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Take Note

View This Month's TYLA President's Opinion
Natalie Cobb Koehler
TYLA President





Making the Case
Texas lawyers work hard to protect the rights of everyday Texans. We also work hard to give back to our communities by volunteering and serving in leadership roles. We help communities recover from natural disasters and help veterans secure the benefits they deserve. We may not spend a lot of time talking about our commitment to public service, but we need to. The State Bar has created an online portal — www.texasbar.com/makingthecase — with resources to help you lead a conversation with a community group about the role of lawyers and the judicial system in our society. You’ll find a civic engagement toolkit as well as inspirational profiles about trailblazing Texas lawyers. You can also request a copy of the “We Are Lawyers” DVD by emailing Judy Marchman or calling (800) 204-2222, ext. 1520.
 

Oyez, Oyez, Oh Yay!
State Bar President Bob Black has worked with the State Bar Law-Related Education Department on Oyez, Oyez, Oh Yay! Civics Resources for Texas Students and Teachers, an interactive web-based project to assist Texas teachers and their students in preparing for the new Texas Essential and Knowledge Skills (TEKS) standards, which took effect Aug. 1, 2011. The website will include links to landmark court case decisions that students are required to study, as well as videos and other multimedia tools, and teacher resources. Toolkits are also available that include information on the new TEKS standards, as well as a sample case summary, sample teaching strategies, a list of online resources, and other curriculum ideas from Law-Related Education.
 

TYLA's Minority Scholarship Program
The TYLA Minority Involvement Committee was created 26 years ago to facilitate and encourage minorities entering the legal profession as well as promote higher participation from minority lawyers in TYLA and State Bar of Texas activities and programing. TYLA's Minority Scholarship Program accomplishes both of these objectives. Aimed at helping ease the financial burden for law students, this scholarship program will award  a $1,000.00 scholarship for one student from each of the 9 ABA accredited law schools in Texas. Applicants must be a member of a recognized minority group which includes gender, race, national origin, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientation and gender identity and persons with disabilities. To access the application, individuals can go to the TYLA website or contact their respective law school's financial assistance office.  Applications need to be emailed, faxed or postmarked no later than October 14, 2011 to TYLA, 1414 Colorado Street, 4th Floor, Austin, Texas 78701, btrevino@texasbar.com.  Please help spread the word of this great opportunity for law students!


Liberty Day
Liberty Day asks all young lawyers in Texas to “adopt a 5th grade class”.   This entails receiving a free sample of our Liberty Day pocket Constitution and Teacher's Packet to show to their local elementary school principal and 5th grade teachers.    Liberty Day will supply a free sample to any young lawyer who volunteers for the program.   The cost to “adopt a class of 25 students” is $28 which includes a pocket Constitution for each 5th grader, a Teacher's Packet with detailed lesson plan on helping teach the 24 Q&A’s to the 5th graders and access to Liberty Day’s online teacher and student resource suite with additional information to help teachers teach the contents of the U.S. Constitution to their students and worksheet, activities, games and online quiz for the 5th graders. It also includes an American flag lapel pin for each student (while supplies last)! Shipping is included in the price. From more information, please contact Andy McKean, President of Liberty Day, or visit the Liberty Day website.
 

Back-to-School Savings through the State Bar Member Discounts Program
Take advantage of the State Bar Member Discounts Program to save money this summer on car rentals, cruises, resorts, and theme park tickets. Visit texasbar.beneplace.com for more great savings from dozens of retailers and service providers. State Bar Member Discounts — A new way for Texas lawyers to shop!
 

TYLA Local Leader Directory
Please email the TYLA office if there are any changes to your local affiliates contact information.

 

If your affiliate has an upcoming event that you would like featured in eNews, please forward the information to Bree Trevino or contact eNews Co-Chairs Kenneth C. Riney or Brooke Ulrickson Allen.
 

Ten Minute Mentor
Ten Minute Mentor is a TYLA project that debuted in 2004 as a means for sharing concise and practical advice that is always accessible online. Since that time, it has proven its enduring appeal as one of TYLA's most successful projects. More than 50,000 people have visited the site, and we continue to average more than 2,000 segments viewed each month. You can visit the site at www.tenminutementor.com.



Support Pro Bono Legal Services and Let Everyone Know It!
The Texas Young Lawyers Association needs your help to support and promote free legal services for indigent Texans by purchasing a specialty license plate. The license plate proudly states that you support "Justice for All" and can be purchased for only $35.00 per year.

$25.00 from the purchase of each plate will be deposited into an account supporting legal services to the poor. If you would like that plate personalized, you can get your plate for $70.00 per year. To purchase your plate today, simply fill out an application and send your check, payable to the Texas Department of Transportation, to the following address:

Vehicle Titles and Registration Division (SPB)
Texas Department of Transportation
Austin, TX 78779-0001
To pay online click here.
 

Make New Connections with Texas Bar Circle
More than 14,000 of your peers have joined Texas Bar Circle - our social and professional network for Texas lawyers. Join today and reconnect with colleagues, find jobs, explore opportunities, and have fun. The power of Texas Bar Circle is in the connections you will make. Visit here.
 

TYLA Annual Report 2010-2011
Want to know how TYLA is serving its members and the community? Then be sure to read the 2010-2011 annual report, which details the activities of TYLA during the 2010-2011 Bar year. Click here for a copy or call 800-204-2222, ext. 1529 and we'll send you a copy.