Austin Bar Blog

Three awards for outstanding community and professional service and mentoring are presented each year to deserving people in our community. The awards being given are: Liberty Bell (awarded to a non-lawyer), Outstanding Young Lawyer, and AYLA Mentor. They will be announced at this year's Bench Bar Conference being held May 5th.

Thursday, March 23, 2023
5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CT

Wiggle Room | 612 Nueces St.

Legal Writing: Lessons from the Bestsellers List
Wednesday, March 1, 2023 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM CT

Join AYLA for a CLE on Legal Writing: Lessons from the Best Sellers List. Chad Baruch will present on tips to improve legal writing in motions and briefs.
Speaker Chad Baruch, Johnston Tobey Baruch PC. Read Chad's bio here.

Register here.

Please join us for our 2023 Austin Criminal Law Retreat! Cosponsored by ACDLA & the Criminal Law Section of the Austin Bar Association.

March 3rd- 4th | YO Ranch Hotel. Register and see the retreat schedule here.

The following awards will be given out at the Annual Bench Bar Conference, May 5, 2023, Norris Conference Center.  

Larry York Mentor Award – This award will honor a Central Texas lawyer or judge who has demonstrated exceptional skill and generosity in mentoring younger members of the bar.  Must have practiced for at least 10 years.

David H. Walter Community Excellence Award – This award honors an Austin Bar member who has recently made a significant impact in the community and, at the same time, raised the profile of the bar.
Joseph C. Parker, Jr. Diversity Award – This award is given annually to a lawyer who demonstrates excellence in promoting the ideals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the legal profession and community.

Professionalism Award – This is a joint award from the Austin Bar Association and the Texas Center for Legal Ethics and Professionalism – The recipient will be a lawyer who best exemplifies, by conduct and character, truly professional traits, who others in the bar seek to emulate, and who all in the bar admire.  

Regina Rogoff Award – This award from the Austin Bar Association recognizes outstanding public sector service and serves as a lasting tribute to the career achievements of Regina Rogoff, Executive Director of Legal Aid of Central Texas. 

For more information please contact Delaine Ward. Nominations are due by March 22, 2023 and the nomination form can be found here.

Philip Eugene Sanders Sr. died peacefully on January 30, 2023 at the age of 92. Throughout his life, “the Judge,” as he was affectionately nicknamed, used his legal skills and his servant leadership abilities to try to make the world a better place. Read his full obituary here.

Harry Milner Whittington of Austin passed away peacefully on February 4, 2023 at age 95. As a solo practitioner for his entire career, Harry went to his office every day, even into his mid nineties. Harry engaged in a wide range of law and public service, much of which was spent in litigation against the City of Austin. Read his full obituary here.

Classified advertising is available as an added resource for our members and related professionals. Classified ads for office space, and items for sale such as office furniture, equipment, etc. will be accepted.

Cost: $100 for four weeks of advertising. Classifieds are limited to 50 words or less.  Ad will run for four weeks on this page, and a link to this page will be provided in Bar Code, emailed to members each Tuesday. Ads must be renewed each month to continue for an additional four weeks. Payment must be received before ad will be placed. Learn more here.

A valuable benefit of your Austin Bar Association membership includes access to a wide range of CLEs to keep you informed and help you maintain your CLE hours each year. Don't miss the slate of CLEs being offered by the Austin Bar Association during this week!

Civil Rights & Immigration: Effective Legal Writing to the Immigration Court | February 22, 2023

Business, Corp & Tax: Contracts Drafting From a Litigator's Perspective | February 23, 2023

Solo Small Firm: Know before you Go: Situations where attorneys may get a call from the government…. And how to avoid them | February 23, 2023

A valuable benefit of your Austin Bar Association membership includes access to a wide range of CLEs to keep you informed and help you maintain your CLE hours each year. Don't miss the slate of CLEs being offered by the Austin Bar Association during this week!

Back to Basics: Legal Writing 101 for Immigration Attorneys | February 15, 2023

Managing the Two Most Common Personality Disorders: How to develop an effective strategy for your settlement negotiations | February 15, 2023

Estate Planning Concerning Animals | February 15, 2023

Eminent Domain Section Legislative Update | February 15, 2023

Rules Updates and “TRAPs” | February 16, 2023

Moderated Discussion on Cognitive Biases in Legal Decision Making | February 16, 2023

Attorney volunteers will provide brief legal advice in their preferred practice area(s) to veterans in need. Walk-ins are welcome or you may pre-register online.  Sign up starts at 1:30 p.m. and please sign in before 3:30 p.m.

Veterans can also complete an intake application via phone. Call 512.472.0279 x110 to see if you qualify. For more information, please see the click here.

Volunteers may select a specific time slot or attend the entire duration of the clinic to provide advice. Volunteer here.

Monday, March 20, 2023 | 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM CT

Austin VA Outpatient Clinic | 7901 Metropolis Drive |  Austin, Texas, 78744