Austin Bar Blog

Join the Austin Young Lawyers Association Health & Wellness Committee for a FREE 2-hour instructor-led Intro to Bouldering Class on May 21, 2022, at 12:00 at Austin Bouldering Project-Springdale. Come learn the basics of bouldering, have a fun workout with fellow young lawyers, and join us after class for a beer or cider nextdoor at Friends and Allies Brewing + Austin Eastciders. AYLA members who attend will also receive an AYLA dri-fit shirt and other fun door prizes. Register here.

How to Get More Business than You Can Handle

Thursday, April 21, 2022 | 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM CT

Presented by Brad Houston.

To RSVP and receive the Zoom link please email Joseph Gagen.

Thank you to everyone who attended our Homecoming on Friday night! Your presence made the 19th annual gala a splendid affair! The Austin Bar Foundation appreciates your participation and support.

19th Annual Austin Bar Foundation Honorees: 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

 
The Distinguished Lawyer Award: Ashton Cumberbatch | Karen Kennard | Laura Bellegie Sharp

Read more here.

We appreciate you and your commitment to the Bar as a member, as part of a section, or committee. We want to offer you a free photography session with the firm of JRussell Photography, who specializes in “Executive Portraits,” beginning May 16, 2022, through the 20th from 8am-4pm. There is no better time to commemorate your membership with the Bar as we move towards a new year. The photography session will take place at Hilgers House located at 712 W. 16th St. in Austin, Texas at no cost for you. A professional portrait photographer will photograph you in several poses and you can view your proofs immediately on-site. The photo you select will be included in the Bar’s online directory. Additional portraits are available to those wishing to purchase, but there is no obligation.  
 
Please call JRussell at 512-266-8921 to schedule your session. You can also schedule online at www.goJRussell.com (choose "Schedule" from the menu, then choose "Guest Account" for the calendar). If you do not schedule either by calling or online, JRussell will call to set-up a session with you.  We hope you participate in obtaining your headshot and enjoying the experience with us. We look forward to seeing you at Hilgers House.

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.

Uncontested: President-Elect: Justice Chari Kelly, Secretary: Mary Ellen King, and Treasurer: Maitreya Tomlinson. Amanda Arriaga will become President on July 1, 2022.
 
Directors (4 positions with a two-year term): Sandy Bayne, Elliott Beck, Leslie Boykin, Sam Denton, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble, Mike Johnson, David King, Sarah Nicolas, and Shelby O’Brien.

Electronic ballots will be sent to members on Wednesday, April 13 and will close on Wednesday, May 4. Please contact DeLaine Ward if you have any questions.

Congratulations to the participants winning in our contest during Membership Appreciation Week. You showed your knowledge of judicial history in Central Texas by identifying lawyers and judges based on photographs.
 
Winners: Jonathan Buck identified 14 of the 22 lawyers and judges. 2nd: Beryl Crowley, 3rd: Cathy Tabor, 4th: Judge-elect Mary Ann Espiritu.

Join us at Hilgers House for a week of activities as we show our appreciation for you. Great food and Prizes!

Tuesday: Taco & Tech Tuesday from 8:00-10:00am
Wednesday: Wellness Wednesday from 8:00-10:00am
Thursday: Throwback Thursday (Virtual Event)
Friday: FriYAY Friday from 5:30-7:00pm

Also, the following free CLES will be presented online during Member Appreciation Week:

Tuesday: Legal Standards & Ethical Duties in Technology Competence
Wednesday: How Trauma Affects Lawyers and What to do About It
Thursday: Lessons Learned as a Seasoned Attorney with Judge Soifer
Friday: Texas Marijuana Criminal Law & Local Enforcement

Find more information here!

Thomas Michael Davis ended his 28 year battle with cancer surrounded by his family Wednesday, March 30, 2022. Mike, a lifelong resident of Austin, was born November 26, 1952. He was a graduate of the University of Texas and an honors graduate of St. Mary's Law School. In 1993 Mike, his father Tom Davis, and Mike Slack founded Slack Davis Sanger. Mike was certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, and he was a selected for membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). He was extensively published and was in demand as a lecturer on advanced personal injury topics and was recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer. Read his full obituary here.

The Austin Bar has teamed with the ABA Section on Civil Rights and Social Justice to co-sponsor an emergency webinar on April 7th dealing with Ukraine’s Refugee Crisis as millions of refugees are streaming from Ukraine into neighboring countries. Soon other countries, including the United States, will be receiving these refugees who were forced to leave their homes with very little and few hopes. This webinar will address resettlement and many other issues associated with this migration.
 
Date: Thursday, April 7, 2022
Time: 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. ET
Format: Free non-CLE Webinar
Register Here