Nicole Leet broke with tradition when she became president of the State Bar of Georgia Young Lawyers Division last weekend.

Leet, a partner with the civil defense firm Gray, Rust, St. Amand, Moffett & Brieske in Atlanta, was installed as the 71st president of the YLD during the bar's annual meeting at the Jekyll Island Convention Center. She immediately proposed abandoning the group's long tradition of organizing a black tie charity fundraiser—a well-attended event that brings in roughly $30,000 a year for deserving groups such as Court Appointed Special Advocates or wounded veterans.

Instead of putting on tuxes, she suggested the bar's youth roll up their sleeves and go to work. For free.