Chairperson's Welcome

    Welcome to the official website of the Federal Bar Association's Younger Lawyers Division!  My name is Jonathan Tobin, Chairman of the Younger Lawyers Division, "YLD."  Let me tell you a little bit about our division.

    The YLD is a group of over 5,000 lawyers who are under the age of 37 or who have been practicing for less than three years.  Members of the YLD also include law student associate members.  We are the FBA's largest division and one of  its most active.  The common bond between all members is that we practice in the federal courts or before federal administrative tribunals and agencies. 

    The YLD's board of directors is composed of six elected officers and eight at-large board members.  It is the duty of  each the board members to manage programs and efforts designed to serve members of the YLD.  One of the most important parts of our mission is to foster the development and continued vitality of local, chapter-based YLD's.

    The heart of the YLD is our national programs, and we are very proud of our accomplishments.  As you might guess, our programs are targeted at the needs and interests of law students and newly-minted attorneys.   For law students, the YLD's Thurgood  Marshall Moot Court Competition continues to grow each year.  This terrific program allows law students to travel to Washington, D.C. to argue  a case before a panel of experienced federal practitioners (many drawn from the federal judiciary).

    Law students can also gain valuable experience and perspective on federal government practice through the Summer Law Clerk Program.  This program attracts 300 to 400 law students each year and continues to serve as an excellent opportunity for students interested in public service to learn about available opportunities and even "get their foot in the door".

    In an effort to recognize and celebrate the achievements of younger lawyers, our board also presents the celebrated Younger Federal Lawyers Awards, honoring outstanding young practitioners in the federal sector. 

    As a service to all of the members of the Federal Bar Associaiton, the YLD sponsors an admission ceremony at the United States Supreme Court which takes in the spring at the United States Supreme Court.  Members are admitted to the bar of the highest court in the land and are sworn in before the full bench of the Supreme Court.

    One of the Board's most important functions is to assist in the creation of local YLD's and to assist in permitting them to carry out programs for their members.  To that end we have created a Start-up Kit which contains all that is needed to begin a YLD in your local chapter.  Through the generosity of the Shaw family, the YLD is also able to award a grant to local YLD's each year to fund worthy programs. We also stand ready to offer assistance to the local chapter in any way that we can.

    That is just a taste of what the YLD is about.  I invite you to browse our site and learn more.  You can call or email me at the address below with any other questions.

    If you are interested in meeting younger lawyers from around the country (and in having fun), become an active member of the YLD.   You won't regret it.

    Again, welcome!