Young Lawyers Should Get Involved in Their Communities

One of the great things about being a lawyer is the opportunity you have to make your community a better place.  There are many ways young lawyers can use the skills they have developed to help others. 

One way to get involved in your community is to join a civic organization, such as the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Lions Club International, Zonta International or a host of other wonderful organizations.  These groups allow you to better your community while also providing valuable networking opportunities. 

Young lawyers should also get involved with The Missouri Bar.  All Missouri attorneys are members of the Bar.  One of the best ways to get involved is to attend the Annual Meeting, which will be held this year in St. Louis on October 17-19.  The Annual Meeting offers a wide variety of speakers and CLE programs.  Attendees may also attend several social events that allow for the opportunity to network with attorneys and judges from around the state.  Young lawyers should also join their local bar associations, many of which have community service programs.

Another way to help your community is to provide pro bono legal services.  In fact, the Rules of Professional Conduct recognize that lawyers have the responsibility to provide these services.  Missouri Rule of Professional Conduct 4-6.1 provides:

A lawyer should render public interest legal service.  A lawyer may discharge this responsibility by providing professional services at no fee or a reduced fee to persons of limited means or to public service or charitable groups or organizations; by service in activities for improving the law, the legal system, or the legal profession; and by financial support for organizations that provide legal services to persons of limited means.

The Missouri Bar now allows lawyers to report their pro bono hours on its website.  For more information, click here.