Young Lawyers Division |
The Young Lawyers Division (YLD) is an active, energetic, and vibrant part of The Iowa State Bar Association and the community of Iowa. The Young Lawyers Division does not focus on a specific substantive area of the law, but instead, our purpose is to stimulate and cultivate the interest of new lawyers both in the profession and in their communities.
The YLD is comprised of members of the bar who have not yet attained 36 years of age and those who are older than 36 but have been practicing law for 10 years or less. The Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division serves young lawyers and law students of Iowa; promotes professional values and involvement in the Bar Association; and provides opportunities for its members to form connections with fellow attorneys, engage in professional development, and serve the legal community and the community at large.
JOIN THE ISBA YLD
The division does not focus on a specific substantive area of the law, but instead, our purpose is to stimulate and cultivate the interest of new lawyers both in the profession and in their communities. The Young Lawyers Division has an active Executive Council and committees that work to plan and execute social events, educational events, and community service initiatives. There are many opportunities to participate in the diverse events the Young Lawyers Division takes part in as well as to take a leadership role on our committees or on the Executive Council itself. The YLD welcomes the chance to connect and make an impact, and YLD members hope that you will choose to participate in YLD initiatives and events.
For more information on upcoming YLD events in your area, please follow the YLD Facebook page or visit the ISBA events calendar.
Are you a law school student looking for Young Lawyers Division contacts? Please connect with our Law School Liaisons:
- Jasmine Yant (Drake University Law School)
- Kate Jewell (University of Iowa College of Law)
- Margaret McCabe (Creighton Law School)
- Cortni Bowman (University of South Dakota - Knudson School of Law)
JOIN THE YLD FACEBOOK GROUP
(ISBA YLD members only)
YLD Executive Council
 |
Manuel Cornell YLD President Des Moines (515) 283-1000 |
 |
Aaron Jones YLD President-elect Des Moines (515) 283-4646 |
 |
Peter Johnson YLD Secretary Sidney (712) 374-2608 |
YLD District Representatives
The Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division elects a representative from each judicial district in Iowa. Below is a map of Iowa's judicial districts.
 |
Contact your YLD District Representative for more information on getting involved in your local community and upcoming YLD events in your area.
District 1A: Alyssa Carlson (Dubuque)
District 1B: Adam Babinat (Cedar Falls)
District 2A: Renee Redmond (Mason City); Katlyn Downs (Mason City)
District 2B: Kate Simon (Ames)
District 3A: Claire Solsma (Sanborn)
District 3B: Liam Mangan (Sioux City)
District 4: Kristen Bracker (Council Bluffs)
District 5A: Nick Spellman (Perry)
District 5B: Ally Bedwell (Norwalk)
District 5C: Jefferson Fink (Des Moines); Kacy Flaherty-Tarpey (Des Moines); Jacob Wassenaar (Des Moines); Joshua Hughes (Des Moines); Elizabeth Longcor (Des Moines); Clark Butler (Bondurant); Lydia Larson (Urbandale); Amber Crow (Des Moines); Tess Pocock (Des Moines)
District 6: Sophia Gustafson (Bettendorf); Emily Lavery (Cedar Rapids); Katherine Shimkat (Cedar Rapids); Geoffrey Van Deusen, III (Cedar Rapids)
District 7: Rhianna Lightle (Davenport)
District 8A: Ty Stewart (Centerville)
District 8B: Frederic Hayer (Burlington)
Young Lawyers Division Directory
Are you a member of The Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division looking for another YLD member? You can access the Young Lawyers Division member directory. You will need to log in to the ISBA website. Once in the member directory, you can search for ISBA YLD members by name, company, city, and state.
Join a YLD Committee
The Young Lawyers Division has energetic committees that focus on planning and running social events, educational programs, and community service projects. They’re all about creating meaningful experiences, supporting professional growth, and making a real impact in the community. Join a YLD Committee today!
JOIN A COMMITTEE
Below you will find a complete listing of all committee opportunities available to YLD members.
Community Engagement & Recruitment Committee
The YLD's Community Engagement & Recruitment Committee brings young lawyers together to make a real impact. The group focuses on building relationships, supporting local initiatives, and creating opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Contact Kathrine Shimkat for more information.
DEI Committee
This YLD DEI committee fosters an inclusive environment by promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession. Through community outreach, mentorship, and educational initiatives, the YLD strives to support underrepresented groups and ensure equal opportunities for all young lawyers to thrive.
Learn More
Know Your Constitution Committee
The YLD Know Your Constitution Committee is responsible for administering and managing the ISBA's Know Your Constitution program which involves a multiple-choice quiz and short essay contest on the U.S. Constitution for Iowa high school students.
Contact Jefferson Fink for more information.
Legislative Committee
The YLD Legislative Committee focuses on engaging new attorneys in the legislative process. Members track relevant legal developments, analyze proposed laws, and advocate for policies that impact the legal community.
Contact Jefferson Fink for more information.
Mentoring Committee
This committee is dedicated to supporting the ISBA Build the Bar Mentoring Program by connecting attorney mentees with experienced mentors. By fostering mentorship, members aim to empower young lawyers to grow with confidence and succeed in the legal field.
Learn More
Mock Trial Committee
The YLD Mock Trial Committee plays an integral role in planning, managing, and supporting the Iowa Mock Trial program for middle and high school students. Members collaborate with educators, legal professionals, and volunteers to create an immersive experience, teaching students essential legal skills like critical thinking, public speaking, and teamwork. Through our efforts, we help inspire the next generation of legal professionals!
Learn More
Philanthropy Committee
The Philanthropy Committee is committed to giving back to the community through meaningful charitable initiatives. The committee organizes and participates in various philanthropic efforts, from fundraising events to volunteer opportunities, supporting causes that align with our values.
Contact Mackensie Graham for more information.
YLD Standing Positions
The Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division supports executive, legislative, and judicial policies that lead to the reduction of the cost of legal education and the reduction of the student loans of its members.
Ask An Advocate
The Iowa State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division "Ask An Advocate" is an anonymous listserv service available to all YLD members. Ask An Advocate allows Young Lawyers the ability to email inquiries anonymously and receive feedback.
Ask an Advocate
Build the Bar Mentorship Program
Do you think that you can be a good mentor? Do you need a good mentor? If yes, we hope that you will register to participate in The Iowa State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division Build the Bar Mentorship Program. The mentoring program is designed to foster mutually beneficial relationships between the participating attorneys, reduce the isolation experienced by some beginning attorneys, improve the quality of legal services received by clients, and generally benefit the legal profession as a whole.
YLD Mentorship Program
Cady Law Opportunity Program
The ISBA YLD is proud to continue their commitment to fostering a more inclusive and robust legal profession by offering law students this unique opportunity. The Cady Law Opportunity Program, named after the late Justice Mark Cady, was a program previously operated by Drake Law School to give students from diverse backgrounds and experiences opportunities they may not readily have access to. More specifically, the Cady Fellowship honors students from various backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences with a 10-week paid internship or clerkship in private practice and corporate counsel settings between their 1L and 2L years.
LEARN MORE
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pledge
The Young Lawyers Division is committed to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion within Iowa’s legal profession. Many lawyers want to be part of the solution, but a lack of direction as to what attorneys can or should do to accomplish this goal has always been a barrier. Therefore, the Young Lawyers Division Diversity Committee created this “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Pledge,” consisting of voluntary, concrete action items that you and your legal employer can take to be part of this important work.
Take the Pledge
Iowa Civil Jury Verdict Reporter
Iowa Civil Jury Verdict Reporter, published by the Litigation Committee of the ISBA Young Lawyers Division, is a collection of Iowa civil jury verdicts. You can search hundreds of cases to view comparable verdicts and sample documents used.
Jury Verdict Reporter
ISBA Career Center
The ISBA Career Center is your go-to resource for making meaningful employment connections in the legal industry. Take advantage of ISBA Career Center features to help you do your research and find the right job opportunity.
Member Benefits
Searching for the latest in legal research? We have it! Need the most up-to-date ethics opinions, workers' compensation decisions, and jury instructions? Whatever the tool you're searching for to assist you in the practice of law, The Iowa State Bar Association has you covered.
Take a closer look at what your membership entails by viewing our New Attorney Guide.
View Member Benefits
YLD Resources
Comprehending the ins and outs of the practice of law can be overwhelming at times, especially for younger attorneys. As a group dedicated to young lawyer growth, the YLD is proud to offer a variety of resources for younger attorneys including how-to videos, articles of interest, and parental leave task force documents.
YLD Resources
Legal Grounds: Coffee & Conversations
Are you a young lawyer looking to connect with your peers? The Young Lawyers Division invites you to their next Legal Grounds event.
From 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., join the YLD at the Smokey Row Coffee Co. in Des Moines and a rotating eastern Iowa location for a morning of casual conversations and networking opportunities. This gathering, held on the second Tuesday of each month, provides a relaxed setting for young lawyers to meet, share experiences, and discuss the latest in and outside the legal world.
Reservations are not required as attendees are welcome to drop in at their convenience. Whether looking to catch up with old friends, make new connections, or simply enjoy a complimentary coffee and bagel, Legal Grounds is the perfect way to start your day.
|
|
Find more information and the Legal Grounds locations for eastern Iowa on the YLD Facebook page.
YLD FACEBOOK PAGE
