There are a lot of things no one tells you in law school. Everyone who has put their JD or ESQ to use for at least 35 seconds knows that the practice of law is nothing like law school. But, on the job you have no choice but to quickly get up to speed and race around the track. For many this is thrilling. They will love the track they are on and will continue to love the race for many years. What they don’t tell you in law school is what to do if instantly or eventually you decide that you might like to race on a different team or on a different track.
What do you do then? After you have secured that coveted first job, how do you find your second, third, fourth, etc. How do you decide what job you really want? How can you make sure that you remain in the driver’s seat as you explore new destinations? After you think you might have raced around the track enough, how do you decide when and how to slow down and get off? If you never lost your need for speed, how do you return to the race?
Recently, a woman lawyer navigating her way in a new profession outside of the law asked about a New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) membership and whether opportunities arose from membership in the Association. As she pursues an alternative career outside of practicing law, she is skeptical about whether her membership will assist her with her career needs. The answer to her question is an emphatic “YES.” She needs a support system with this career change and the NJSBA will be able to provide some structure for her with her new team.
The
Special Committee for Lawyers in Transition will provide resources to those in transitional phases of their careers. Resources will include opportunities to learn from exceptional speakers who are experts in the fields of career and professional development. Focused events will provide a space to connect with professionals interested in sharing experiences and information about how to get to where you want to be. The NJSBA website, CommunityNET, will host a web library of articles and information. The Committee will focus the resources already available within the NJSBA to assist its members in their lifelong journey of professional development.
With its first meeting on April 1, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the Law Center, the Committee will welcome its new members and discuss positive steps in transition.
This event is free to all NJSBA members and $25.00 for non-members. This meeting will kick-off the new year of Committee events planned by President-Elect Paris Eliades for 2014-2015. With a Lawyers in Transition Seminar Track at the NJSBA Annual Meeting in Atlantic City, May 14 – 16, and a “Bouncing Back” workshop on July 17, 2014 at 6 p.m. at the Law Center, the Committee is committed to enhancing and reinforcing new resources and opportunities for those lawyers changing lanes or getting back into the race.
Submitted by:
Kimberly Yonta, Esq.
Chair, Committee on Lawyers in Transition
And
Sandra Kroll, Esq.
Vice-Chair, Committee on Lawyers in Transition