The Young Lawyers Division was established as a committee of the King County Bar Association in 1949. As interest and activities grew, it became a section, and in 1988 was formalized as a division with a separate board.

YLD provides professional development opportunities and information resources to lawyers who have been in the profession for five years or less or who are 36 years old and under. YLD also delivers law-related services to the general public, including community education and information as well as advice and consultation through the Neighborhood Legal Clinics Clinic Schedule For information regarding other legal services please refer to the Community Legal Service Programs.

YLD has a board of 16 volunteer trustees. The Board oversees YLD's member services and community programs.