Message from the Vice Chair

On By sdcountybar

Message from the Vice Chair

By Claudia Salinas

Happy February Current (and Future) NLD Members!

It’s Claudia Salinas, your friendly Vice Chair of the San Diego County Bar Association New Lawyer Division (NLD), and I’m thrilled to bring a dash of inspiration and opportunity to your February.

Allow me to introduce myself: I’m a self-professed “professional multitasker,” spending most my days at The Innocence Center (TIC), fighting to get innocent people out of prison and reunited with their families, all while trying to do my part in reforming the criminal legal system along the way. On the side, I moonlight as a state appointed Board of Parole attorney, helping those who are currently incarcerated secure a second chance at reaching their full potential in the community. When I’m not navigating the legal scene, you might catch me at a poker table, trying to outwit some of the biggest names in the field.

Last year, I served on the NLD Executive Committee as the Community Service Co-Chair, where I had a hand in hosting service-connected events. We partnered with the San Diego Urban League Young Professionals for care package distributions (lawyers working in an assembly line, not as easy as it sounds), teamed up with PATH San Diego for a “Naughty and Nice” sweater donation event (judging by some of the sweaters, I’d say mostly naughty), and threw in multiple MCLEs for good measure, offering “Tips from the Bench” that ranged from innovative to just plain life-changing.

This year, as Vice Chair, my objective is simple: to cultivate an environment where legal minds can connect, collaborate, and thrive together. With February’s thematic focus on love and connection, let’s dive into a topic close to my heart: building connections.

Consider me your NLD matchmaker, committed to fostering connections among a diverse cohort of legal advocates in San Diego. Think of the NLD as a haven for legal speed-dating, where lawyers from various backgrounds and fields come together in search of professional compatibility. Our current NLD members are the seasoned pros, boasting profiles that are the legal equivalent of a five-star rating on a dating app – and we’re eager to match them with new potential NLD members looking to build something extraordinary.

The NLD Executive Committee is leading by example, we kicked off the year with a thrilling “Art Heist” Escape Room challenge in January to foster teamwork and collaboration. Picture this: a room full of lawyers, racing against the clock to beat the mafia and save a world-renowned art piece on behalf of our “client.” Spoiler alert: we cracked the code to a successful mission, just like we plan to do throughout the year.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of building connections, we have a lineup of events (with more to come) that you won’t want to miss:

  • March 13, 2024 – Elimination of Bias MCLE on Transgender Rights – Co Sponsored with the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division. Click here to register.
  • March 16, 2024 – San Diego Gulls Hockey Mixer with SDCBA’s Entertainment and Sport Law Section. Stay tuned for more details.
  • August 1, 2024 – NLD’s Annual Signature Summer Social.

Stay tuned for more details.

These aren’t your run-of-the-mill legal gatherings; they’re opportunities to meet new colleagues, engage in service, and discuss legal matters.

I understand we’re all busy, but as emerging legal leaders, it’s vital not to overlook hidden talents or untapped opportunities for collaboration. Hence, I challenge each of you to connect and collaborate with at least three new people this year, whether through NLD or on your own. Trust me, it’s a prop bet you’ll win – both you and your newfound legal comrades will feel empowered, propelling your professional trajectories to new heights.

Let’s make February, and the year ahead, a celebration of legal connections and shared victories. Join us at our events, contribute to discussions on pertinent issues, and let’s continue growing our division together.

If you have any ideas for future events, want to hit up a mixer together, or just want to connect with me, please feel free to reach out to me directly via LinkedIn here.

Looking forward to forging connections with each of you!

Yours truly,

Claudia Salinas

Vice Chair, San Diego County Bar Association New Lawyer Division