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The International Bar Association's (IBA) "Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year" award was created in 2008 through the partnership of LexisNexis and the IBA, the world's leading organization of international legal practitioners, bar associations and law societies. During the opening session of the Young Lawyers Committee at the IBA Annual Conference, the award ceremony occurs. At that moment, according to the 2009 "Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year" Bruno Barata Magalhaes, the life of the winner changes, starting with their speech to the public presented at the session. "There is no doubt that the prize is very important to the curriculum of the winner, but more important than the award itself, is how to identify the benefits from it for the good of other lawyers, young or not, and the society in general," says Bruno.
The award was established to recognize a young lawyer who demonstrates professional excellence, a reputation for or advancement of legal ethics and professional responsibility, service to the community, and other merits such as an innovative approach to their legal practice including pro bono work. Bruno, a young lawyer from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil received the award in October 2009.
"It is difficult for a person writing about his own example," Bruno explains. "But it is important to mention the benefits of the award not only for the winner, but for his country. Before receiving the award, the project of development of the Brazilian Young Lawyers Association was born. As the President of the most important national association in Brazil in defense of the young lawyer and the law student, I led the development of several tools to help them enter the labor market and improve their knowledge. Launched in August 2009, the Brazilian Young Lawyers Association had less than 100 associates. Since the award, membership has grown to over 400 associates. Our pro bono work with young lawyers and law students is rewarding by itself when we see our associates improving their knowledge and reaching positions in the labor market."
Before the award, I was developing pro bono in the area of consumer defense answering legal doubts of the citizens by e-mail. Today, in addition to my consumer defense column in a newspaper and answering e-mails, I am also the legal advisor for a major newspaper in Rio de Janeiro answering weekly questions from consumers."
This is the essence of the IBA Outstanding Young Lawyer of the Year Award. Using the award on behalf of the population is the greatest reward you can get. The support of LexisNexis, collaborator of the award, gives you not only the financial and intellectual support, but friends and partners for life," Bruno says humbly.
These are just some of Bruno's accomplishments over the last six months. Think of what the next six months will bring.
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