On October 16, 2024, the State Bar of Michigan Young Lawyers Section and the Labor and Employment Law Section held an event at Bowlero in Royal Oak, MI. Because one of the overarching goals of YLS is to provide opportunities, education, and access to the community, Sarah Gordon (LELS), and I decided to collaborate on an event with both sections. The best way to educate and provide more access to the community is by educating the next group of lawyers—law students. From the start, law students and lawyers immediately networked. There was no shortage of beverages or food. Pizza, salad, cheese bread, sprite, and water abound. Law students talked to lawyers about how to get into the employment law space. And younger lawyers talked to older lawyers about how to develop a sustainable private practice.

How about bowling? Here’s where there was a divide. Some people wanted to show their PBA skills at the bowling lanes and others preferred to continue networking. No matter the choice, people were still able to develop new relationships. The purpose of the event was to give law students an opportunity to learn more about the Labor & Employment space, connect with established legal professionals, and discuss legal services that might be needed for family members. I think we did exactly what we set out to do in resounding fashion.

Matthew High is an Employment Law Attorney at Wilson Elser in Livonia, MI.