On May 3, 2023, I was honored to attend the Torts Trial and Insurance Practice Spring Conference as a State Bar Young Lawyer Section representative. I aimed to network with other attorneys nationwide and learn more about trial practice. I attended the event from May 3, 2023, to May 6, 2023, and this Conference was one to remember.
I did a video interview with the ABA media and marketing group on my first date at Conference. The ABA is launching a new Tik Tok page, and my interview will be one of the first interviews on the page. The goal of the video interviewer was to learn the young lawyer’s perspective, and I was happy to oblige. This interview will be available in June on the ABA Tik Tok website.
The interviewer asked me several questions. However, one question stood out to me because the question sparked my mind to think about things I wished I had known before going to Law School. The interviewer asked me what advice I would give a future law student before law school. My answer to that question was simple but from the heart. I told the interviewer I would tell prospective law students to enjoy every moment and not dismiss their accomplishments by constantly looking ahead. I remember my graduation day and the joy on all my family’s faces at my accomplishment, but sadly all I could think about was studying for the Bar exam and trying to pass the exam. Looking back, I wish I had just enjoyed the moment and not looked ahead because nothing is guaranteed. That is why future law students should enjoy every moment in law school so they won’t have any regrets.
After my interview, I attended a few sessions, such as the Roe v Wade panel and the art of opening and closing statements. However, my favorite session was the committee dealing with diversity and retention. So many law firms have issues with diversity and retaining talented young lawyers. The panel focused on the data showing how younger lawyers leave firms at a higher rate than in the past. Lawyers in the past tended to work at a firm until retirement. However, the current trend is for younger lawyers to leave firms to focus on higher pay. The panel focused on ways to retain younger talent long-term, and here is what I took from them. First, a firm should have a track for younger associates to be able to advance and become partners one day. Partnership is essential, and without the ability to become a partner, a job can feel like a dead end. Second, firms should support younger and minority attorneys through inclusion. In the past, many companies would not give younger or minorities opportunities to prove themselves. Therefore, the panel focused on ways to level the playing field by granting more opportunities at firms.
Overall, the ABA Torts Trial and Insurance Practice Spring Conference was great. I was able to meet a lot of great legal minds and passed out many of my cards in an effort to network. As a young lawyer, I appreciated how the more seasoned attorneys tried to reach out to me, and they gave advice when asked. My experience was excellent, and I would love to be able to attend more conferences in the future.
Antwuan Hawkins, Levine Benjamin Law Firm
Inter Alia 