New YLD Chair Aims for More Connected Legal Community (The Legal Intelligencer)January 6, 2011
Fiona McCrone
The Legal Intelligencer
Reaching young lawyers on a personal level is difficult, says
Carolyn "Carey" Chopko, the newly appointed chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Philadelphia Bar Association. However, she says,
her aim for 2011 is to help young lawyers "get connected," by making the YLD's approach to getting members more personal.
"We're all connected to our laptops and PDAs, but the most meaningful connections we can make are with our colleagues and community."
Chopko, a native of Wallingford, Pa., started her college education at Villanova University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. She then spent four years on active duty as a nurse in the U.S. Navy, before returning to Villanova for her law degree.
She says she began thinking about law school while earning her nursing degree after taking a legal nurse-consulting course.
"That course really peaked my curiosity about other career opportunities," said Chopko, and was part of what ultimately led her to go back to Villanova for law school rather than "re-upping" for active duty in the Navy.
While in law school, Chopko finished another four years of reserve service for the Navy. She says that her experiences as a nurse in the Navy gave her a new perspective on leadership.
"It helped me develop my own sense of leadership, as well as learn how to manage people effectively."
These qualities, Chopko said, have played a large part in her personal and professional life.
"I'm able to combine both of my strengths into one practice," said Chopko of the overlap between her current profession and her previous experience in the medical field.
While it is going to be difficult to balance her practice, her leadership role with the YLD and her personal life, Chopko said, "there is no 'I' in team; I won't be doing this job alone. I have a huge network of support inside the YLD and at Feldman Shepherd."
She said that Alan Feldman, a partner at the firm and former chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, is incredibly supportive of the firm's attorneys taking an active role in the community.
"Being part of the bar association gives young lawyers, who may be overwhelmed by their new careers, an opportunity to network and connect with attorneys from different fields," said Chopko.
According to Feldman, "Carey is not just a terrific and talented lawyer, but a wonderful person. She is tenacious and focused, and whatever Carey brings her focus to, she will do a great job."
As a former chancellor, Feldman is understandably enthusiastic about bar involvement for young lawyers, also noting that participation in bar activities or other professional organizations is important to professional development and keeps lawyers aware of the concerns of the legal community.
"Practicing law just to earn a paycheck is not what being a lawyer is all about, and our firm has encouraged our attorneys to involve themselves not just in bar activities but other legal services and pro bono."
As chair, Chopko aims to give "new twists to old favorites," in terms of the activities and events the YLD conducts. Overall, she will be working to get some "new blood" on the scene, and encourage more lawyers to take advantage of the programs that the YLD has to offer.
Chopko says she wants to continue with signature YLD programs, which include community outreach like Law Week, legal education such as the People's Law School, and social events like networking happy hours. She said the YLD will also be holding its second annual YLD Bootcamp in 2011, which consists of lectures and presentations about "tactics, tips and tricks for law students and new lawyers."
Most importantly, she said, she wants to impress upon the legal community that YLD events are not just for young lawyers, but for everyone.
"This is a difficult economic climate to attract new members," admitted Chopko. "A lot of young lawyers aren't willing to sacrifice billable hours to go to events."
She hopes to counteract this uneasiness by instilling the need for personal outreach among members of the YLD, and the bar association at large.
"If lawyers already attending an event can call up their friends at other firms to invite them, I think we will see a greater number of young lawyers at our events."
This is all part of her "Get Connected" initiative, designed to "make connections that will benefit our membership and provide meaningful professional connections that will help young attorneys navigate their careers," according to Chopko.
"If we do this right, 2011 won't just be a great year for the YLD, but will also have a lasting effect for decades to come."
