Arti Hirani sworn in as YLD president, launches ‘Open for Opportunity’ initiative
Arti Hirani, center left, the new president of the Young Lawyers Division, is passed the gavel by the division’s immediate past president, Ashlea Edwards, while former YLD presidents look on. Hirani’s theme for the year is “Open for Opportunity” — a call to action grounded in the belief that licensure alone doesn’t guarantee success, but that meaningful access to employment and mentorship can open doors that many new lawyers struggle to find.
With deep family roots in the profession and a bold vision for the future, Orlando’s Arti Hirani was sworn in as president of The Florida Bar’s Young Lawyers Division on June 27 at the Annual Florida Bar Convention in Boca Raton.
Hirani made clear in her remarks to the General Assembly that the path to this leadership moment was both personal and purposeful.
“I had a very different path here than most,” she said. “I’m a fourth-generation lawyer, and it’s all I ever wanted to be.”
Hirani’s theme for the year is “Open for Opportunity” — a call to action grounded in the belief that licensure alone doesn’t guarantee success, but that meaningful access to employment and mentorship can open doors that many new lawyers struggle to find.
YLD President Arti Hirani, left, with Reno Pierre, who was sown in as YLD president-elect. Pierre, an assistant county attorney at the Broward County Attorney’s Office, actively works with several community outreach, charitable, volunteer, pro bono, and leadership initiatives with local organizations.
“At a time when the profession is evolving rapidly, and access to meaningful legal work can still be elusive for so many, we are focusing on the one most impactful tool we can offer — jobs. Real jobs. Real opportunities practicing in the real world,” Hirani said.
To meet that goal, Hirani announced the YLD’s flagship initiative for the year: Florida’s first statewide YLD job and resource fair, co-chaired by Nick Zbrzeznj and Freddelle Menard, and organized in collaboration with the Bar’s Board of Governors. The fair will bring together firms, agencies, and organizations with young lawyers and recent graduates seeking employment.
“We know that licensing alone doesn’t unlock success,” Hirani said. “Access does. And we intend to open that door wide.”
Alongside that initiative, the YLD will continue its focus on professional growth, ethics, and readiness through its Practicing with Professionalism Committee, chaired by Selina Patel. Hirani said the committee’s work is central to the division’s mission of preparing lawyers not just to enter the profession, but to uphold its highest standards.
The Law School Affiliates Committee, chaired by Tiffany-Ashley Disney and Brittney Polo, will continue to visit every law school in Florida, sharing practical tools and a roadmap for success.
The Basic Skills Course Committee, chaired by Samendio Mathieu and Caitlin Powell, will focus on excellence in CLEs, ethics training, and mentorship. Hirani said the aim is not just to prepare young lawyers for their first jobs, but to equip them with the tools to build long, sustainable legal careers.
“From CLEs to mentorships, core ethics training to professional growth, we are not just preparing lawyers for jobs, we are ensuring our lawyers thrive and have the tools to navigate employment for years to come,” she said.
A Legacy of Legal Service
Hirani practices in the areas of probate, guardianship, estate planning, and both international and domestic tax sheltering. She is licensed in Florida and New York and currently serves as a shareholder at Meenakshi A. Hirani, P.A., where she practices alongside her mother and mentor.
“I’m proud to work for my mother,” Hirani said during her remarks. “I credit you with all of my success. Practicing law under you has been the greatest gift I could have ever asked for. If I become a tenth of the lawyer you are, I’ll be just fine.”
She added: “I’ve met hundreds, now thousands, of attorneys — and my mother is still the finest one I have ever met. She has more degrees and more practical experience, but the best part of her is her big, mushy heart.”
Hirani holds a B.S. in marketing from the University of Florida, a J.D. from Barry University School of Law, an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and an LL.M. in Taxation from UF. She is a past president of the Orange County Bar Association and the Central Florida Association for Women Lawyers and is an active member of the Elder Law and Solo & Small Firm section.
Her deep bar involvement began early — long before law school — when she accompanied her mother to bar functions and witnessed the impact of service firsthand.
“Being a lawyer is one of the highest privileges we can achieve,” she said. “We are doctors of law and order. We get to heal our clients’ legal needs and help shape other young lawyers. That is an honor among honors.”
A Unique Bond
Hirani described the Young Lawyers Division as a special and enduring part of the Bar — one bound by camaraderie and commitment.
“I refer to our profession in dreamy terms because to me, it is,” she said, adding the bonds forged on the YLD are so much stronger because of the sheer amount of work the board accomplishes.
She called the YLD “a family” — one that spans decades and remains dedicated to the mission of supporting new lawyers with meaningful resources, mentorship, and guidance to help them succeed while avoiding professional pitfalls.
She also thanked the Florida Supreme Court, the Board of Governors, and Bar staff, saying the division’s work would not be possible without their support.
As she begins her term, Hirani said her focus will remain on building a profession that not only offers opportunity, but helps lawyers sustain fulfilling and impactful careers.
“From CLEs to mentorships, from core ethics training to professional development, we are not just preparing lawyers for jobs — we are helping ensure they thrive.”
