CLE has to at least be a first cousin to death and taxes, as it is equally inevitable for all practicing attorneys. No matter how responsible you think you are, there will always be a year (or five) where you’re sitting at home on New Year’s Eve waiting to see if your CLE will end before the ball drops. It’s a rite of passage, and it happens to the best of us. Luckily, 2022 does not have to be that year!

As a group, the Young Lawyers Division excels at getting excited about things. We get excited aboutcommunity service, we get excited about packing Bar Exam Survival Kits, we get excited about fundraising. Today, I want to talk to you about something I’m excited about: the 2022 Solo & Small Firm Conference.

After canceling the conference the past two years due to the pandemic, we are eager to swap our blazers and slacks for Hawaiian shirts and swim trunks and spend some time in the sun. This year, the conference will be held at the Choctaw Casino Resort in Durant from June 23 to 25. It will offer a litany of CLE opportunities in topics ranging from cannabis lawto cutting-edge law firm technology. Not only will you get to treat yourself and your family to a mini summer vacation, but you’ll also be able to head home having obtained all your CLE for the year.

Aside from the resort’s numerous amenities, the YLD will be providing a hospitality suite. In the past, our hospitality suite has involved things like hand-rolled cigars and limbo contests. If you want to find out what we have planned for 2022, you’ll just have to come to see for yourself. We always have a great time! If you don’t believe me, check out the shirtless guy in a grass skirt in the photo.

All jokes aside, the Solo & Small Firm Conference is one of my favorite CLE opportunities offered by our bar association. As I stated in my introductory article a few months ago, we attorneys are social creatures. It is in that spirit that I view this conference as much more than a mere CLE opportunity. It’s a celebration. It’s a day in the sun after what George Harrison would call a “long, cold, lonely winter.” Join us. Bring your family. Let’s celebrate together!

Members can take advantage of the early bird registration fee of $250 from now until June 6. After that the price will go up, so get after it! I can’t wait to see you all there. Come say hi. I’ll be the guy hanging by the pool between seminars.

More information about the 2022 Solo & Small Firm Conference can be found online
at www.okbar.org/solo.

Mr. Erwin practices in Oklahoma City and serves as the YLD chairperson. He may be contacted at derwin@holladaychilton.com. Keep up with the YLD at
www.facebook.com/obayld.