Welcome from the YLD President, Renee E. Thompson

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It is a privilege to serve as this year’s President of the Young Lawyers Division (YLD) Board of Governors, which serves to help represent you on the important issues affecting young lawyers and to provide important programs and services to those entering the profession.  Since taking my seat on the Board of Governors seven years ago, I have witnessed first-hand how the YLD is able to consistently identify an area of need—whether it affects members of the Bar, various parts of the community, or our youth—and then produce useful and informative resources to address that need.   I think that the quality of our Division’s programs is indeed unmatched throughout the country.  The YLD not only explores new tools to enhance young lawyer’s capabilities and in turn their careers, but it also promotes opportunities for young lawyers to become recognized leaders in their communities. I am committed to promoting the YLD’s many positive contributions, and I believe in our mission, to promote, educate and serve the young lawyers of our state.

In addition, the YLD also provides programming for Continuing Legal Education courses designed specifically for Florida’s young lawyers.  As you may already know, The Florida Supreme Court mandates a Basic Skills Course requirement, and young lawyers are required to attend the “Practicing with Professionalism” (PWP) seminar, in addition to 3 basic skills courses to satisfy this requirement.  In our continuing effort to provide quality educational experiences for young lawyers, the YLD is currently in the process of revamping and retooling the PWP program with the revised PWP program to be unveiled later this year.

I invite each of you to explore the YLD’s website, launched under the leadership of Past YLD President John Stewart.  Our website has proven to be an invaluable tool for communicating with our both our local affiliates and the rest of the Bar about our new programs and past successes.  The YLD is committed to remaining on the forefront of technology in assisting its members.

As President, I am so grateful for the confidence that others have placed in me to serve the YLD, and I pledge to do my best to bring us all together in doing the important work of our Division. As we work hard this year to implement some new programs and continue our successful ones, I would be happy to hear from you about issues affecting both your professional and personal life and how the YLD can assist in making the future of our profession even brighter.  Please feel free to contact me at (352) 351-8003 or rthompson@mateerharbert.com.