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It’s that time of year again!

By Lauren E. Caesar posted 03-11-2016 02:43 PM

  

Time to register for the NJSBA Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City. After the great time I had last year, I cannot wait to go again!

Funny, but I don’t remember this excitement after attending the Convention for the first time ten years ago. What caused this different reaction now? What changed since my attendance years ago?

Back then I was working at my first legal job in New Jersey after relocating from New York. I knew few people, and even fewer attorneys. I felt like I was practicing law in a foreign country.

Slowly, I began branching out into New Jersey’s legal world: I started a new job as a Staff Attorney at Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services that took me into various courthouses and enabled me to associate with innumerable attorneys; I joined the Inns of Court, two county bar associations and the NJSBA; and I attended as many seminars and networking events as possible. When I heard about the Lawyers in Transition Special Committee (LIT) forming in 2014 I immediately knew that this was for me, since I am always “in transition.” I met the co-chairs who launched the Committee, I attended their first seminar, and I was hooked! I immediately volunteered to be a committee member.

Last year I was honored when Kimberly Yonta and Sandra L Kroll, the co-chairs of LIT, asked me to moderate “Volunteer as You Transition Your Career” at the Annual Meeting. I worked with leaders in the pro bono and legal services communities to prepare for the seminar and I was delighted to be part of a LIT event. However, still unsettled from my experience in Atlantic City years ago, I did not know what to expect in 2015.

From the first day, I bumped into attorneys that I knew from all over New Jersey. I met new people, attended presentations and engaged in interesting conversations all day. One of the attorneys from my local bar association invited me to hang out with his friends during the evening networking events, and everyone was warm and welcoming. The highlight was when I accompanied them to a party for the incoming NJSBA President, Miles S. Winder, III.  

I realized that what had changed since the first time I attended the Annual Meeting was that I became active in bar associations, attended events, and became acquainted with other New Jersey attorneys. Now, I am comfortable among NJSBA members and I no longer feel like an outsider.

This year I will be moderating a unique and novel LIT seminar entitled “Joyful Journey,” presented by Robert Bianchi, Esq. of the Bianchi Law Group, LLC. As Bob describes it, “’Joyful Journey’ centers around our the good, bad, and ugly of our profession, and how to live more empowered and joyful lives.” The program promises to be insightful and inspiring for all who attend.

I encourage all NJSBA members to register for this year’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City, taking place on May18-20, 2016, and to attend “Joyful Journey.” And, while you’re there, please come by and say, “Hello.”

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