The following candidates are running for officer and director positions on the 2024-25 AYLA board.
The new board will take office on July 1, 2024, along with Emily Morris, who will serve as AYLA’s 2024-25 president. Morris has been on AYLA’s board since 2019 and has served as secretary, treasurer, and president-elect.
Electronic ballots will be sent to members on Friday, April 26, and will close on Friday, May 17 at 4 p.m.
The following candidates are running uncontested for officer positions:
President-Elect: Jenna Malsbary
It would be an honor to serve on the AYLA executive board as president-elect. I was a director for four years, am the current treasurer, and have worked on the Community Service, Membership, Pro Bono, Holiday Program, Tailgate, ABA Equity, and the MLK Day of Service committees.
Treasurer: Gracie Wood Shepherd
I work at Friday Milner Lambert Turner, where I practice family law and appeals. I have served on the AYLA board as a director from 2021 to 2023 and as secretary in 2023-24. I was in the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy class of 2019 and am currently serving as co-chair for the Academy.
Secretary: Lena Proft
I’ve been involved in AYLA since 2018. I’ve served as the government liaison, a director, and co-founded the Health and Wellness Committee. I am passionate about community service and lawyer wellbeing. I want to continue my service to AYLA and the bar by serving as the next AYLA secretary.
Current AYLA President-Elect Emily Morris will assume office on July 1.
President: Emily Morris
She has been on AYLA’s board since 2019 and has served as secretary, treasurer, and president-elect. She works as corporate counsel at PowerSchool.
The following candidates are running for four available director positions, each with a two-year term:
John Boone
I am an Austin family law attorney. I have been a member of AYLA since 2021. I have served as a committee co-chair and am a graduate of the 2023 Leadership Academy. As an AYLA director, I will encourage and foster community involvement and engagement.
Alex Conant
I want to be a director because of how much AYLA helped me during my career. I started participating immediately out of law school, and AYLA provided a lot of important support in my early career. As a result of that, I am a founding member of the Freshquires Committee, which focuses on first- to third-year lawyers and helping them in their early careers.
Roslyn Dubberstein
I practice administrative and utility law at Lloyd Gosselink. In my spare time, I like to cook and spend time outside with my fiancé, Calvin, and our spunky 12-year-old pup, Penny. I would love to support the Austin legal community by contributing new ideas and building camaraderie.
Amy Rodriguez
I am an associate at the Austin office of Leland Shaffer LLP. I practice civil litigation and have extensive experience in environmental and regulatory law. I am the treasurer for the Hispanic Bar Association of Austin and on the board of the HBAA Charitable Foundation.
Jasleen Shokar
I practice healthcare litigation as an associate attorney at Turek Law Firm PC. I attended UT Austin and St. Mary’s Law. I’ve been an AYLA member since 2022 and served on the Austin Bar’s Gala Committee. I currently chair the executive committee for the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy as project lead.
Abigail Ventress
I became a member of AYLA soon after I moved to the Austin area. I practice civil litigation and appeals, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. I’m proud to work for a firm that encourages these opportunities, and I’m hoping to become an involved leader in AYLA.
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