By Anthony “Nino” Martino
As president of the Young Lawyers Division, I would like to encourage all young lawyers to get more involved professionally and to help us make a difference in Hillsborough County. We have one of the largest and strongest young lawyers divisions in the state, which enables us to provide a wide array of opportunities to not only network with other lawyers and judges but to help the less fortunate in Hillsborough County.
If you are interested in the networking aspect of our Bar association, then I encourage you to attend the YLD’s Happy Hours, Quarterly Luncheons, Coffee at the Courthouse, Golf Tournament, Cornhole Tournament, and the YLD’s booth at the Judicial Pig Roast/Food Festival. Coffee at the Courthouse allows young lawyers an opportunity to interact with the judiciary from Hillsborough County in an informal setting, and the Cornhole Tournament is held annually in partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters to raise funds and awareness for the group’s programs in the local community.
If you prefer programs designed to help you grow professionally, then you may be interested in our Judicial Shadowing Program, State Court Trial Seminar, or the 13th Circuit Mentoring Program. Judicial Shadowing provides the opportunity for young lawyers to shadow judges through trials and proceedings while receiving mentoring directly from the bench. The State Court Trial Seminar focuses on trial practice/skills and is presented by many top trial attorneys in Hillsborough County. The mentoring program provides young lawyers with meaningful access to experienced lawyers for guidance.
If you would like to give back to our community, then I recommend Wills for Heroes, the Attorney Ad Litem Program, Family Forms Clinic, Holidays in January, Steak and Sports Day, Luncheon Program at Rampello Downtown Partnership School, Law Week and the High School Mock Trial Competition. Holidays in January brings together foster children, foster parents, and young lawyers in the Tampa Bay area for a fun-filled day of activities and holiday gift-giving. During Law Week, the YLD offers tours of the courthouse, mock trials, and classroom speaking engagements for the children of Hillsborough County. Steak and Sports Day is a day of grilling and outdoor fun with local abandoned, abused, neglected, and orphaned children.
YLD members not only attend but help plan these projects and events, so if you would like to assist, please join one of our committees. Our events can always use more volunteers and new faces as we continue to enhance our programming. For more information, go to the YLD link found at www.hillsbar.com or visit our Facebook page. We look forward to your involvement in the YLD as we continue our tradition of making a difference in Hillsborough County!
Please note the upcoming annual Golf Tournament in October. We expect a full field as we have had in the past, so make sure to get your registration in and take advantage of the early-bird discount. The tournament is open to lawyers and non-lawyers, so encourage your shareholders, colleagues, clients, and friends to join us on the course.
As the incoming president, I am excited to continue the YLD events that have defined our organization over the years, as well as enhance their reach. However, the extent of our reach is limited only by the participation of our members.
