Council Information

Council Information

Mission Statement

The Young Lawyers Section provides education, information, and analysis about issues of concern through meetings, seminars, this site, public service programs, and publication of a newsletter.

The Young Lawyers Section bylaws provide that the objectives and purposes of the Young Lawyers Section "shall be to sponsor and carry on activities of particular interest and value to young lawyers in Michigan; to coordinate activities of the various local young lawyer groups in Michigan; to cooperate fully with, and as an integral part of, the State Bar of Michigan; and to cooperate with the various local bar associations in the State of Michigan, and the American Bar Association, including its Young Lawyers Division, in the promotion of their programs."

Founded in 1940, the Young Lawyers Section is the oldest and second largest section of the State Bar of Michigan. The YLS began as the "Junior Bar of Michigan." In 1961, its name was changed to the Young Lawyers Section.

Membership in the Young Lawyers Section is automatic for every member in good standing of the State Bar of Michigan who is under the age of thirty-six (36) or who has been admitted to practice for ten (10) years or less, whichever period is greater.

Statements made on behalf of the YLS do not necessarily reflect the views of the State Bar of Michigan.

Purpose

    1. To sponsor and carry on activities of particular interest and value to young lawyers in Michigan.

    2. To coordinate activities of the various local young lawyer groups in Michigan.

    3. To cooperate fully with, and as an integral part of, the State Bar of Michigan.

    4. To cooperate with the various local bar associations in the State of Michigan and the American Bar Association, including its Young Lawyers Division, in the promotion of their programs.

Organization

The Young Lawyers Section Council governs the Young Lawyers Section. It is comprised of Five (5) Officers (Chairperson, Chairperson-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer, and Ex-Officio Chairperson) as well as a maximum of Twenty-Four (24) elected or appointed Council Members, and Law Student Representatives from the Five (5) Law Schools located in the State of Michigan. Council members include Eight (8) representatives from District 1 (Macomb & Wayne Counties), Seven (7) from District 2 (Oakland County), and Nine (9) from District 3 (All other Counties. The chair is the chief executive officer who directs the activities, committees, and projects of the Young Lawyers Section.

The expectations for Council members are as follows:

      • Attend Executive Council meetings (Executive Council seats are declared vacant if a member has 2 consecutive unexcused absences or misses 3 meetings during the Bar year for any reason)
      • Develop and Implement at least one project during the Bar year
      • Submit an Annual Report of a project

The activities of the YLS are governed by the Bylaws of the Young Lawyers Section. Most Young Lawyers Section activities consist of projects and programs that benefit young lawyers and fit within one of the Bylaws. The projects and programs that arise from the Bylaws take place during a Bar year that commences on the 1st of October and ends on the last day of September. Projects must be approved by a majority of Council members before being implemented.