Austin Bar Blog

Please join us at Hilgers House on Thursday, June 2, 2022 from 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM CT for an AYLA members networking event with the TCWLA. Take this opportunity to meet other AYLA and TCWLA members while enjoying refreshments and light bites.

Register here.

The Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy Class of 2022 is proud to announce that our class project for this year is the renovation of the Victim-Witness Room at the Gardner-Betts Juvenile Justice Center. To raise money for this important project, the Leadership Class will host Lawlapalooza, a fun-filled day of games, competition, food, and prizes for all who attend. The event will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the outdoor lawn of the Austin Bar Foundation Hilgers House.
 
If you would like sponsor Lawlapalooza, make a donation, or purchase tickets, please visit this link.

Family Friendly event welcomes the new Travis County Judges to the Bench – Judge Jessica Mangrum, Judge Maria Cantu Hexsel, Judge Madeleine Connor, Judge Aurora Martinez Jones, and Judge Cleve Doty.

Join us: Saturday, May 21 at Hilgers House from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Judges remarks at 4:30 p.m. we’ll have a food truck, Amy’s Ice Cream, face painting and more!

More information here | RSVP: Delaine@austinbar.org

The May issue of Austin Lawyer available. Get the scoop on proactive tactics promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace, see the Austin Bar Foundation award winners for 2022, learn about LatinX Judges breaking barriers in Texas, get tips on creating a peaceful office space, Practice Pointers, the latest from AYLA, and more.

Congratulations to the honorees named at our Homecoming Gala! 

Your contributions to the legal community, commitment to volunteerism, mentorship, and DEI help to make Central Texas a better place. We appreciate you!

David H. Walter Community Excellence Award: Leah Bhimani Buratti
Larry F. York Mentoring Award: Colleen Sullivan
Joseph C. Parker Award for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Kennon Wooten

Distinguished Lawyers honorees:

These trailblazers are assets to the legal community. Hear them in their own words along with their family, mentors, and friends.

Ashton Cumberbatch

Karen Kennard

Laura Bellegie Sharp

Congratulations to all the award winners!

The time is now to participate in our 2022 Austin Bar Board Election. Members will receive a ballot from BallotBox. Cast your vote! Four director candidates will be elected. The candidates are: Sandy Bayne, Elliott Beck, Leslie Boykin, Sam Denton, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Mike Johnson, David King, Sarah Nicolas, and Shelby O’Brien.
 
The board plays a vital role in the programs and initiatives set forth by the Austin Bar. Your vote makes a difference. Go to our website to learn more about the candidates here.

The 2022 Annual Bench Bar Conference will be held Friday, June 3rd at the Austin Country Club. Experience a team of judges sharing knowledge on the various topics to ensure you are “in the know” with the judicial process and best practices. Bench Bar sponsorships and registration are now available here.

The Caldwell County Veterans Service Office is hosting a FREE in-person legal advice clinic for Active Duty Military Service Members, Veterans, and military family members! June 29, 2022, 1:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Caldwell County Justice Center, 1703 S. Colorado St., Lockhart, TX.  If you’re able to volunteer for this in-person clinic, please click here to sign up.

The Austin Lawyer is seeking applications for a co-editor. The editors of the Austin Lawyer solicit articles, edit copy, and contribute their own articles as space allows. The position of editor is a great opportunity to amplify diverse voices in the Austin Bar community and to encourage a wide variety of content for our readers. Interested applicants please send a statement of interest and a résumé to Sonta Henderson by Friday May 27, 2022. The time commitment is approximately ten hours a month, to edit next month’s copy and assist with soliciting articles for upcoming issues. The ideal candidate has a love of writing and editing and keen attention to detail. Please apply to be a part of a wonderful team serving our legal community!

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.

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

Veterans can also complete an intake application via phone.  Call 512.472.0279 x110 to see if you qualify.

Volunteers may select a specific timeslot or attend the entire duration of the clinic to provide advice. Sign up here.