During the first week of February, members of the State Bar of Michigan headed to Louisville, Kentucky for the 2024 ABA mid-year conference. Most of the crew arrived earlier in the week, so when I was picked up from the airport on Friday, we headed straight to the countryside for a bourbon tour, in true Kentucky fashion. Members of SBM toured Jim Beam and Maker’s Mark, where we learned about the history and process of making whiskey. The highlight of these tours was watching people dip their own bottles in wax to seal them. Later that night, the group gathered for dinner at a historic tavern. Like the whiskey makers, dinner was a reminder that the best success can be had when you surround yourself with hard working, good people.
The next morning, the Young Lawyers Division Section kicked off their meeting. Like all meetings, delegates had to sign in and get certified in order to vote on the proposals. Once certified, each delegate received the traditional, red ribbon to affix to the bottom of their name tag. However, unlike any ABA meeting I had attended before, in addition to the red ribbons, there was a collection of ribbons attendees could choose from to add to their tags. These included wholesome messages like “Our team rocks!” and “Be happy!” tags. Knowing their audience, young lawyers could also choose ones that read “official something,” “legal rebel,” “diva,” and “my ribbon is better than yours.” Our team had fun picking out tags that fit our personalities. It reminded me that the ABA wants young lawyers to feel welcome, represented, and that there is a place for them within the organization and legal profession.
Following the voting and lunch, our team went to listen to SBM’s Darnell Barton’s People of Color panel discussion. The panel featured Lonita Baker, Rudy Monterrosa, Betty Balli Torres, and Demetrius Holloway. The speakers talked about the barriers they had faced during their careers, how they dealt with difficult emotional cases, and what the next generation of lawyers can do to continue to make the profession better. Of all the incredible speakers, Breonna Taylor’s attorney, Lonita Baker, was especially impactful as she was very candid about the challenges that came with the national attention the case gathered. It was inspiring to see how she truly fought for and deeply cared for Breonna’s family. Ms. Baker was a reminder for all in the profession of what it means to advocate for our clients and fight injustice.
After the panel, we had time to explore the city. I headed to the Big Four Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that crosses the Ohio River and spans Indiana and Kentucky. It was a sunny day outside, and the bridge was filled with people running, biking, and walking from one state to the other. From the Kentucky side, the Indiana side looked small and the riverfront looked less developed. When I reached the other side, I was surprised to see cute little outdoor eating areas, families playing in the park, and a cozy small-town vibe. From the Indiana side, the skyline of Kentucky could be more fully appreciated and seen as the sun started to set. It was a good reminder of the importance of making sure we’re never too locked into our perspective to not see a different point of view.
Later that night, we went to the Brown Hotel for dinner. The hotel was a historic building that was complete with portraits of horses on the wall, antique furniture, and bourbon-inspired desserts. Like most SBM gatherings, it was filled with stories, laughter, and good food. Overall, although it was a short weekend, I was thankful for the time spent together. The trip was a reminder to zealously advocate for your clients while fighting for change and that the best way to do that is to be yourself and own your ribbon. Sometimes you may need to shift your perspective, but you’ll increase your chances of success if you surround yourself with supportive people. Lucky for young lawyers across Michigan, the SBM is filled with these types of people.
Emma Green (District 2) is an associate attorney at Reed Law Group, PC. where she practices family law in Ann Arbor, MI.
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