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HSBA PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Insights and updates from the President of the HSBA YLD on our initiatives and role in serving Hawaii’s legal community.
Aloha,
As we reach the midpoint of the year, July offers a valuable opportunity to reflect on our progress and plan strategically for the future. While the first half of the year was packed with high-energy events and immediate outreach with the Hawai‘i High School Mock Trial Competition and Law Week, the summer months allow us to focus on long-term organizational sustainability.
This year, YLD achieved its goal to leave a “playbook” for each of our flagship programs for those who follow. Our board focused heavily on capturing institutional knowledge, refining procedural guides, and standardizing our outreach pipelines. By securing these foundations today, we ensure the YLD remains a resilient, powerful asset for Hawai‘i’s newer attorneys for years to come.
Disability Pride Month: "The World Works Better With Us"
Our commitment to building a sustainable YLD naturally extends to ensuring it is an inclusive one. July marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and stands as Disability Pride Month.
This year’s national theme, “The World Works Better With Us,” reminds us that professional excellence requires the active inclusion and leadership of individuals with disabilities. When we dismantle physical, technological, and systemic barriers for attorneys and clients with disabilities, we don't just accommodate, we elevate the entire practice of law. As young lawyers, we are uniquely positioned to champion accessibility, embrace neurodiversity, and eliminate stigma within our firms and courtrooms.
Building an inclusive, sustainable bar takes continuous effort, but it also takes fellowship. I encourage everyone to connect with colleagues across generations at the upcoming HSBA & HSBF Annual Pau Hana on August 19th at The Pacific Club. It’s a fantastic opportunity to connect, support local legal services, and celebrate our diverse community.
Thank you for your continued dedication to our profession and our community. Let’s keep building a bar that truly works better for all of us.
Mahalo,
Lauren Watanabe