelle Nguyen, YLD President

What a year it has been for the Young Lawyers Division! I am happy to report that this past year, the YLD has been able to put on events that allow members to make community connections, strengthen relationships with other members and be involved with different charitable causes. Over this past year the YLD hosted a panel event for members to gain insight from seasoned attorneys and judges, filled backpacks with nutritious food for hungry children through Feeding the Gulf Coast, shopped for children through Operation Santa, wrapped gift boxes and filled them for The Birthday Party, organized items for Gulf Coast Kids House, and connected with other young professionals in our community outside of law through a joint networking event with Pensacola Young Professionals.

Additionally, in this most recent quarter, the YLD had a happy hour in April, sponsored by Beggs & Lane. Members were able to check out another local bar, this time - The Old Hickory Whiskey Bar. Members always enjoy coming out to the YLD happy hours as they enjoy making new connections and catching up with colleagues in a casual environment. Members were also enjoyed having special guest, Iris Elijah, President of the Florida Young Lawyers Division present at the happy hour.

In May, the YLD collaborated with Escambia County Teen Court and hosted a panel event for aspiring lawyers in the local community. Our panel of young lawyers from different legal practice areas spoke to local students about the practice of law, tips for resume building, and provided insight on the law school process. As several of our members have volunteered this past year with Escambia County Teen Court, it was natural to incorporate them with the YLD’s first ever panel event for high school students.

In June, YLD had another happy hour at Perfect Plain. This happy hour was special because members were encouraged to invite law clerks working in Pensacola. Inviting law clerks to the YLD events will allow future members to get plugged into the YLD early and provide insight into the connections they will make and opportunities they will find when joining as members. We are excited to put on more events this summer that will also include fostering the relationship we have with the future attorneys of our community.

As my term as YLD President comes to an end, I want to say how grateful I am for the opportunity to have been able to lead the ESRBA Young Lawyers Division this past year. I want to give a special thanks to my board: Brooke DiSalvo (Vice President), Logan Sliva (Treasurer), Alex Messmore (Secretary), Andrew Spencer (Past President), Mitchell DeKozan, William Hahn, Travis Morock, Sara Papantonio, and Mikaela Ziko. This year would not have been a success without each and every single one of you.

I am excited to see the YLD continue to grow and all the amazing opportunities that will be provided for members this upcoming year with the upcoming board, led by President, Brooke DiSalvo and Vice President, Alex Messmore.