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Feature TYLA Affiliate

Texarkana Young Lawyers Association Hosts Judicial Dinner
By:  Cyndia Hammond

The Texarkana Young Lawyers Association held its annual Judicial Dinner on August 31, 2010. Local lawyers and judges look forward to the event each year. The 2010 Judicial Dinner was the first to be held in the fall instead of the spring so that the annual Attorney of the Year Award could be presented at the Judicial Dinner. Over ten local judges attended the dinner held in their honor as Texarkana YLA expressed their appreciation to the judges for their service. Special recognition was given to Judge John Miller, judge for the 102nd Judicial District in Bowie and Red River Counties, Texas, who will be retiring at the end of the year.

At the Judicial Dinner, the Texarkana YLA honored the 2010 Texarkana Attorney of the Year, Judge Kelvin Wyrick. Judge Wyrick is an example of professionalism to the local legal community, and has been a mentor to many young lawyers. While in private practice in both Texas and Arkansas, Judge Wyrick saw interactions with young attorneys as an opportunity to teach professionalism and courtesy. Many local attorneys remember the kindness and helpfulness of Judge Wyrick when he could have taken advantage of youth and inexperience. However, Judge Wyrick has always treated all lawyers with respect, regardless of age. The Texarkana, Arkansas community suffered a tragic loss in 2009 when a local judge died before the end of his term. Judge Wyrick accepted the temporary appointment as circuit judge through the end of 2010. Judge Wyrick was chosen as the Attorney of the Year for his willingness to serve the bar and the public in its time of need.

The Judicial Dinner also provided the perfect venue to announce an upcoming visit from the Arkansas Supreme Court to local attorneys and judges. The Texarkana YLA and the Texarkana Bar Association will honor the justices of the Arkansas Supreme Court by hosting a dinner on October 6, 2010, and providing meals for the Court following oral arguments the next day. The justices will hear oral arguments on a case the morning of October 7, and will travel to different schools to speak to students and answer questions that afternoon.