Mixing Work with Play at the
State Bar Annual Meeting
Erica Taylor
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
Work/life balance is always a quest
and a struggle when you are an
attorney. That is why when you
can mix in a little relaxation in
with your work, it is always a plus.
I have gone to the State Bar An-
nual Meeting every year for the
last four years. I strongly recom-
mend attending to anyone who
has never gone before. This year’s
meeting took place at beautiful
Amelia Island and proved to be
just as enjoyable as the bar meet-
ings I have attended in the past.
The state bar meeting consists of
several meetings, CLE opportuni-
ties, and networking events mixed
into one very full long weekend.
Every year, I always end up enjoy-
ing myself, meeting new people,
and making new connections.
The annual meeting begins with
meetings and CLE events on
Thursday for early arrivals and
celebrates an official start with
an opening night festival that
evening. It is a night of food,
drinks, music, and fun activities
for attorneys and their families.
The state bar meeting is always
welcoming to families. Usually, the
State Bar attempts to arrange for
discounts to local amenities. This
year was no different. There were
discounts for children’s activities,
the spa, putt-putt, and golfing.
Friday is generally chocked full
of meetings and events especial-
ly for younger lawyers, includ-
ing the Young Lawyers Division
Pool Party and the Young Lawyers
Dinner. I have made important
connections and also made close
friendships throughout the years
at the Young Lawyers event. As a
matter of fact, attending the pool
party was my first introduction
to the Young Lawyers Division
(“YLD”). The colleagues that I met
at my first pool party, I am still
friends with today. I’ll never forget
how welcoming everyone that I
encountered was during that first
experience. It wasn’t long before
I was fully ingrained in the YLD
and I consider my involvement
with the YLD to be one of the most
The Official News Publication of the Atlanta Bar Association THE ATLANTA LAWYER
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