Rosalyn Destinie Baker Sutton, from the left, Florida Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes, and YLD President Arti Hirani at the Florida A&M College of Law induction ceremony in Orlando on August 7. Baker-Barnes and Hirani addressed the incoming 2025 class of nearly 200 law students. Sutton, Baker-Barnes’ sister, is also a member of The Florida Bar
Since taking the helm of the Young Lawyers Division in June, President Arti Hirani has hit the ground running — launching a statewide tour of law schools and affiliate organizations to champion her administration’s “Open for Opportunity” platform.
With a full slate of CLE initiatives, innovative programming around AI, and a bold vision for professional development, Hirani says she’s committed to making sure every young lawyer in Florida has access to meaningful, sustainable work.
Florida Bar President Rosalyn Sia Baker-Barnes and Hirani spoke before the August 7 Florida A&M College of Law induction ceremony in Orlando and the pair also presented at Florida International University’s law school in Miami on August 15. The pair has been visiting law schools, local bar associations, and judicial events almost non-stop to promote awareness of the Bar’s and the YLD’s respective resources, projects, and priorities.
Hirani credits Baker-Barnes’ support with inspiring greater engagement among YLD members and reinforcing a culture of professionalism.
Hirani said the YLD is also working to improve its Basic, Practicing with Professionalism, and Transition to Practice CLEs, which are designed to prepare young lawyers for a sustainable, ethical practice — and to help them avoid disciplinary issues.
Decorum.law and the Henry Latimer Center for Professionalism are additional resources available to members for professional development with continuing legal education opportunities, she said.
AI Virtual Summit
Hirani is especially excited about upcoming YLD initiatives, including a tentatively scheduled half-day virtual summit in November titled, “AI Use in the Legal Profession.”
Hirani said while there are plenty of CLE videos that caution attorneys about the dangers of AI, the summit will instead focus on how to safely integrate AI into your practice and take advantage of the benefits AI offers.
“What’s interesting is how we can actually use [AI] to benefit us in a way that isn’t going to get you in trouble,” Hirani said. “It’s about learning how to double- and triple-check it — how it can help your practice so you’re not behind the times.” The virtual summit will feature CLE sessions led by tech leaders, judges, and young lawyers, offering practical guidance on responsible AI use, social media tips, and a one-page guide categorizing AI applications by low, medium, and high risk.
New Basic CLE Courses
Hirani is pleased with the new Basic CLE courses the YLD is producing on construction law, cannabis law, psychedelics law, and energy law –– as well as practical CLEs dealing with depositions, policy interpretation, being an associate, and becoming a partner. The new courses are planned to begin rolling out toward the end of the year.
AOC
This year’s YLD Affiliate Outreach Conference is set for February 5-7, 2026, at Margaritaville Resort Orlando. The theme is “Lawyers in Paradise.” One of the YLD’s premier events, the conference brings together young lawyers from across the state to network, exchange ideas, and get the most up-to-date information about young lawyer issues and resources.
Other YLD events this year include:
- “So, You Want to be a Prosecutor? Inside the Role of State & Federal Prosecuting Attorneys” Transition to Practice CLE webinar, September 19 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Deadline for Nominations for Fall YLD Awards, September 26 before 5 p.m., for the annual Pro Bono Award and Mentor of the Year Award.
- Council of Affiliates Fall Meeting, September 26 from 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Representatives from each affiliate are invited to attend and learn about the YLD’s latest initiatives, grants and funding opportunities, service projects, the 2026 Affiliate Outreach Conference (AOC), and more.
- Deadline for 2025 Fall Affiliate Grants, September 27. Pro Bono Legal Services & Access to Justice Grant and Professionalism All Around This Fall Grant. Applicants must be or become an affiliate to apply.
- Deadline for Law School Affiliate Grant Applications, September 30. Law School Networking Grant and Law School Professionalism Grant.
- Deadline for nominations to the Law Student Interviewer of the Supreme Court Q&A Session, October 3. One nomination per law school; must be nominated by the school. For more information, contact YLD Governor Tiffany-Ashley Disney.
- 2026 Affiliate Outreach Conference (AOC), February 5 – 7, 2026, at Margaritaville Resort Orlando, 8000 Fins Up Circle, Kissimmee.
- The Florida Bar Job & Resource Fair, March 6, 2026, in Ft. Lauderdale.
Additional YLD events in development include a Law School Affiliates Virtual Symposium on October 24; the “AI Use in the Legal Profession” half-day virtual summit in November; a live Practicing with Professionalism webinar — mandatory for first-year lawyers — on December 4; and a YLD Townhall in Tampa in January 2026.