Co-Chair
Adriana Castro
Co-Chair
Bruno Maggi
In 2004, a common understanding was reached that the IBA needed to do more to attract young lawyers to join the association and become active and engaged in its various committees, groups and initiatives. Therefore, the Young Lawyers' Committee (YLC) was founded with a clear focus on young colleagues and their aims and interests.
The major goal of all YLC activities is to create a win-win situation in which young colleagues can enhance their skills and networks thanks to IBA programmes, conferences and other projects, while simultaneously providing the IBA and its constituents with fresh ideas and a vivid contact to the next generation of legal experts and counsel.
All our activities have a significant impact on the promotion of the IBA amongst young lawyers worldwide and to showcase the membership benefits of the association. The Young Lawyer Training Courses, taking place globally, are one key undertaking of the committee, bringing young lawyers and senior legal professionals together. Apart from attracting young colleagues to join our Committee, we further motivate them to become active in the IBA’s Legal Practice Division, Section on Public and Profession Interest, Bar Issues Commission and Regional Fora.
The objectives of the Young Lawyers’ Committee are to identify, discuss and promote issues involving young lawyers both around the world and within the association. The YLC aims to achieve this by means of fluid communications with the other IBA Committees so that their relevant activities and programmes can be actively promoted to young lawyers as well as by getting young lawyers involved directly by recommending them as speakers. Other means of communication applied by the Committee are our Newsletters and E-bulletins, which are published around 3 times per year. Here, the Officers of the YLC report on their activities and projects while young colleagues from all over the world submit articles on topics in their jurisdictions they consider being of interest for the Committee.
The YLC has set up a network of National Representatives worldwide. The overall mission of National Representatives is to facilitate contacts between young IBA members within a jurisdiction, and to strengthen the links between them and their national and local young lawyers’ associations and the international community.
15 Sep - 20 Sep 2024
Mexico City , Mexico
In an era of relentless innovation and disruption, are lawyers keeping pace with the rest of the world, or do they need to create purple cows? In this essay, submitted as part of the IBA Senior Lawyers’ and Young Lawyers’ Committee Scholarship, Stella Loong discusses what the legal profession can learn from Fintechs.
In an era of relentless innovation and disruption, are lawyers keeping pace with the rest of the world, or do they need to create purple cows? In this essay, submitted as part of the IBA Senior Lawyers’ and Young Lawyers’ Committee Scholarship, Stella Loong discusses what the legal profession can learn from Fintechs.
For good or bad, the digital revolution is transforming the world. The legal profession is not untouchable. Our duty is to promptly embrace the challenge, engage in the conversation and make sure that this will enhance our practice rather than make us obsolete.
An article looking at the world of work for young lawyers in the post-Covid-19 landscape, and the advantages they have.
The young lawyers of today are the senior leaders of tomorrow, so understanding their concerns today will help to shape the profession for the future. Relevant across the globe, this research should be carefully considered with action in mind.
This survey report is the IBA’s contribution to aid this discussion and process. It should enable the voices of younger members of the legal profession to be heard, persuade more senior members to listen and, we hope, take the necessary action to ensure the continuity of their business or activities.
The IBA Legal Policy & Research Unit (LPRU) and the IBA Young Lawyers’ Committee have worked with Acritas to compile this report, which provides valuable insight for decision-makers in the legal profession.
Each year, the IBA’s Young Lawyers’ Committee presents an award to a young lawyer who has shown not only excellence in their work and achievements in their career to date, but also a commitment to professional and ethical standards as well as a commitment to the larger community.
The award, created in partnership with the IBA and LexisNexis, is in recognition of William Reece Smith Jr. A former IBA President, William Reece Smith Jr, who passed away in 2013, distinguished himself as one the finest and most respected legal experts. In a career spanning more than 50 years, he demonstrated leadership in the legal profession as an accomplished lawyer, an extensively published legal scholar and lecturer, a mentor and an outstanding community servant. In addition, Mr Smith exemplified a commitment to advancing many charitable and civic causes, most notably in his support for legal services to the poor. LexisNexis is delighted to sponsor an award in his name to recognise a young lawyer who has demonstrated outstanding professionalism.
The winner is invited to accept the award during the IBA’s Annual Conference. LexisNexis sponsorship provides a contribution of $5,500 to their attendance.
Watch the Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award 10th Anniversary film, featuring interviews with previous years' winners of the prestigious award:
The Young Lawyers' Committee also coordinates the activities of the following subcommittees/working groups.