As a new voice addressing the broader KCBA community, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Alyssa Nevala, and I am the Chair of the KCBA New Lawyers Division. I’m grateful for this opportunity to highlight the KCBA New Lawyers Division (NLD), and importantly, the NLD’s Spring Soirée happening next month on April 4, 2024.
To me, March is the month to celebrate the arrival of spring and marvel at the evidence of new life all around us. My eyes frequently scan the hillsides for lime green leaves unraveling into darker hues, or billows of yellow Scotch broom cheering in the sunshine. Each passing day brings new promise. In March we also honor Women’s History, including the achievements of amazing women, as women continue to fight for equal rights.
I will turn now to the New Lawyers Division. The NLD Board of Trustees is a small, yet mighty group of new lawyers and professionals dedicated to a common mission: “to further the objectives of new and aspiring lawyers by representing the diverse interests of the Division’s members to the Association and the legal community, creating opportunities for continuing legal education, mentoring, and networking, as well as addressing the needs of the community through pro bono and volunteer service.” NLD’s mission highlights the various ways we go about serving new lawyers in King County, addressing the needs of our community, and supporting legal professionals. But, before I go any further, we must pause for a moment and recognize that the NLD has been a division within the KCBA for many years.
Early on, the KCBA recognized the importance of establishing a group dedicated to serving those new to legal practice because, well, it helps new lawyers feel less alone on their newfound journeys and unites new lawyers in their common interests. This is very important as the practice of law is best not attempted in a vacuum — it takes a village to help a new lawyer grow and thrive. Legal education provides the groundwork, but then what happens after graduation? Let’s just call it “the gap,” i.e. the space between knowing how the law functions on an intellectual level versus the realities of everyday legal practice handled by lawyers. Now, to help bridge this gap, or at least attempt to make it less painful, enter the NLD.
The NLD provides its members opportunities to attend CLEs, serve the community, and participate in social events.
First, the NLD has hosted several CLEs this year. The NLD has hosted: (1) “Arbitration/Mediation 102: Beyond the Basics” by the Honorable Dean S. Lum (ret.) & S. Karen Bamberger, Esq.; (2) “A Litigator’s Crash Course on AI: How Lawyers and Courts are Using AI for Finding Evidence, Cite Checking, and Timelines” with Jacqueline Schafer, Founder & CEO of ClearBrief; and (3) “Show the Brief: Using Visual Aids in Brief Writing” by William S. Bailey, a Professor from practice at the University of Washington School of Law.
Second, the NLD has served the community this year by gathering generous donations for Westside Baby, a local non-profit organization that provides basic items to children and babies in need. The NLD is also continuing a new tradition of hosting panel talks at both local law schools to help law students bridge the gap from law student to new lawyer. The NLD Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of reaching backwards to help others make this transition and provide mentorship in the process. While NLD members, as new lawyers within their first ten years of practice, do not yet have the experiential level of more seasoned attorneys, they certainly do have recent insights into making the transition to practice and can provide guidance.
Third, the NLD has hosted numerous social events to help our members make social connections across the KCBA community — including local law school happy hours, a fall game night, an evening of mini-golf, and an Escape Room experience. Social events are not only for having fun, but they are important for facilitating connections with practitioners across the broad spectrum of the legal profession.
And finally, on April 4th, 2024, the NLD will be hosting its annual Spring Soirée at the Rainier Club in downtown Seattle. The NLD Spring Soirée is a large event that, in part, honors the winner of the Mentor of the Year Award, a seasoned attorney or judge who has gone above and beyond to mentor a new lawyer of the KCBA. Mentorship is a critical part of a new lawyer’s growth, and the NLD annually recognizes outstanding mentors in our community. The Spring Soirée also provides attendees with the opportunity to support KCBA’s pro bono programs through its silent auction. The proceeds benefit various legal aid programs such as the Records Project, the Housing Justice Project, and Neighborhood Legal Clinics. To help make this all happen, the NLD Spring Soirée is supported by many generous sponsors who recognize the importance of the NLD and keeping these traditions alive for future generations.
This brings me full circle. March is a time to reflect on new life, new lawyers, and the future of the KCBA. The KCBA is a strong bar association, sustained by its members. We can all do our part — whether by serving on a KCBA committee, board or section, volunteering time to mentor new lawyers, or by finding other ways to give. I hope you will support the NLD by joining us at the Rainier Club on April 4th, 2024 for our annual Spring Soirée.
Thank you.
Alyssa Nevala is the Chair of the KCBA New Lawyers Division Board of Trustees and an Associate at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala where she handles sex abuse and workplace sexual harassment cases.
