The happy hour, held at Hilgers House on June 10, 2021, was the Austin Bar’s first official in-person event since the pandemic began. It was also the first time members of the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy class of 2021 and the organizing committee were able to meet each other in person. This year, due to COVID-19, the Leadership Academy was held entirely on Zoom.  The class of 2021 was made up of 18 members who were selected from applications submitted by lawyers of all areas of practice, firm size, and levels of experience. Members of the class of 2021 were Kristy Blurton, Alexa Cedillo, Eric Cuellar, Jillian French, Alana Goycochea, Will Hailey, Alec Herzog, Hunter Hudson, Thomas Just, Kiera Kilday, Alan Lin, Stephanie Louie, Daniella Lyttle, Kara O’Shaughnessy, Daniel Olds, Maximilian Raileanu, Hannah Vahl, and Mariana Villareal.

The year began in January 2021 with a day-long virtual opening retreat.  Kirk Watson, Founding Dean of the Hobby School of Public Affairs at the University of Houston shared his 10 lessons to live by; Michael L. Alexander, Certified Myers Briggs coach, led the class in a Myers Briggs exercise; Justice Chari Kelly and Pflugerville Council Member Hon. Rudy Metayer shared their leadership journeys with the class; and AYLA President David King welcomed and addressed the class. The retreat was followed by five monthly lunchtime presentations during which participants heard presentations by leaders in public policy, government, the private sector, non-profit organizations, and the Austin Bar.

• January: Judge Pitman shared leadership tips and his leadership journey; Austin Bar Spotlight from Megan Honey Johnson, co-chair of the Pro Bono Committee;
• February: Natalie Lynch, Attorney at Law and Larry O’Donnell, engineer and attorney, former President and COO of Waste Management, was the very first Undercover Boss, gave tips on leadership and overcoming imposter syndrome. Austin Bar Spotlight from Austin Bar President, Kennon Wooten;
• March: Mayor Adler discussed the state of the city and leading throughout the pandemic; Austin Bar Spotlight from Lawyer Well-Being Committee co-chair Diana Reinhart;
• April: Randy Clark, President & CEO of Capital Metro discussed his leadership journey and how he fulfilled his goal of becoming a CEO by the age 40; Austin Bar Spotlight from Mindy Gulati,  Equity Committee leadership team member; and
• May: The Hon. Judge Karin Crump and Austin Bar President-Elect, David Courreges, who are the founders of the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy.

The class culminated with the happy hour in June celebrating the end of the program and the return of in-person social events.

The goal of the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy is to assist Austin-area lawyers in making a difference in the community, serving the bar, and promoting professional development. Each class chooses a project to be completed during the Leadership Academy’s five-month program. The class of 2021 is raising money to supply the children’s playrooms in the new Travis County Civil and Family Courts Facility with toys, books, and games.  CLICK HERE for more information on the project and to contribute.

The Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy organizing committee for 2021 was led by co-chairs Ayeola Williams and Elliott Beck. Committee members were Brian Aslin, Haley Bullard, Sam Denton, Lindsey Drake, Sarah Harp, Jessica MacCarty, Rachel McKenna, Ciara Parks, Justin Rosas, Gracie Wood Shepherd, and Mitch Zoll.

Applications for the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy Class of 2022 will be available in November 2021. The new class will begin in January 2022.