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Maryland State Bar Association YOUNG LAWYER SECTION SURVEY
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Exit Survey
 
 
This survey was created by the Young Lawyer Section's Strategic Planning Committee ("SPC"). The SPC hopes to obtain information that will assist the YLS in better understanding the demographics of its members. The more responses that the SPC receives, the more information the YLS will have to better serve its members. To that end, the SPC is randomly offering gift cards for fine dining and shopping to members that complete the survey. To qualify for the prize, you will have to include your full name and email. This information will only be used to contact you if you are one of the ten randomly selected members for the prize. The survey results are confidential.
 
 
Name/Contact information
 
 
 
 
Where did you attend law school?
 
University of Baltimore School of Law
 
University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
 
A law school in Washington, D.C.
 
Other
 
 
 
 
How long after admission to the Maryland Bar did you begin full-time employment as a lawyer including as a Judicial Law Clerk?
 
Did not seek full-time employment as a lawyer
 
Unable to secure full-time employment as a lawyer
 
Had a job offer before admission
 
0-3 months
 
4-6 months
 
7-9 months
 
10-12 months
 
More than one year
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Did you take a position as a Judicial Law Clerk after graduating from law school?
 
No
 
Yes, a Circuit Court 1 year term as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Yes, a Circuit Court 2 year term as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Yes, a Court of Special Appeals 1 year term as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Yes, a Court of Special Appeals 2 year term as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Yes, a Court of Appeals 1 year term as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Yes, a Court of Appeals 2 year term as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Yes, I had multiple terms as a Judicial Law Clerk
 
Other
 
 
 
 
If you graduated from law school with student loan debt, how much loan debt did you have when you graduated (the total of college and law school)?
 
Did not graduate with student loan debt
 
Less than $10,000
 
S10,001-$25,000
 
$25,001-$50,000
 
$50,001-$75,000
 
$75,001-$100,000
 
$100,001-$125,000
 
$125,001 +
 
 
 
If you graduated from law school with law school loan debt, how much loan debt did you have when you graduated (only law school student loans)?
 
Did not graduate with student loan debt
 
Less than $10,000
 
S10,001-$25,000
 
$25,001-$50,000
 
$50,001-$75,000
 
$75,001-$100,000
 
$100,001-$125,000
 
$125,001 +
 
 
 
How old were you when you completed your law degree?
 
25 or younger
 
26-29
 
30-35
 
36-40
 
41-50
 
51 or older
 
 
 
What is your current age?

 
23 and Under
 
24-27
 
28-30
 
31-33
 
34-40
 
41-50
 
51+
 
 
 
How many years have you been out of law school?
 
Less than 1 year
 
1-2 years
 
3-5 years
 
6-9 years
 
Longer than 9 years
 
 
 
What practice setting do you currently work in?
 
Solo practice
 
Government/Public Sector
 
In-House Counsel
 
Solo in Shared Office
 
2-5 Lawyers in Firm
 
6-10 Lawyers in Firm
 
11-20 Lawyers in Firm
 
21-35 Lawyers in Firm
 
36-50 Lawyers in Firm
 
51-99 Lawyers in Firm
 
100+ Lawyers in Firm
 
Voluntary not practicing
 
Unemployed (please comment on circumstances surrounding current unemployment).
 
 
 
 
If you are currently employed full time, what is your salary range?
 
Less than $30,000
 
$30,001-$55,000
 
$55,001-$75,000
 
$75,001-$90,000
 
$90,001-$120,000
 
$120,000-$140,000
 
over $140,000
 
 
How challenging have the following job-related issues been for you as a new/young lawyer?
Not Challenging Somewhat unchallenging Neutral Somewhat challenging Highly challenging N/A
Understanding substantive law
Understanding legal procedures and practical application of law
Obtaining appropriate mentoring
Applying legal ethics to practice
Understanding employer’s expectations
Receiving challenging work
Billable hour requirements
Balancing family/personal life with career
Business development
 
 
 
If you have voluntarily switched employers during your tenure as a lawyer, please select all the reasons that led you to changing positions.
 
Compensation
 
Mentoring/Training
 
Opportunity for Advancement
 
Firm Reputation
 
Firm Size
 
Practice Area
 
Work Schedule
 
Work Environment
 
Work Challenge/Responsibility
 
Intrinsic Reward of Work
 
Management
 
Move From Temporary Position or Clerkship
 
Geographic Location
 
Work/Life Balance
 
I have not switched my employers

 
 
 
Have you taken a pro bono case or volunteered for a public service (law related) activity in the last year?
 
No
 
Yes
 
Yes, through what organization (if applicable):
 
 
 
 
I have a mentor I can call if I need advice:
 
Strongly Agree
 
Agree
 
Do not Agree or Disagree
 
Disagree
 
Strongly Disagree
 
 
 
The Young Lawyer Section ("YLS") is an automatic, free membership (for the first year) for all MSBA members under 38 or within five years from their first admission to a state bar association, whichever comes later. When you first became a member of the Maryland State Bar Association ("MSBA"), were you aware of your automatic membership in the YLS?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
Given the current YLS membership criteria (see above), are you pleased with the name "Young Lawyers Section?"
 
Yes, I like the name Young Lawyers Section
 
I would prefer the name New Lawyers Section
 
I would prefer the name New and Young Lawyers Section
 
I would prefer a different name. Please comment to provide a suggestion
 
 
 
 
How do you think the YLS should define its membership?
 
By years since admission to the bar (e.g., within eight years)
 
By age (e.g. under 38)
 
By years since admission AND by age (current)
 
Other. Please explain.
 
 
 
What should the YLS membership age criteria be?
 
Until the year an attorney reaches 38 years of age (current)
 
Something younger than 38
 
Something older than 38
 
None
 
If you selected option 2 or 3, please provide an age cutoff
 
 
 
 
If the YLS membership criteria were solely defined by a "years from admission" component, what should it be?
 
Within 5 years of admission to the bar (current)
 
Something above 5 years
 
Something less than 5 years
 
Other (please specify)
 
 
 
The YLS has identified three focus areas: Please rank the importance of these topics to you.
Most Important Somewhat Important Neutral Not Important
Public Service/Pro Bono serving the public while provided opportunities for new/young lawyers to build skills
Transition to Practice - low cost CLEs and social networking events for new/young lawyers
New Lawyer Representation/Advocacy - Statewide and national representation for new/young lawyer's issues.
 
 
 
What is your current level of activity with the YLS?
 
Highly involved (leadership role or participate at least on a monthly basis)
 
Somewhat involved (periodically attend YLS even have participated on a committee, or stay information about YLS activities)
 
Not involved
 
 
If you participated in any of the YLS Programs, how satisfied were you?
Highly Satisfied Neutral Dissatisfied Highly N/A
Annual Charity Event
Public Service Opportunity
CLE Program sponsored by YLS Education Comm.
YLS Diversity event
YLS Social event
 
 
In the next year, would you be likely to do the following (select all that apply):
Yes No
Subscribe to a YLS committee list serve
Serve on a committee
Apply to chair a YLS committee
Run for the YLS Board of Governors ("BOG")
Join a one-time task force, plan a YLS event, or discus YLS policy
Read The Advocate, the YLS online publication
Attend a YLS social/networking event
Attend a CLE
Judge a mock trial annual competition
Contact your YLS BOG Rep or Advocate for young lawyer issues
Attend MSBA Young Lawyer Section meetings
Attend a volunteer/community service based project
 
 
 
What factors would most motivate your participation in YLS activities?
 
Social connection with other new/young lawyers
 
Opportunities to lead or resume-building opportunities
 
Entry into other MSBA related services, group activities
 
Service to the public
 
Legal education aimed at transition to practice
 
Professional Networking
 
Other: Please Specify
 

 
 
 
What factors are most prohibitive to you participating in YLS activities?
 
I don't hear about them
 
I don't have time
 
They are not planned in my geographic location
 
I feel like an outsider/It is hard to find an entry point
 
I'm involved in local county young lawyer activities
 
I'm more interested in other MSBA sections or committees
 
I don't find the topics/activities relevant
 
I'm not just interested in the MSBA

 
 
 
How could the website be of more value to you?
   
 
 
 
How often do you visit the YLS website located at: www.yls.org
 
At least once a week
 
At least once a month
 
Every few months
 
Once per year
 
Never
 
 
 
What is your current use of Facebook and other online social media and would you follow the YLS through these avenues (select all that apply)?
 
I don't use Facebook or other social media
 
I use Facebook but I would not join MSBA page
 
I use Facebook and I would join MSBA page
 
I use social media other than Facebook (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) and would follow the MSBA
 
I use social media other than Facebook (LinkedIn, Twitter, etc.) but would not follow the MSBA
 
Other
 

 
 
 
How often do you read the Advocate? (the YLS official publication distributed electronically to all the members who register an e-mail address with the MSBA.)
 
Every issue
 
Occasionally
 
Rarely
 
Never
 
I was not made aware of such publication
 
 
Which of the following columns in The Advocate would you likely read?
Likely Unlikely N/A
YLS President's Column
Editor's Column
The Gavel (ethics blog)
Practice tips for young/new lawyers
Recap of recent YLS events
Law student Column
Articles on pro bono/public service opportunities
Articles about substantive areas of practice
Bar News articles of interest to young lawyers
 
 
 
How can the YLS improve its current program and services?
   
 
 
 
What types of CLE programs would you like to see the YLS offer?
   
 
 
 
Would you be willing to take a case for a lower rate to assist clients unable to pay the full fee for an attorney?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
What is your family status?
 
Single
 
Married or partnered
 
 
 
What is your gender
 
Male
 
Female
 
 
 
Do you openly identify as a sexual minority, to include the following: gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
Do you have a disability?
 
Yes
 
No
 
 
 
Do you have children?
 
No
 
I have one child
 
I have two or three children
 
I have four or more children
 
 
 
What is your Ethnicity/Race?
 
American Indian/Native American/Alaskan Native
 
Asian
 
Black/African decent
 
Caucasian/White
 
Spanish/Hispanic/Latino
 
Pacific Islander
 
Multi-Racial
 
Other: Please Specify
 
 
 
 
What geographic region do you reside in?
 
Baltimore City
 
Baltimore County
 
Montgomery County
 
Prince George's County
 
Anne Arundel County
 
Howard County
 
Harford County
 
Western Maryland (Carroll, Frederick, Garrett, Allegany, Washington)
 
Southern Maryland (Calvert, Charles, St. Mary's)
 
Upper Eastern Shore (Cecil, Kent, Queen Anne's, Caroline)
 
Lower Eastern Shore (Talbot, Dorchester, Wicomico, Worcester, Somerset)
 
Washington, DC
 
Other
 
 
 
 
Besides the current YLS programs listed above, what types of programs, publications, services, and benefits would you like to see from the YLS in the future?
 
Answer: