YLS Council hosts volunteering, networking opportunities in Springfield
Dozens of young lawyers gave back to the Springfield community and networked with fellow legal professionals ahead of The Missouri Bar Young Lawyers’ Section Council’s meeting March 10-11.
Community service and networking events
About a dozen YLS Council members arrived early in Springfield March 10 to volunteer at Harmony House, a nonprofit that helps individuals who have experienced domestic abuse by providing a hotline, emergency and temporary shelter, outreach programs, survivor resources, and more. Following a tour of Harmony House, the young lawyers got to work folding pamphlets, sweeping and mopping floors, sorting clothes, and wiping tables in the dining area.
“As lawyers, we are frequently advocating for clients or victims at their most vulnerable, so it was easy to support and give some of our time to (Harmony House),” said Tristen Estep, YLS Council member who organized the volunteer event. “Acts of service have ripple effects, and my hope is that our small amount of time at Harmony House created time and space for staff to meet the needs of residents and other community members who benefit from their services.”
More than 50 lawyers of all ages then gathered to network, share stories, and play games at Dublin’s Pass Irish Pub in Springfield. The event was open to all Missouri Bar members, not just the YLS Council.
YLS Council meeting
During its March 11 meeting at Hotel Vandivort in Springfield, the YLS Council approved nominees to council vacancies for Districts 1, 2, and 8. The Missouri Bar YLS Council will contact everyone who applied for those vacancies later this month. The council is also seeking nominees to fill a vacancy for District 5 (Boone, Callaway, Cooper, Howard, and Saline counties), with applications due March 31.
The YLS council is accepting nominations for the Liberty Bell and Tom Cochran Community Service awards. Nominations are due May 1. Click here to learn more about the awards and submit your nominations.
In other business, the council approved expense reports, discussed future YLS events and budgets, and received updates from council committees.
All Missouri lawyers 36 years old or younger or, if older, who have been in practice five years or less, are automatically members of YLS at no additional cost. Click here to learn more about YLS and the council.
Want to see more about the YLS Council meeting and events in Springfield? Click here to watch District 7 Rep. Paige Sparks' highlight video.