Young Lawyers Section (YLS) - YLS Committees

These committees create and manage various projects which offer tailored volunteer opportunities. Some volunteer commitments involve limited time and activity while others involve monthly participation. In addition, the YLS sponsors social activities, which are publicized in the Multnomah Lawyer newsletter.

There are five YLS standing committees:

Professional Development and Education Committee

This committee organizes all CLE seminars presented by the YLS and assists young lawyers in developing their careers. The non-CLE topics include contract lawyering, client development, financial planning, and setting up a practice. These seminars address the needs of attorneys in practice less than five years.

Chair: Kimberly Griffith, US District Court

Membership Committee

This committee plans and encourages members to participate in the YLS with activities and services designed to increase the personal and professional interaction of YLS members. The Committee sponsors the New Admittee Social, a social for third year law students, a meet-the-judges social and several additional drop-in socials held throughout the year. The committee also publishes the New Admittee Survival Guide.

Chair: Christiane Fife, Schwabe Williamson & Wyatt

Pro Bono Committee

This committee encourages lawyers to donate their legal skills and time to the poor by planning projects that provide pro bono participation. The committee writes and publishes a juvenile rights handbook and a domestic violence handbook; coordinates volunteers for homeless youth programs; and sponsors a nonprofit project pairing volunteer attorneys with nonprofit organizations.

Chair: Susan O’Toole, Rizzo Mattingly Bosworth

Service to the Public Committee

This committee informs, educates and serves the general public, to improve the public image of lawyers. The committee plans and conducts Community Law Week, coordinates the Imprint Program at local schools, presents a dropout prevention video at local schools and provides Multnomah County Animal Services volunteer hearings officers. The committee also schedules community service days, which pairs volunteer lawyers with local nonprofits.

Chair: Jennifer Durham, Bodyfelt Mount et al 

The YOUthFILM Project Committee

This committee plans, organizes and implements the annual YOUthFILM Project. The project, a part of Community Law Week, is a student film-making contest that encourages local youth to express themselves creatively, while learning more about our government and justice system.

Chair: Lainie Dillon, Stoel Rives