O’Flaherty Law Partner Dashawn Cason has been elected Secretary of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for 2026–2027
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August 12, 2026
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O’Flaherty Law Partner Dashawn Cason has been elected Secretary of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division for 2026–2027
O’Flaherty Law is proud to announce that Partner Dashawn R. Cason has been elected Secretary of the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (ABA YLD), a national leadership position that reflects his continued commitment to the legal profession, professional development, and service.
The ABA Young Lawyers Division officially lists Cason among its 2026–2027 officers alongside Chair Lauren Barnes Williams and Chair-Elect Nancy Maurice. The election took place during the ABA’s 2026 Annual Meeting, with YLD elections scheduled for July 31 through August 1.
The ABA Young Lawyers Division provides opportunities for newer attorneys across the country to become involved in professional development, public service, policy, and leadership within the legal profession. The Division has more than 200 leadership positions and encourages young attorneys to use those opportunities to advance national initiatives and causes.
As Secretary, Cason joins the YLD's senior officer leadership. The ABA identifies the Secretary position as part of the Division's "Chair-line," making the election an important step in YLD leadership.
For Cason, the position is also the latest chapter in years of involvement with the ABA and its Young Lawyers Division. His previous ABA leadership has included serving as Legal Pathway & Law Student Outreach Director, while ABA leadership records have also identified him as a member of the ABA Board of Elections.
In his candidate statement, Cason outlined a vision focused on strengthening leadership transitions within the Young Lawyers Division and helping attorneys make better use of the opportunities available through the organization.
One of his priorities is improving the transfer of institutional knowledge between incoming and outgoing YLD leaders. He explained that stronger transition processes can allow new leaders to spend less time learning the mechanics of their positions and more time carrying out the work of the Division.
Cason also emphasized creating stronger pathways into, through, and beyond the Young Lawyers Division. His vision includes helping law students better understand the value of the YLD as they enter the profession while expanding engagement with attorneys from different backgrounds and practice settings, including rural attorneys and lawyers who entered law as a second career.
That emphasis on opportunity is particularly meaningful given Cason's own background. He is an Illinois native and a first-generation college and law school graduate. At O'Flaherty Law, he is a Partner serving Central Illinois and handles litigation and transactional matters involving governmental and corporate clients.
His practice includes civil litigation as well as counsel to governmental and business leaders on matters including tax and labor and employment issues.
Cason's election is an accomplishment not only for him personally, but also a reflection of the role Central Illinois attorneys can play in shaping the legal profession nationally.
The ABA Young Lawyers Division describes its Assembly as its principal policy-making body and offers young lawyers opportunities to help shape the profession through leadership, advocacy, professional development, and public service. Cason's progression through the organization demonstrates a long-term commitment to that work.
His candidate statement made clear that service remains central to his approach to leadership. Rather than viewing the position simply as a professional title, Cason described his candidacy as an opportunity to serve the Division and help create systems that will benefit the attorneys who come after him.
At O'Flaherty Law, we believe strong attorneys should also be strong contributors to their communities and the legal profession. We are proud to see Dashawn take on this national leadership role and bring the perspective of a Central Illinois attorney to the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.
Please join us in congratulating Dashawn R. Cason on his election as Secretary of the ABA Young Lawyers Division. We look forward to seeing the impact of his leadership in the year ahead.
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