The Young Barrister's Society

I have just started up a new society called the Young Barrister's Society.  The website can be found at www.youngbarristers.ca.  I am sending out an email tomorrow to all the lawyers I know which reads as follows:

 

On February 7, the first meeting of the Young Barristers’ Society (www.youngbarristers.ca) will be held at the University Club of Toronto. (www.universitycluboftoronto.ca). 

The speakers are still TBA but I am optimistic that we will have an impressive line up.  The cost will be minimal ($20.00 to $30.00) as part of the purpose of the club is to have affordable programs, events, and seminars for newer calls.  This price will include food (not dinner but very good cocktail lounge fare), and there will be a cash bar for alcohol.  The food and wine at the University Club is excellent and affordable considering the quality.

Some of the other distinctions with Society over others (like the CLA, or the Advocate’s Society) is as follows:

• A membership that is restricted to lawyers who have been called for 10 years or less;
• A unique meeting spot at the prestigious, and otherwise private, University Club of Toronto;
• An amazing food and wine experience from the University Club’s exclusive menu;
• Affordable meeting  and membership fees;
• An impressive and invaluable series of guests, seminars, and events; and,
• A welcoming atmosphere for young lawyers to share information with peers and senior counsel to overcome problems and obstacles with being a young litigator. 

This society is also not limited to criminal defence lawyers and is open to any newer litigator including Crowns, civil litigators, and even mediators, (although for the first while it may be primarily focused on criminal law issues until interest is gained from other areas of law).

In order to be eligible for membership, you must

a) Be a member and in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada*

b) Called to the bar after January 1^st 1999 (8 years)

c) Practice primarily in any area of litigation

* Although law students and students-at-law cannot become members, they are permitted to attend the events provided upon request and approval.

If interested in joining, please email me at membership@youngbarristers.ca.  You can also find more information at the website www.youngbarristers.ca or by the Google Forum I have set up at http://groups-beta.google.com/group/ybscanada. 

Please reply one way or the other so I can email you details of the first event. 

I am also in the process of organizing an executive.  If you are interested being part of the executive, please let me know.  I am not sure how this will be determined yet but it would be nice to have an idea of who would be willing to assist in setting these events up and taking care of the things that need taking care of in running such a society.

Although the Society is in a stage of infancy, I believe that there is tremendous potential and opportunity for young lawyers to gain a rewarding experience from participation (the food and wine list alone with be worth your cost of attending) both professionally and socially.  I’m looking forward to your responses. 

Yours truly,

SR

 

I think this will be a success.  Please spread the word.