Austin Bar Blog

CLICK HERE to view the jury trial schedule at the HMS Courthouse for the week of Aug. 19, 2019.

A text is sent to members on Mondays mornings of each jury trial week with a direct link to this schedule. To opt in, text “Austinbar” to 313131

CLICK HERE to view the jury trial schedule at the HMS Courthouse for the week of Aug. 5, 2019.

A text is sent to members on Mondays mornings of each jury trial week with a direct link to this schedule. To opt in, text “Austinbar” to 313131

CLICK HERE to view the jury trial schedule at the HMS Courthouse for the week of July 22, 2019.

A text is sent to members on Mondays mornings of each jury trial week with a direct link to this schedule. To opt in, text “Austinbar” to 313131

CLICK HERE to view the jury trial schedule at the HMS Courthouse for the week of July 8, 2019.

A text is sent to members on Mondays mornings of each jury trial week with a direct link to this schedule. To opt in, text “Austinbar” to 313131.

D. Todd Smith began his term as President of the Austin Bar on July 1, 2019.  He has hit the ground running and is launching a lawyer well-being initiative.  Yesterday, Smith was interviewed by Angela Morris of Texas Lawyer.  CLICK HERE to read the article.

A new Lawyer Well-Being Committee is now being formed. Co-Chaired by Danielle Ahlrich and Amanda Taylor with assistance by Austin Bar President-Elect Kennon Wooten, the committee’s stated mission is “aiming to educate, support, and connect our legal community to achieve more balanced, mindful, and joyful lives and practices.”

The Austin Bar’s current Health and Wellness committee is being enfolded into this new committee resulting in a committee with a broader focus on lawyer well-being, including addressing the issues of substance abuse, mental illness, and suicide as serious threats to the legal profession.

More information and details on the new initiative will be available in the coming months.

The Austin Bar Association brought home several awards from the State Bar of Texas’ Bar Leaders Recognition Luncheon held on June 13, 2019 at the JW Marriott in Austin. The luncheon was held in conjunction with the State Bar’s annual meeting.

Each year, the State Bar recognizes local bar associations for outstanding community involvement, commitment to increasing access to justice, and dedication to the profession.

The Austin Bar was presented with the Award of Merit in Division III (for local bars with 901 – 5,000 members).

The Award of Merit is an overall award for a local bar’s programming and projects.  Categories considered in the selection of the award are member services, community service, access to justice, law student/young lawyer outreach, social, and communications.

The Austin Bar also won the Star of Achievement Award for its Pro Bono Committee.  This award recognizes outstanding member service and public service projects.

In addition, the Austin Bar was presented with the Outstanding Partnership Award for its Community Engagement Committee.  This award recognizes noteworthy partnership efforts between local bar associations and non-legal entities.

President-elect Todd Smith with Pro Bono Committee Chair Austin Kaplan and incoming Pro Bono Committee Chair Caitlyn Haney with the Star of Achievement Award.

Austin Bar Executive Director DeLaine Ward, and Austin Bar Director of Communications Nancy Gray, with Austin Bar member and paralegal Amber Haney, who was the recipient of the State Bar’s Pro Bono Support Staff Award.

Austin Bar member and Director of TLAP, Chris Ritter, recently lost his wife, Rachelle, to cancer.  The Rachelle Ritter Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by alumni of the Austin Bar/AYLA Leadership Academy to benefit Madeline Ritter, 5-year-old daughter of Rachelle and Chris.

Thank you for your support of the Ritter family during this difficult time.

CLICK HERE to read Rachelle Ritter’s obituary.

CLICK HERE to make your donation to the Rachelle Ritter Memorial Scholarship Fund.

CLICK HERE to view the jury trial schedule at the HMS Courthouse for the week of June 17, 2019.

A text is sent to members on Mondays mornings of each jury trial week with a direct link to this schedule. To opt in, text “Austinbar” to 313131.

CLICK HERE to view the jury trial schedule at the HMS Courthouse for the week of June 3, 2019.

A text is sent to members on Mondays mornings of each jury trial week with a direct link to this schedule. To opt in, text “Austinbar” to 313131.

CLICK HERE to view the 2020 jury trial schedule for Travis County Civil District Courts.