July 2008 Nevada Lawyer

YOUNG LAWYERS SECTION

YLS: REFLECTIONS ON MY YEAR AS CHAIR

BY JASMINE MEHTA, YOUNG LAWYERS’ CHAIR

As my year as chair of the Young Lawyers’ Section draws to a close (as well as my year of article-writing), not only would I like to take this opportunity to reflect on our accomplishments over the past year, but I would also like to take a look back at the history of YLS from its inception.

Judge N. Patrick Flanagan in the Second Judicial District Court was gracious enough to provide some insight into the history of the section. According to Flanagan, the seeds of the State Bar of Nevada Young Lawyers Section were planted at an American Bar Association (ABA) annual meeting in New York City in 1986. (In August 2008 the ABA will have its annual meeting again in New York City.) Flanagan met Kathleen England at the annual meeting. England was interested in starting a Young Lawyers Section of the state bar because, as she has said, she was tired of being overlooked for the councils of other sections, so she decided to create one. Flanagan and England attended the State Bar of Nevada Board of Governors meeting in October 1986 to pitch the idea of this new section.

Flanagan recalls that the Board of Governors was initially skeptical of the idea. “First, the Board of Governors wondered why the State Bar of Nevada needed a Young Lawyers Section to begin with. They questioned, ‘Don’t we already represent young lawyers as well?’” But Flanagan and England prevailed. They explained that a Young Lawyers Section would be a great resource for providing leadership training and other opportunities to young lawyers. They pointed out that about 60 percent of the members of the State Bar of Nevada qualified as young lawyers, a fact which caused the Board of Governors some concern. To allay some of their concerns, Flanagan and England agreed not to vote in block.

That same month, the first YLS Executive Council was formed. You may recognize the names of the attorneys who made up the council: In addition to Flanagan and England, Barry Leiberman, Scott Scherer, Ellen Whittemore, John Petty, Sharon Classon, Kathy Reynolds and Gary Fairman served on the council. Jim Jimmerson was designated as a liaison to the Board of Governors.

When the YLS Council went before the Board of Governors for approval of its initial budget, “[the Board of Governors] asked us to take on the unauthorized practice of law (scriveners) as a community project,” recalls Flanagan. This lawsuit turned into the Greenwell v. State Bar of Nevada, 108 Nev. 602, 836 P.2d 70 (1992) decision. In that case, a business that initially provided typing services to attorneys eventually began providing services directly to individuals seeking legal assistance. The state bar sought injunctive relief against the unauthorized practice of law. The Supreme Court of Nevada upheld the trial court’s order granting injunctive relief, but recognized a need for the provision of legal services to those who can’t necessarily afford an attorney.

“In that case, the Supreme Court asked the State Bar of Nevada to examine the unmet legal needs of poor Nevadans. This lead to the formation of the Access to Justice Committee and a sea of change in the practice of law in Nevada. As a result, many rule changes relating to the provision of pro bono legal services to poor and moderate-income Nevadans have encouraged many lawyers, from solo practitioners to the largest law firms in our state, to donate their time and talent to the provision of legal service to the poor,” said Flanagan. In fact, the Boyd School of Law has risen to this challenge and taken the forefront position in training its students to do pro bono work. “Thus, more lawyers and judges are involved in pro bono work today than ever before,” says Flanagan.

The YLS has continued its mission of public and community service for more than 20 years. We have more programs than ever – programs designed to increase diversity in the legal profession; to educate school children about the meaning of the rule of law and the role that laws play in our everyday lives; and to provide CLE programming specifically targeted to the issues that young lawyers face.

This year alone, we:

In addition, this year we undertook a winter coat drive for schoolchildren in Reno.

I am proud and honored to have served as chair of the YLS, and look forward to serving one more year on the council. Flanagan’s words best reflect my feelings, when he says:

“I am most proud of the many young lawyers who have given back to their community. Many of the recent past presidents of the State Bar of Nevada have come from the ranks of the YLS. This has fundamentally changed the state bar into an organization dedicated to the improvement of both our profession and the lives of the people in Nevada. They have carried on that mission of community service and access to justice which has made Nevada a better place for all to live and work. It all started with a chance meeting in 1986. I know my life has been enriched by my association with all these young lawyers, and I wish the section continued success.”