From Community to Courtroom: The Best of the YLD

Mock Trial Matters: Margaret Manning on Growing a Statewide Program

In this episode, District 1 representative Margaret Manning shares why High School Mock Trial is the committee closest to her heart. She discusses the program’s statewide structure, recent improvements, and plans to fully modernize it with digital tools, training videos, and a dedicated website. Margaret also previews the 2026 state competition in Shreveport held at the federal courthouse where her own legal career began.

From Community to Courtroom: The Best of the YLD

In this episode, Kristen Amond reflects on nearly a decade of service with the LSBA Young Lawyers Division and shares why the people, not just the programs, have been the most rewarding part of the journey. This conversation highlights how YLD programming supports both community impact and professional growth, with a special focus on the popular Level Up Learning series, including hands-on CLEs that draw lawyers at every stage of their careers.

A New Era for Mock Trial: Websites, How-To Videos & Tech Tools

In this episode, Margaret Manning shares how LBF grant funding is helping transform Louisiana’s High School Mock Trial program. She highlights the new website launching, complete with past problems, FAQs, and upcoming how-to videos featuring LSU law students. Margaret also explains how new digital tools will streamline scoring, pairing, and tournament logistics, making mock trial more accessible to students, teachers, and coaches statewide.

Running, Winning & Leading: The Paths of Kristen Amond & Collin Melancon

In this episode, Kristen Amond and Collin Melancon share their paths through the LSBA Young Lawyers Division, from starting on committees and joining the Leadership Class to running for the District 1 seat (against each other!) and eventually stepping into executive leadership. A candid, funny, and insightful look at how young lawyers grow within the YLD and why service to the profession matters.

A Young Lawyer’s Gumbo: Crafting CLEs for Young Lawyers

Inthis episode, District 1 representative Jennifer Gordon Lampton shares her“young lawyer’s gumbo” approach to CLE programming. She explains how the YLDpulls ideas from a diverse mix of committee members including defense,plaintiff, in-house, public interest, law clerks, and more to create broad,practical CLEs that serve young lawyers across every practice area inLouisiana.