In the heart of Denver, Colorado, legal minds from across the nation gathered for the annual American Bar Association meeting. With a bustling agenda, discussions on resolutions, and moments that challenged the limits of attention spans, the event promised a glimpse into the pulse of the legal world. As a Michigan Delegate for the Young Lawyers Division (YLD), I had the distinct honor of participating in the event, navigating through the peaks of importance and the valleys of boredom, all while building camaraderie and defying the odds of survival (metaphorically speaking, of course).

While it might have seemed like a slow-motion assembly of legal aficionados, there was more to the annual meeting than met the eye. One couldn’t help but get excited about the opportunity to shape the legal landscape through resolutions such as amendments to the Modern Rules of Professional Conduct and the crucial issue of loan forgiveness in rural areas. While these matters didn’t evoke epic courtroom dramas, they bore the weight of importance, addressing the ever-evolving challenges of our profession. The very foundation of law was being crafted, all while electric scooters awaited outside.

As I sat through the YLD Assembly, I couldn’t help but muse on the concept of imposter syndrome – that pesky little voice in our heads that questions our place at the table. Just as some resolutions sought to redefine professional conduct, addressing our inner dialogues proved equally essential. With every lackluster moment during the assembly, I felt the imposter within me trying to sabotage the mission, tempting me to hop on one of those scooters and zoom away. Yet, it was in these quiet moments that the importance of bonding with colleagues became clear. Imposter syndrome is a common thread in the legal community, and the camaraderie we built provided a lifeline to sanity. We swapped stories of triumphs and trials, sharing not just legal strategies, but also coping mechanisms for those moments when the legal landscape seemed as daunting as the Rocky Mountains.

Speaking of the Rockies, our adventures outside the assembly hall proved to be the true highlight of the trip. What better way to forge connections than by exploring the mountains together? Our motley crew of YLS council members embarked on an epic journey in an 8-person SUV, tackling the twists and turns of the Rockies with the same determination we approached legal resolutions. As we debated who among us would be the ultimate survivor should our SUV transform into a real-life legal version of “Survivor,” laughter echoed through the mountain air. Our discussions shifted from amendments to Professional Conduct to the hypothetical strategies of wilderness survival.

As night descended, the bond we forged was further solidified around a crackling fire. The stories we shared seemed to transcend the boundaries of legal vernacular, speaking to our shared humanity – the ups, the downs, and the moments that define our collective experience. It was in these moments that I realized the meeting was not just about resolutions, but about the resolution to connect, support, and rejuvenate.

In the end, as the ABA annual meeting drew to a close, it became evident that the journey transcended its initial promises. The boredom and the lack of contested resolutions were just the backdrop against which a far grander narrative played out – one of personal growth, camaraderie, and the recognition that even in the dullest moments, the legal community is more vibrant than ever. So, let’s remember, it’s not just about the dry resolutions; it’s about riding the legal rollercoaster together, scooting through challenges, surviving the wild debates, and ultimately finding solace and strength in each other’s stories.

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Tanya Cripps-Serra, Olympia Development of Michigan