YLD Leadership Academy

What is the Leadership Academy?

Founded in 2006, the Young Lawyers Division Leadership Academy of the State Bar of Georgia is a program for young lawyers who are interested in developing their leadership skills as well as learning more about their profession, their communities and their state.

The Leadership Academy counts more than 500 alumni. Those alumni members include solo practitioners, judicial law clerks, partners in large and small law firms, assistant district attorneys, public defenders nonprofit lawyers, ADR specialists and in-house counsel for Fortune 500 companies. The benefits of having a friend and legal resource in practically every corner of the state and in any practice area cannot be overestimated.

Who Should Apply?

YLD members who have a history of involvement and leadership in their communities, offices and/or profession; who want to become more involved in the YLD and State Bar; and, who want to network with state and national leaders and hear their perspectives on effective lawyering and leadership should apply.

How to Apply

Click here to download the 2025 Leadership Academy Brochure. Click here to complete the application.

Full and partial scholarships are offered to participants on the basis of need. To be considered for a scholarship, applicants must also complete the scholarship application. Selection of applicants is independent of those who apply for a scholarship.

The deadline to complete the application and scholarship application (if applying) is Friday, Sept. 20. Letters of recommendation are required. Please email letters of recommendation to yld@jieyangw.com no later than Friday, Sept. 20. No extensions will be granted.