As I read Sarah’s post about time spent outside the office, a flood of different thoughts passed through my mind.

First, I always feel like I have no time for anything. Second, bar associations? I can’t even figure out why I am always going to bed at 1 a.m., when it makes the morning extra-uber miserable. Third, why did I go to law school again?

I keed, I keed. Sort of. The desire to strike an ideal work-life balance has been a struggle for me since day one of my associate’s career. I am not at a crazy and scary BigLaw firm, but my firm does expect its associates to make their goals.

As one of the few associates in one of the smaller branch offices, I know it is easy to feel like you are on a very depressing island, churning away at a thankless career. As I see young attorneys, especially my fellow bloggers who seem to find the time and energy to help the community, participate in bar or professional organizations, be a supportive spouse AND raise kids, I want to hang my head in shame (and I’m neither married nor have kids).

I have been making headway where I can — participating in this blog, getting more involved in a professional organization catering to corporate defense counsel and… oh yeah, the small task of trying to make my associate goals.

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Earlier this month, I participated in the American Bar Association’s Midyear Meeting in New Orleans. Aside from the obvious benefit of being in a great location I’ve never been to before, the meeting was a perfect example of some of the benefits of being active in the bar.

Of course, there were excellent CLEs and panel discussions. Not only did I attend an educational event put on by the ABA Criminal Justice Section, but I also participated in one at Tulane Law School.

There, I had the honor of discussing careers in criminal justice alongside a sitting U.S. District Court judge and the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana, which gave me an opportunity to learn and to hopefully impart something helpful to a room full of law students.

The ABA meetings are also an opportunity to recognize those attorneys and judges who are doing great things nationally and back in their home states. A member of Maryland’s delegation was awarded as a finalist for the ABA National Outstanding Young Lawyer Award. Recognitions such as these are important not only for the recipient but also for those in attendance as inspiration to do better in our profession and communities.

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I had the pleasure Thursday night of attending my first Baltimore County Bar Association banquet, colloquially known as “The Prom.” The Prom was held at Martin’s West, a place I had not been – coincidentally – since my own high school prom.

In the weeks leading up to the event, I heard great stories about bar banquets past. Only lawyers and judges can attend the Prom, and the lack of spouses and significant others may account for the legendary tales.

While last night was not as rowdy as days of yore, one great tradition remained intact: throwing rolls at the keynote speaker. I’ve asked around the courthouse to see if anyone knows the origin of the tradition to no avail. But I learned it is upheld no matter the level of dignitary at the podium. Spiro Agnew once gave the keynote while vice president; even with the Secret Service in the building, he was still pelted with dinner rolls. Last night’s keynote, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, came prepared with a basket of rolls to fire back at the crowd.

Throwing rolls is indicative of the general mood at the Prom. Even though everyone is dressed in their finest black-tie garb, no one takes themselves too seriously, and I think that’s precisely why it was so much fun. (The lobster dinner and open bar didn’t hurt, either.) It was a great opportunity as a young lawyer to see respected judges and lawyers let their hair down, a reminder they like having a good time just as much as the next guy.

Even though the banquet is a great party, it’s also a good place to make connections. The guest list is a who’s who of Baltimore-area lawyers and judges. One person last night told me that he gets more business in an hour at the Prom than in a week at the office, and I don’t doubt it. For every law school classmate, law clerk and former coworker I caught up with last night, I met three new lawyers.

If you’ve never been before, the Baltimore County bar banquet is a rite of passage that can’t be missed – and one professional event you won’t dread attending.

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The weather has been warmer than normal in Maryland this winter season, but Jan. 28 at Sandy Point State Park, I don’t think I will be thinking about the abnormally warm weather or the fact that the Chesapeake Bay is one- or two- degrees warmer as a result.

Most likely, my thoughts will range from, “Why am I doing the Polar Bear Plunge again?”, “When — or will — I get the feelings in my fingers and toes back?”, and “Should I do this again next year?”

I recently had a discussion with a colleague regarding my quasi-work related commitments, which include work with the Maryland State Bar Association, Baltimore County Bar Association, and construction-related trade organizations.  (Polar Bear Plunge falls under the MSBA.)

“Why get involved,” he asked, “when it takes time away from work or family or recreation?”

My response: first, it is work-related; and second, it’s for a good cause. Taking part in activities, both substantive and for pleasure (if jumping into 33-degree water can be defined as pleasurable), with bar associations and trade organizations is work. These activities are part networking, part marketing and part educational.

There are obvious benefits to being active in a trade organization that may lead to potential clients, but bar associations participation also leads to referrals and business development. Further, it’s surprising how one bonds with his or her fellow attorneys after spending 10-to-20 seconds in freezing cold water together.

Additionally, most bar association work falls within the “good cause” category. Whether it is the betterment of the profession or raising money for the Maryland Special Olympics or providing pro bono assistance to individuals in need, there are a number of reasons why an attorney should be active in their local and state bar associations.

So, for me, plunging into the deep blue bay on a cold day in January to raise money for the Maryland Special Olympics is just another day at the office. If you are interested in taking the plunge, check out this flyer and sign up.

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Special Olympics

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