The Atlanta Lawyer January/February 2013 | Page 31

section update ACYL Mentoring Breakfast Program By Kristin N. Zielmanski Berman Fink Van Horn PC [email protected] L ast Fall, the Atlanta Council for Younger Lawyers (ACYL) began a new Mentoring Breakfast series for its membership. During the first week of each month, beginning in September and running through November, groups of fifteen to twenty younger lawyers gathered for breakfast at J. Christopher’s or Flying Biscuit to engage in informal roundtable discussions regarding various issues facing younger lawyers, such as tips on achieving worklife balance and considerations before making a career transitions. The Mentoring Breakfast series has resumed in 2013. On Wednesday, January 16, 2013, the ACYL hosted the first breakfast of the year at J. Christopher’s on West Peachtree to cover the topic of “Using Social Media Effectively.” Susan Longo of Business Development for Lawyers, LLC and Anna Ruth Williams of Communications 21 attended as special guest speakers and provided several helpful tips on how to take advantage of online networking sites, such as LinkedIn. The discussion covered suggestions for how recent graduates can use their online profiles and connections to find employment as well as other general tips for expanding one’s professional network. The ACYL will be hosting three (3) more breakfasts through the Spring. On February 13, 2013, we will meet again at J. Christopher’s on West Peachtree to cover “Legal Malpractice Pitfalls”. Douglas V. Chandler, Esq. of Chandler Law, LLC, who has extensive experience in legal malpractice cases, will participate as a guest speaker to offer insight regarding these issues. We anticipate some attendees, who are considering opening their own practice, may have several questions about operating a law office. Also, with the growing use of online social media among lawyers and law firms, we expect to cover ethical rules that have not necessarily kept pace with technology, but which still apply. In March 2013, a breakfast will be specifically devoted to recent graduates and law students. The ACYL recognizes that many of the attendees at its events are students or recent graduates seeking to network with current attorneys The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association as part of their job searches. Therefore, the topic of this breakfast is “How to Find Your First Job”. We will include a panel of several lawyers to share their suggestions for job searching and particular “do’s and don’ts”. Stay tuned for details on this breakfast. The final Mentoring Breakfast for this Bar year will be held on April 10, 2013, and the topic will be “Relationships with Opposing Counsel and Co-Counsel”. Topics such as this are not covered in law school, so this will be a great opportunity to emphasize basics of professionalism for younger lawyers. We are glad to report that this series has been well-received and well-attended by the ACYL membership. The breakfasts have become a great way for lawyers to get advice and share their experiences in a comfortable, unintimidating forum. Given this success, we hope to continue the Mentoring Breakfasts for years to come. ■ All Active and Life Members will receive an electronic ballot for the 2013-2014 Elections on March 22, 2013. The deadline to vote will be April 11, 2013. January/February 2013 THE ATLANTA LAWYER 31