Summer 2021 | 17
Young Lawyer’s Division by Travis Morock
W
hat a year it has been!
Nobody expected the hurdles and obstacles confronting us in our professional and social life due to COVID-19. Despite the difficulties facing the Young Lawyers Division (YLD), I am glad to report that YLD was able to achieve its mission and goals by continuing its tradition of hosting social events for networking, contributing to local charities and promoting the professional development of its membership. During the last year, YLD has participated and partnered with new social and charitable organizations in the community. During the holidays, YLD participated in Operation Santa. Operation Santa is an annual event organized by Families First Network, in which toys and other children’s items are provided to those little ones who have experienced abuse or neglect. Members of YLD were able to shop together for items on the children’s wish lists and spend time getting to know other members, as well as have fun spreading Christmas cheer. YLD also partnered with the Northwest Florida Chapter of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers to host a happy hour social and
fundraiser for the benefit of our local Manna Food Bank. It was a great event that brought together two local lawyer associations. During that happy hour event, YLD was able to collect more than 128 pounds of food for Manna Food Bank. Most recently, YLD partnered with the Pensacola Area Realtor’s Young Professional Network and hosted a social event where we collected donations for Backpack Project USA, which is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing weekend food for elementary school children in Escambia County who have been identified as at risk for hunger. YLD would never have been able to navigate through the shifting COVID-19 regulations and
uncertainties while accomplishing its goals without support from its Board members (Caitlyn Miller, Michelle Nguyen, Cecily Parker, Logan Sliva and Andrew Spencer). Though the 2020-2021 is a year all of us will remember as the year of social distancing and isolation, it is a year that we can all relate to that will bring us together and allow us to appreciate the opportunities and events that YLD will have moving forward. There were many new faces present at the May happy hour ready to participate and be involved in YLD, and I am excited to watch our membership continue to grow. I am honored to serve as the YLD President and am looking forward to YLD’s continuing community impact all while bringing together young lawyers.
