Dec. 5, 2018 – Know a mentor who helped you kick off your career? Or a young lawyer making a difference for someone else?

The State Bar of Wisconsin Young Lawyers Division (YLD) asks you to help it pay tribute to an outstanding lawyer and to recognize the investment that your mentor has made in your future.

Nominations are due Feb. 28 for YLD’s Outstanding Mentor and Outstanding Young Lawyer awards.

Outstanding Mentor Award

John Starkweather, a partner in the Real Estate Practice Group at Boardman & Clark LLP in Madison, was the 2018 recipient of the Young Lawyers Division’s Outstanding Mentor Award.

The Young Lawyers Division is seeking nominations for the third annual Outstanding Mentor Award. The award pays tribute to a Wisconsin-licensed attorney who has made an exceptional contribution to the life and career of a young attorney.

Past recipients are Rochelle Johnson Bent and John Starkweather.

“The importance of having a mentor as a young lawyer really can’t be overstated,” says Stephanie LeRoy, a member of the YLD board of directors and co-chair of the nomination committee.

“Even the more hands-on, nuts-and-bolts law school classes still tend to be very theory-based. As a result, young lawyers are often confronted with the realities of practicing law for the first time after they’ve already graduated from law school,” LeRoy said. “Because you’re dealing with real-world cases and real-world consequences, having a mentor in the early stages of your career is extremely important.”

Mentors aren’t just important for small or solo practitioners, says Ben Roovers, YLD secretary and co-chair of the nomination committee. “I work in an office with about 35 attorneys. I was able to work with my predecessor for about a year before he retired, and the experience I gained from working with him was invaluable. I feel much more confident and able than I would have if I had started from scratch.”

How to Nominate an Outstanding Mentor

The nominee must have six or more years of practice experience, be a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin, and have been in good standing with the State Bar for more than 12 months. Lawyers who currently sit on the YLD board or on the State Bar Board of Governors are not eligible.

Nominations are due on or before Feb. 28, 2019. To nominate a mentor, email Stephanie LeRoy and Ben Roovers with the following information:

• Name and State Bar number of nominee

• A statement explaining how the nominee has positively impacted the life of a young lawyer mentee. The statement may include how the mentor has:
  1. provided advice on legal, ethical, and client issues;
  2. helped to advance a mentee’s professional career;
  3. introduced the mentee to new lawyers and contacts; and
  4. provided support in the early stages of the mentee’s legal practice.

The YLD also welcomes a short biography of the candidate as well as any other materials that demonstrate the nominee’s mentorship accomplishments.

Outstanding Young Lawyer Award

Seep Paliwal, center, was the 2018 recipient of the YLD’s Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. On left and right are co-chairs of the YLD Nominations & Elections Committee, Stephanie LeRoy and Ben Roovers.

The YLD is also seeking nominations for the 10th annual Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. The award honors a young lawyer who has made an impact in his or her practice area, service to the bar, and service to the community.

“We want to recognize young lawyers who are contributing new ideas to their legal practice and to their communities,” LeRoy said. “There are not many awards specifically for young lawyers, and we feel it is important to recognize their contributions and successes, as it can be easily overlooked in the beginning stages of a career.”

"Many of our previous Outstanding Young Lawyer Award recipients have had innovative ways to serve their clients, were deeply involved in the State Bar, and provided needed legal services to their communities in the way of pro bono work,” said Roovers. “They have followed their passions, developed new programs in their communities, and partnered with other organizations to provide much needed legal services.”

“We also hope that this award inspires more young lawyers to be involved in service to their clients, their communities, and the State Bar,” LeRoy said.

Nominate an Outstanding Young Lawyer

The nominee must be under age 36 or within the first five years of practice and a member in good standing of the State of Wisconsin for more than 12 months. Lawyers who currently sit on the YLD board or on the State Bar Board of Governors are not eligible for the award.

Nominations are due on or before Feb. 28, 2019. To nominate a mentor, email Stephanie LeRoy and Ben Roovers with the following information:

• Name and State Bar number of nominee

• A brief paragraph explaining how the nominee has demonstrated each of the following:
  1. service to clients;
  2. service to the bar (local, state, or specialty bar), members of the bar, and/or the court; and
  3. service to the community.

The YLD welcomes a resume or short biography of the candidate and any other materials that demonstrate the nominee’s dedicated service.

Join in the Celebration

The State Bar will honor the award winners at the Young Lawyers Conference in Madison on March 30, 2019.