President's Message - Affiliate Outreach Conference
Fellow Florida Young Lawyers,
As we approach this year’s Affiliate Outreach Conference, I am reminded of the first time that I attended this conference approximately five years ago. I immediately knew that the young lawyers in attendance had the positive energy and enthusiasm needed to truly make a difference to our profession. Not only were the young lawyers clearly inspirational leaders in the making, their ideas were astonishing. It is a remarkable thing to hear the ideas of individuals who do not believe they can fail. From implementing creative programs to assist underprivileged litigants to developing service projects focused on improving the community, it was clear that great things were happening all over Florida. To me, the obvious immediate benefit was getting to know the statewide young lawyer leaders. In addition, however, it was apparent that by putting these individuals together, their great ideas would rub off on each other. As a result, we have found that the AOC is in many ways a mixing pot that helps spread these great ideas all over the state.
Since my initial attendance, the YLD has also seen the emergence of the YLD’s Law Student Division. While law students had always been invited to attend before, in the last 4 years, the Law Student Division Board of Governors began to hold one of its meetings at the AOC. With Governors representing each of Florida’s law schools in attendance, we now have the ability to reach an audience in an impactful way as never before available. These law student leaders from each of their schools not only learn from their experience at the AOC but also provide the young lawyers in attendance with a different and critical perspective on the profession and its future.
In addition to being a very enjoyable experience, this year’s AOC will again deliver on its promise to reach out to the young lawyer leaders and law student leaders all over the state in order to connect them to each other and, most importantly, to help spread their great ideas for improving our profession. I hope to see you there!
Sean T. Desmond
President of The Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division
