New Lawyers

CYLA Spotlight on Anna Romanskaya – ABA YLD Chair-Elect

by Roey Z. Rahmil, Shartsis Friese LLP

Anna Romanskaya, a partner and head of the family law practice at San Diego’s Stark & Ambrosio, recently became chair-elect of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division (“YLD”). Anna will be one of the first chairs of YLD from California.

Anna’s involvement with the ABA began when she was a student at Thomas Jefferson Law School in San Diego.  After graduating, she continued her involvement with substantive law sections as well as YLD, and served as Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association’s New Lawyer Division.  She rose through YLD’s ranks to become Chair in summer 2016.

YLD, Anna explained, is the “home for young lawyers in the ABA,” and is the “landing ground” for young lawyers who are ABA members aged 36 or younger or in their first five years of practice (the same guidelines governing CYLA membership).  YLD features 35 specialty groups covering diversity and outreach, practice management, practice settings, and substantive practice areas.

Anna encourages young lawyers to get involved with the ABA and YLD, as “its benefits complement local involvement.”  Just as local bar associations provide opportunities to meet counterparts on the local front, YLD presents a way to be recognized on a much larger scale.   Young lawyers who are actively involved with YLD—which charges no additional dues—can write on substantive areas of the law, present CLEs, and meet and engage with other attorneys nationwide.

YLD also offers benefits for attorneys who do not get heavily involved in leadership activities.  The Young Lawyer, YLD’s “premier publication,” focuses on practical skills like business development, mentorship, and time management that are useful for new attorneys across all practice areas.  YLD also offers educational teleconferences on subjects such as “Lawyers as the Agents of Change,” “Administrative Law,” and “Case Management for Lawyers.”

Anna encourages young lawyers to get involved with YLD.  Her involvement has benefitted her by providing “relationships that [she] would never have had the chance to build.”  In addition, YLD provides the opportunity for young lawyers to take part in policymaking efforts before the ABA’s legislative arm.  YLD has taken part in formulating loan repayment programs, diversity and inclusion initiatives, and other efforts that have taken hold on the national stage. 

For more information on YLD, visit http://www.americanbar.org/groups/young_lawyers.html.


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