As John F. Kennedy once stated that "leadership and learning are indispensable to each other." The DAYL Leadership Program brings together approximately 40 young lawyers each year that want to make a difference in the Dallas community and the bar. The class provides opportunities for attorneys to gain leadership training, meet and learn from dynamic leaders in the Dallas community, and organize a class service project. Class facilitators Robert Witte, Penny Blackwell, Rob Crain, Karen McCloud, and Aimee Williams work hard every year to make sure that participants have an outstanding experience and receive practical leadership training. And let’s not overlook one of the best parts of the program – it is so much fun! The class begins with a retreat that is always a blast. Then informative lunches follow throughout the remainder of the year featuring speakers on events relevant and at the forefront of the Dallas community.

Personally, my own involvement with the DAYL began with participation in the leadership class program. I had the honor of working with other incredible young attorneys to raise money for Education is Freedom. Today, most of the DAYL officers and board members have all been a part of the leadership class. When appointing committee co-chairs, I also reached out to leadership class members because I knew they had already received invaluable leadership training and were motivated to make a difference.

In addition, class members truly make an impact on the Dallas community each year by organizing a service project. For example, after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, the leadership class organized The Freedom Run. To date, this event has raised over $200,000.00 for its designated beneficiary and will celebrate its tenth year anniversary on September 9, 2010. The 2009 leadership class created the celebrity chef event called Food for Thought benefitting Big Thought, which will take place again this year on July 10, 2010. And the 2010 leadership class is in the planning stages of Zoo-a-Palooza, which will take place on September 25th at the Dallas Zoo.

Applications for the leadership class are currently available, and I strongly encourage you to apply. I assure you that it will be one of the best experiences of your career as a young attorney.