Message From the Chair
Welcome to the Younger Lawyers Division of the Federal Bar Association. As the 2024-2025 Chair of the Younger Lawyers Division Board, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the important role younger lawyers play in the YLD, the Federal Bar Association, and the legal community at large.
In today’s rapidly changing environment, fresh perspectives and innovative ideas are more valuable than ever. The legal landscape—both in terms of substantive law and how law is practiced—is evolving, with challenges such as advances in technology, shifts in client expectations, and pressing social issues. But these challenges also present incredible opportunity. Engagement, viewpoints, and leadership are crucial as we navigate these developments.
With more than 5,000 members, the YLD represents the newest additions to the federal bar, composed of members who have been admitted to practice for less than 15 years. We engage younger members of the FBA and serve as a resource to local Chapters and other Sections and Divisions looking to engage with younger members. I encourage everyone to actively participate in our upcoming initiatives, including educational programming and networking events and workshops designed to enhance skills and expand professional networks.
The voices of younger lawyers matter, and we want to hear thoughts on how we can better support younger lawyers’ growth and address the challenges younger lawyers face. Calling all authors and editors who would be interested in helping write for or publish for the YLD’s Perspectives e-newsletter! The YLD is also always looking for YLD members to serve on committees that help plan (among other things) our CLE offerings, moot court competition, and networking events.
I would be remiss if I also did not take this opportunity to highlight just a few of the many ways that the Younger Lawyers Division of the FBA supports you and the federal practice community. Our Education Committee is working hard to plan great CLEs and webinars on timely topics for our members. We are also excited to be hosting the YLD’s annual Thurgood Marshall Memorial Moot Court Competition and United States Supreme Court Admissions Ceremony in Washington, D.C. You can find information on the YLD’s ongoing programming on our website: www. fedbar.org/younger-lawyers-division/ (and we are hoping to reinvigorate our social media accounts this year). We hope to see as many of you at the FBA Annual Meeting in Minneapolis on September 12-13, 2025, where the YLD bestows its Younger Federal Lawyer Awards and Robyn J. Spalter Outstanding Achievement Award to nominated and selected younger lawyers who attain high standards of professional achievement.
On a personal note, I been a commercial litigator and class action defense attorney for more than 10 years, and I have been involved with the FBA YLD for much of that time. Starting as a 2L summer associate and rising to the ranks of partnership at my same law firm that has more than 1200 lawyers worldwide, I have found the practice of law to be both incredibly rewarding, but also demanding. The FBA—and in particular, the YLD—has been an invaluable resource in navigating the complexities that come with learning the law and how to practice it, hearing from and appreciating diverse perspectives and experiences, and (not to be understated) creating new, life-long friendships.
I hope the experiences of other younger lawyers will be the same. Thank you all for your dedication and enthusiasm. Together, we can shape the future of our profession.
Lauren Caisman
FY25 Younger Lawyers Division Chair
If you are interested in learning more about this division, its programs, or publications please contact sections@fedbar.org