For lawyers age 40 and younger and those in practice five years or less, regardless of age or member type. Access to all the YLD offers is free to VBA members.

The Young Lawyers Division promotes fellowship and professional growth while stimulating interest in the VBA and advancing its objectives. This community of 1,200 lawyers and law students encourages public service and service to the bar through many noteworthy projects.

The YLD organizes educational programming aimed at the young lawyer demographic.

This dynamic group also sponsors creative ways to network with more experienced lawyers and members of the judiciary.

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Signature Programs

The Young Lawyers Division of The Virginia Bar Association creates, nurtures and manages Activities and Projects that enhance the organizing and leadership skills of participants.

Many individual projects consistently have earned honors as some of the best bar association young lawyer programs in the nation. Collectively, they also gain recognition. Some recent examples:

• Model Judiciary Program
• Pro Bono Committee
• Opening Statement newsletter
• Credit Issues Project

New for 2025 is the YLD Leadership Academy, a one-day course presented in Williamsburg during the Annual Meeting in January. Space is limited. Registration is open.

How We Add Value

YLD involvement accelerates lawyer success.

How? By strengthening relationships that enhance business networks and through hands-on leadership training. Meanwhile, public service work improves our communities and enhances the legal profession in Virginia. Our young lawyer-leaders:

• Introduce the VBA through Law School Councils at accredited institutions in Virginia
• Organize a regional student competition in the National Moot Court contest
• Encourage all legal offices in Virginia to fight hunger through the annual Legal Food Frenzy
• Solicits from among members proposed legislation to improve access to justice.

The efforts of the YLD have gained national recognition for years. In fact, 2023 marked the 16th year in a row that this VBA division received a Awards of Achievement from the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for Comprehensive programming.

Propose an Event or Project

Resources

• Opening Statement, the newsletter of the YLD
• YLD Referral Resource
• YLD Event and Project Proposal Form
• YLD Legislative Proposal Form

The YLD comprises VBA members from all regions of Virginia. The legal experience ranges from the newest admittees to the bar to lawyers with perhaps 16 years in practice.

YLD Leadership

An Executive Board of Officers and up to 11 others governs the division. These lawyer-leaders meet four times a year -- at the VBA statewide meetings in January and July and at a resort in the spring and fall.

Contact a member of the leadership to ramp up your YLD participation.

YLD Awards

The VBA Young Lawyers Division present two awards each year, the Sandra P. Thompson award for outstanding work and long-term service, and the Emerson G. Spies award for enthusiasm, loyalty and dedication in the work of the VBA. View recipients.

Our Heritage

Did you know the Young Lawyers Division began as the Junior Bar Section of the VBA? Sometimes it's good to reflect on where we've been while looking at where we're going. Read YLD historical highlights.

The Young Lawyers Division serves a vibrant and important role in The Virginia Bar Association. In fact, several members who once led the YLD later in their careers became president of the VBA. YLD Chairs.