Greetings:

My name is Aja Diamond and I have the distinct pleasure of serving as the Chair of the National Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (NBA/YLD) for the 2011-2012 bar year. The NBA/YLD is the division of the National Bar Association that serves and represents new members of the legal profession. We provide young lawyers with the tools, network, and support needed to ensure personal and professional success. Membership in the NBA/YLD is open to National Bar Association members who are under 40 years old or admitted to practice for 10 years or less.

The theme I have chosen for the upcoming bar year is “Raising the Bar: The Young Lawyers Division – The Future Giants of the NBA.” The NBA has a rich legacy, and it is my hope that YLD members will continue to fuel this pipeline of greatness. We can accomplish this goal by honing our leadership and advocacy skills while giving back to our communities through pro bono and community service activities. Through our professional and personal success, the NBA will continue to foster as organization.

I invite you to become meaningfully involved in the Division in the upcoming year as we embark on leaving our mark on the profession and the NBA specifically. Some of the benefits of YLD membership are:

• Leadership opportunities: YLD is an excellent place to establish yourself as a leader amongst your peers and in the profession. We are interested in working with YLD members who have a strong interest in planning CLEs, writing articles, raising funds, planning networking functions and engaging in community service and pro bono activities.

• Reach: Access to the Division’s listserv is a source for all members to communicate career assistance and opportunities.

• Speaking opportunities: YLD is eagerly planning a CLE program that will be offered at NBA conferences throughout the year.

• Writing opportunities: YLD plans to prepare two (2) newsletters featuring articles written by our members and future members.

• Networking opportunities: Our success largely depends on the relationships we build. YLD is great place to meet and build relationships with attorneys that represent all segments of the legal profession through Division sponsored activities.

I look forward to a successful 2011-2012 bar year. I welcome you to YLD and hope you’ll enjoy all of the benefits membership has to offer! If you have any questions about YLD, please feel free to email me at adiamond@hunton.com or a.diamond@nbyld.org.