Mission
Statement:
Attorneys will find themselves in a
period of transition at one or more points in their career, whether that period
is due to their initial entry into the legal profession, their exiting the
profession upon retirement, for brief or extended maternity, paternity or
family leave, in order to pursue an alternative career opportunity or upon
making a shift in the focus or path of their career. They face many challenges
and uncertainties when returning to the workforce after an absence as well as
while making a career move, change or transition. The Committee on Lawyers in
Transition develops initiatives to help these attorneys identify and pursue
possible and desired opportunities, to enable lawyers to remain connected to
other lawyers and the profession before and during a career interruption while
laying the groundwork for future re-entry and to arm them with the skills needed
both during and following a transition.
The Committee on Lawyers in Transition
establishes programs and resources geared toward providing career and job
services, presenting networking and mentoring opportunities, helping to
establish and foster partnership and collaboration among attorneys, fostering
practical skills and offering needed training. The Committee also collaborates
with other committees and the various sections of NYSBA to supplement and
enhance the benefits, programs and services offered and to make NYSBA members
aware of that which is available to them by virtue of their
membership.
About the Committee on Lawyers in Transition
The Committee on Lawyers in Transition
was initially formed to address the challenges faced by attorneys who have left
the workplace temporarily, for brief or extended periods, on maternity or
paternity leave, or because of family or other obligations, and then wish to
return to the workforce after such absences. With the great number of lawyers
finding themselves in "transition" not by choice as a result of the economic
downturn, the committee’s began to also focus on attorneys who had been laid
off. Additionally, with the number of attorneys approaching mandatory or
voluntary retirement, the committee had been working to address the needs of
such attorneys as well. The committee and its programs are also focusing on
other types of transition, whether upon entry to, exit from, or those made
during the course of an attorney’s career.
If you are currently unemployed, looking to make a career change, leave your
current job, transition back to the workforce after time away
from the profession or approaching retirement, the Committee on Lawyers in
Transition is here to help
History of the Committee
In August 2006, NYSBA president, Mark H. Alcott appointed Lauren J. Wachtler,
Esq. to chair a new committee to be called the Special Committee on Women
Lawyers in Transition: Returning to the Workforce/Legal Profession. At the first
meeting, the name of the committee was changed to the Special Committee on
Lawyers in Transition. The committee's mission was changed to include all
transitioning attorneys.
At the November 2008 House of Delegates
meeting, the Special Committee on Lawyers in Transition was made a Standing
Committee of the New York State Bar Association.
Jessica Thaler, Esq. was appointed Committee
Chair on June 1, 2011 and served as Chair of the Committee through June 2014.
Kim Wolf Price, Esq. was appointed Committee Chair on June 1, 2014 and served as Chair of the Committee through June 2017.
Erin K. Flynn, Esq. was appointed Committee Chair on June 1, 2017.
To view the Committee Roster, click here.
