By Sheila Spence

Elon University Poll Survey

The Elon University Poll is conducting a survey of young lawyers in North Carolina who are in their first ten years of practice to gather information about a variety of topics, including views on the legal profession, running for office, current employment and demographic information. This survey also includes a portion of questions focused on salary and benefits which I suggested and was included by the Elon University Poll staff.

The YLD believes that this survey will serve the profession well, and we encourage YLD members to participate in this survey once they receive the link via email from Elon University Poll. The responses to this survey are voluntary, anonymous, and confidential. Once the poll closes, the results will be shared with YLD members. Our hope is that this information will serve as a benchmark and a tool to help young lawyers advocate for their own compensation, benefits, resources and more within their current workplace or at a future job.

Honoring Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the forefront of our work as an organization. As part of the original purpose of the poll survey, you’ll notice a few important questions.

This Poll Survey features demographics questions regarding race, ethnicity and gender identity. These questions ensure we can (1) identify and assess any racial, gender or other wage gaps within our profession (2) support pay transparency and equity, and (3) promote diversity and inclusion efforts at legal employers.

2021-22 YLD Initiatives

This survey also directly corresponds with other initiatives and programing that the YLD – and specifically the Law Student Outreach Committee – have planned this year. On November 1, the Law Student Outreach Committee hosted a Salary Negotiations 101 event featuring Karen Chopra, LPC, CCC, NCC, founder of ChopraCareers. Karen covered key negotiating concepts, how to handle salary questions in interviews and online applications and how to ensure interviewees get the best deal from their employer. The Law Student Committee is also hosting a Firsthand Experiences with Salary Negotiations event in December that will feature a conversation with two attorneys and a law firm recruiter who will share their firsthand experiences with salary negotiation in the legal field. Be on the lookout for more information coming soon. We hope to see you there!

Claire O’Brien

Michael Cohen

By Claire O’Brien and Michael Cohen

DATES TO KNOW

October 29 | Examples of Lawyer Leadership: Perspectives from Across the Non-Profit and Public Interest Sectors | noon to 1 p.m.

November 1 | Salary Negotiations 101 | noon to 1 p.m.

November 4 | Spotlight on Magistrate Judges and Federal Litigation | noon to 1 p.m.

November 8 | Spotlight on Privacy and Data Security | noon to 1 p.m.

November 11 | Leveraging LinkedIn for Young Lawyers and Law Students | noon to 1 p.m.

COMMITTEE AND SECTION UPDATES

New Lawyers in Practice – How-to Guides: The New Lawyers in Practice Committee has created a suite of “how-to” guides, free to NCBA members, to walk new attorneys through basic procedures in various types of law and to serve as a tool for experienced attorneys to brush up on practical skills. Check out the eight guides that the committee has so far and be on the lookout for more coming soon!

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Claire O’Brien

Michael Cohen

By Claire O’Brien and Michael Cohen

DATES TO KNOW

September 30 | Panel Discussion: “Finding that First Job and Setting Yourself Up for Success” | noon to 1 p.m.

October 6 | Construction/YLD Lunch & Learn | noon to 1 p.m.

October 7 | Planning Ahead Leads to Success: An Overview of Becoming a Lawyer in NC | noon

October 28 | Minorities in the Profession Committee Virtual Diverse Attorney/Student Networking Social | 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

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By Kayla Britt

The last thing a lawyer may want to hear when they first pass the bar, or when they are between jobs, is to accept a temporary position. The uncertainty surrounding the length of employment, the lack of benefits, and the difference in pay structure are factors that may lead one to decline a temporary position. However, temporary positions have the potential to lead to greater opportunities.

Attorney Hugh Harris provided me with one of the best pieces of advice I have received as a young lawyer. He told me to consider a temporary offer as the chance to audition for the permanent role. At the time, I did not realize that this advice would soon directly impact my career. When my clerkship ended, I began searching for jobs in the middle of a pandemic. I was faced with a market hesitant to hire permanent, full-time employees but received several opportunities to accept temporary positions or “as needed” work. I was tempted to refuse temporary offers until I recalled the advice above. I accepted a temporary job placement, soaked in the opportunity to learn as much as possible and soon after, I received a permanent, full-time offer.

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