A chapter run by people in the same career stage as you

Why we exist

Practice in the first decade is hard, and the local bar associations are structured for partners who’ve already built their book. RYLA exists for everyone in years one through ten — the lawyer who wants to ask “is this normal?” without it being a career-defining question.

How we work

• Mentorship matching. Every new member is offered a mentor in their first 60 days. We match by practice area where we can.
• Monthly CLE. Wednesday evenings, 90 minutes, accredited. Hybrid by default. Always recorded for members.
• Pro-bono coordination. Our board liaison sits on the local legal aid’s volunteer committee. We surface their open matters monthly.
• Quarterly socials. Bar nights, occasional family-friendly weekend events, one annual fundraiser for the legal aid clinic.

How we got here

Started in 2014 as a Slack group of seven Riverside-area associates who couldn’t find anywhere to ask procedural questions about the local bench. Incorporated as a 501(c)(6) chapter of the county bar in 2017. Crossed 100 members in 2020, 200 in 2024. Still board-led, still volunteer-run.