Yonally: Young Lawyers Section creates connections

The Young Lawyer Section of the Indiana Trial Lawyers Association is made up of 250 attorneys who have been practicing law for less than 10 years and who are committed to advancing the mission of the association. ITLA offers invaluable opportunities for professional growth, networking, and education for all trial attorneys, but the benefit of ITLA membership is especially great for young lawyers. In the past year, the Young Lawyer Section has organized several social events, including lunches and happy hours, which provide young attorneys with an opportunity to network and build camaraderie with their peers. In addition to these events, the Young Lawyer Section also maintains an active e-mail listserv that provides an ideal forum for asking questions, sharing experiences and ideas, and obtaining feedback from both our peers and our more experienced colleagues. ITLA also offers young attorneys opportunities to become more politically active and involved in the legislative process, to attend CLE sessions focused on issues facing young attorneys, and opportunities to mentor and be mentored as we move through the early years of practicing law.

Yonally

Recently, the ITLA Young Lawyer Section awarded an outstanding young attorney with the 2010 Max Goodwin Young Lawyer Award. This award is presented to a member of the section who exemplifies civility and professionalism and who contributes to advancing Indiana law in a positive direction for Indiana consumers. This year, Tara Wozniak Worthley from Valparaiso was selected as the award recipient from a group of accomplished young lawyers. Since being sworn into practice in 2005, Tara has devoted her professional career to representing injured patients and consumers of the state of Indiana. She has been involved in numerous medical malpractice trials and has been instrumental in several appeals and a petition for rehearing to the Indiana Supreme Court. Tara has also participated in writing amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the ITLA Amicus Committee. Outside of work, Tara is active in her community and volunteers her time with the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Central Indiana. Tara is an associate attorney with Langer & Langer and was inducted in 2010 as one of newest members of the ITLA Board of Directors.

The section has an exciting agenda for 2011, including continuing to provide social events and CLE opportunities, developing an organized mentoring program, assisting ITLA in its legislative efforts, and working together on a community service project. The Young Lawyer Section looks forward to building on the momentum of 2010 in the coming New Year!•
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Indianapolis lawyer Amanda Yonally serves as chair of the ITLA Young Lawyers Section. The opinions expressed here are those of the author.