Jessey is currently second vice chair of the Inclusion, Mentoring and Fellowship Committee
What has been your best experience from your time as a Fellow?
The highlight of my Fellowship experience has been being able to engage with my Fellows class, both interpersonally and professionally. In practice, I often find myself faced with issues that, while business related, are simply outside my wheelhouse. Having access to other Fellows who practice in these related areas to simply give a ring and ask a question about something small or give a referral for something more involved is incredibly rewarding and an invaluable resource to younger lawyers who are still developing those professional networks.
Why did you apply to the Business Law Section’s Fellowship Program?
I applied to be a Fellow in the first place so I could become more involved with the Bar state-wide and work on substantive projects that I would never see in my local bar association. Many of my professional mentors are very active in the Section, and I decided the Fellows program would be a fantastic way to stay engaged in a structured way.
What’s the best piece of advice you have received?
The best advice I have received as a Fellow is to just say “yes” when opportunities arise. Professional associations only work when people volunteer, and I have learned that even a modicum of effort can make a world of difference when important Section work comes down to buy-in from the community. Since everyone is so busy, simply agreeing to take notes at a meeting or send a reminder email for someone can be the difference between a project moving forward now or stalling for another week. When you have the chance to be a value add, say yes!
What is your favorite BLS subcommittee and why?
My personal favorite BLS committee is the Bankruptcy Judicial Liaison Committee. Apart from having an always fabulous dinner at Section meetings, the Committee itself is a great vehicle for the bankruptcy Bench and Bar to communicate directly and discuss the non-substantive aspects of practice.
