Young Lawyers Division Job & Resource Fair draws hundreds
Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes talks with a number attendees at the YLD’s Florida Bar Job & Resource Fair in Ft. Lauderdale. Participants had the opportunity to meet and interview with more than 70 employers, attend CLE sessions, receive professional headshots and résumé reviews, and network with judges, elected officials, and Bar leaders.
More than 400 young lawyers and law students gathered in Ft. Lauderdale in March for the Young Lawyers Division’s first-ever Florida Bar Job & Resource FairJob & Resource Fair, an event organizers say exceeded expectations and resulted in several on-the-spot job offers.
Held March 6 at the Broward County Convention Center, the fair was a collaborative effort between the YLD and The Florida Bar Board of Governors designed to connect new attorneys with employers while offering practical career-development resources.
Participants had the opportunity to meet and interview with more than 70 employers, attend CLE sessions, receive professional headshots and résumé reviews, and network with judges, elected officials, and Bar leaders.
YLD President Arti Hirani said the enthusiasm throughout the day reinforced the value of creating opportunities for young lawyers to connect with employers and mentors.
YLD President Arti Hirani said the event drew attendees from across the country and far surpassed the turnout organizers initially expected.
“The joint project went extremely well,” Hirani said. “We had people fly in from New York, California, and Georgia just to attend this job fair, and we had over 70 employers.”
Organizers expected a couple hundred attendees, she said, but more than 400 lawyers and law students ultimately participated, with standing-room-only crowds at times.
“We had CLE presentations, résumé reviews, headshots — and we had three employers offer young attorneys jobs on the spot,” Hirani said. “There were many in-person interviews that day as well.”
The event also drew strong participation from Bar leadership. Hirani said more than half of the YLD Board attended, along with members of the Board of Governors.
Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes spent the entire day at the event speaking with attendees.
“It meant a lot to the young lawyers to be able to talk with her and ask questions,” Hirani said. “They were so excited to hear her advice and heartfelt congratulations.”
Baker-Barnes said one of her priorities as president has been strengthening collaboration with the Young Lawyers Division and investing in the next generation of attorneys.
“One of the things I really wanted to do this year was work jointly with the Young Lawyers Division and emphasize the importance of investing in the success of our young lawyers,” said Baker-Barnes, noting they are “truly are the future of our profession,” and it is incumbent upon the Bar to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful.
Baker-Barnes said two things stood out during her day at the job fair: the energy of the participants and the quality of the employers who attended.
“There were brand new lawyers, two-year lawyers, five-year lawyers, seven-year lawyers, 10-year lawyers at this job fair,” she said. “We were able to give them practical and meaningful advice and direction.”
Employers ranged from large national firms to government offices and smaller practices, she said, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Holland & Knight, and Cole, Scott & Kissane.
The event also drew support from the judiciary and Florida’s law schools. Baker-Barnes said buses of law students were sent to the fair, giving them the opportunity to interact directly with practicing attorneys and judges.
U.S. District Court Judge Alan Forst, who attended and spoke at the event, later told Baker-Barnes it was among the most impressive professional gatherings he had seen.
“He said it was one of the most incredible events he’d attended since being a lawyer — and he’s been a lawyer for 40 years,” she said.
Hirani said the enthusiasm throughout the day reinforced the value of creating opportunities for young lawyers to connect with employers and mentors.
“It was a complete and absolute success,” she said. “We really feel like we made a difference in a lot of young lawyers’ lives.”