From September 27th to 29th, the State Bar of Michigan’s Young Lawyers Section (YLS) held its annual retreat in Bay City, Michigan. It was a packed weekend focused on connecting with new members, discussing important business, and setting plans for the upcoming bar year. We kicked things off by meeting new faces and getting reacquainted with colleagues.

One of the main points of discussion was reviewing and proposing changes to the bylaws. It may not be the most thrilling task; however, it was essential for ensuring the section continues to operate smoothly. The conversations were thorough and insightful, and by the end, we had a solid direction for the changes we wanted to see in the coming year.

A key moment of the weekend was the handover of the president’s gavel. Our outgoing chairperson, Tanya Cripps-Sera, officially passed it to our new chairperson, Silvia Mansoor. It was a brief yet significant moment, marking the transition in leadership and the start of new initiatives for the year ahead. Tanya highlighted the achievements, programs, and progress we made under her leadership. Silvia outlined her plans for how we can continue to build on what the young lawyers have accomplished and how to build on that momentum going forward.

After our morning meeting, we worked with an enneagram coach to learn more about our individual personalities and how we can use our strengths to work together as a team. We then jumped into an action planning session where we brainstormed ideas for events that will serve young lawyers, attorneys, and the community. It was exciting to see what we’re going to accomplish this year.

Following our meetings, we had a short break to explore Bay City. It was a beautiful fall day in Michigan to walk along the water, explore the downtown, or check out some of the cool antique shops.

However, the weekend was not all about work. Saturday night featured a “murder mystery dinner” that added a fun, lighthearted twist to the retreat. It was a great way to step back from the serious discussions and enjoy some laughs together. The dinner gave everyone a chance to relax, mingle, and show off some amateur detective skills. Was it the secretary? The junior associate? The rival attorney? The theatrical skills and commitment s to their roles were unmatched by this group of young lawyers. In the end, only one person correctly guessed the killer.

Overall, the Bay City retreat balanced business and social time, leaving us ready and focused for what’s to come. It was a productive and enjoyable weekend, setting a positive tone for the year ahead with YLS.

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Darnell T. Barton is the current SBM YLS Secretary as well as a Criminal and Civil Rights Attorney at Barton Law, PLLC.

Emma Green is an of counsel attorney at Miller Johnson where she practices family law in Grand Rapids, MI.