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As the Bar year draws
to a close, I am pleased to report that more and more
YLS members are becoming active in the projects of
the Section. The strength of the Section is found
in its members, and the more that take part the stronger
the Section.
40 Hours for the Future
A new initiative that
we announced last June was the "40 Hours for
the Future" recognition. The YLS Executive Council
has asked all young lawyers across the state to let
us know if you have completed at least forty (40)
hours of service to the community between June 2004
and May 2005. We are confident that young lawyers
are among those that give the most back to their communities,
and this should be recognized. Several of you have
returned a form, but we are sure that more of you
have completed the necessary hours of service. You
may perform the service in whatever area or manner
you prefer. All we ask is that you let us know about
it. You will find a cut-away form at the bottom of
this page to return to the Bar Association before
May 30, 2005.
Disaster Relief
One of the lesser known
responsibilities of the YLS is our responsibility
for having a plan in place to respond to natural disasters
that impact Arkansas. This program is coordinated
with the American Bar Association and the Federal
Emergency Management Agency. Once FEMA declares an
emergency, the YLS is contacted to provide appropriate
legal assistance for those harmed by the disaster.
Most recently, we have been called upon to provide
assistance to victims of tornadoes and ice storms.
Stephanie Potter has agreed to take the lead in coordinating
Arkansas' "team" that will be ready to respond.
Stephanie is working to have a contact person in each
county in Arkansas. If you would like to participate,
please let Stephanie know at (903) 794-2283 or
steppotter@msn.com.
Thank you Stephanie for taking on this project.
Law Day
As I write this column,
the Law Day committee is hard at work preparing to
take the "We the Jury" program into high
schools across the state. Michelle Cauley and Shannon
Smith have done an excellent job coordinating the
YLS's Law Day activities. The committee they have
been working with includes Chilesa Ready, Gwen Rucker,
Cliff McKinney, and Tony Juneau. Thanks to each of
you for volunteering your time and talents. The efforts
have been retooled this year to concentrate the efforts
of YLS members to fifteen schools that have dedicated
at least two class periods to the presentation. Eleventh
and twelfth grade students will be treated to a trial,
and they will serve as the jury. Law Day continues
to be an excellent way for our youth to be exposed
to the legal system and the legal profession.
YLD Spring Regional Conference
The YLS hosted its first
Regional Conference for the Young Lawyers Division
of the American Bar Association this April. The Conference
allowed bar leaders from the region to gather together
to share project ideas and assist each other in ways
to provide public and member service projects. In
addition to conference programming, participants were
provided with four hours of CLE, a reception honoring
the three Past Presidents of the American Bar Association
from Arkansas (U.M. Rose, Edward Wright, and Philip
Anderson), and a barbecue dinner and tour at the Clinton
Presidential Center. The Conference was well-attended
and successful by all accounts. While several people
had a hand in pulling the Conference together, one
deserves recognition. David Sterling's tireless effort
really made the event possible. He set things in motion
by designing the original publicity pamphlet and wrapped
things up by making sure all the guests were treated
to the best Little Rock has to offer. David deserves
our thanks and gratitude for ensuring that we put
our best foot forward when hosting our first Regional
Conference.
Thank You
While the YLS is dependent
upon its volunteer membership to implement and continue
its projects, I want to extend an overall thank you
to a few people whose support for the YLS is critical
and unwavering. I know that all that have been involved
with the YLS would agree with me in saying that Judith
Gray's efforts and support far exceed anything that
could be expected or anticipated. Thank you Judith
for being the one constant influence that has guided
the YLS as its membership constantly changes. Also,
we have been very fortunate to have the support and
encourage of the President of the Bar Association,
Fred Ursery, and the Board of Governors. Finally,
I say thank you to you for allowing me to serve as
the Chair of the Section. I am excited about the future
of the YLS and know that it will flourish in the year
to come under the very capable leadership of Patrick
Wilson.•
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