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Editor's Column

Thanks to TYLA!
By Brooke Ulrickson Allen, Attorney,  Brown Dean in Fort Worth

As I approached my last eNews publication, I began to think about my time as a Director of TYLA, and it has been a phenomenal experience. I have been honored to represent District 10 on the TYLA Board for the last four years and enjoyed every minute of this great organization. From the people I have met to the wonderful projects we have created, it has been an inspiring four years. I encourage everyone to become involved with TYLA whether you are on the Board, a committee member, or through your local affiliate and its great projects. Not only have I met friends, I’ve developed an extensive network of colleagues throughout Texas, as well as attorneys I can trust to take great care of my clients if their needs are beyond my expertise or in another area of the State. In addition, I have learned the importance of TYLA and the impact it has on young lawyers and the public.

This year, I chaired the Unconscious Truth: The Physical and Legal Effects of Underage Binge Drinking. TYLA’s goal is to educate students and parents about the signs of alcohol poisoning and the consequences. When I first began this project, I had no idea we were dealing with such a large problem. However, through our research, it became apparent that the myths about drinking were numerous. In fact, I didn’t know that if you put a person who has alcohol poisoning in a shower, it could shock their body, lead to a coma and even death! So, not only did the committee gain education, we are receiving a national response to this project. This is the type of program TYLA creates and implements which I know will save lives, and it is humbling to be a part of such a great organization.

Not only have I had the opportunity to assist the public during my four years, I have also co-chaired Ten Minute Mention Goes to Law School which continued the short-instructional videos of Ten Minute Mentor and provides valuable resources to our future colleagues. Through this project, we also added many sections to TMM which, as a lawyer, I have used several times. For my first jury trial, I watched several videos on “voir dire” which provided some great tips and confidence! TMM and TMMGTLS are great resources that I thankfully know more about because of my time with TYLA.

If you are already involved in TYLA, it is my hope you will stay involved and encourage others to join. If you are not involved, please join us. There are so many rewards you will receive from TYLA – a network of friends and colleagues, the opportunity to assist the public and for pro bono, knowledge outside your expertise through the various pamphlets and videos and the chance to publish articles to help you become an expert in your field. To those of District 10 (Tarrant, Somervell, Parker, Navarro, Johnson, Hood, Hill and Ellis Counties), thank you for allowing me to serve you for the last four years. And to the TYLA Board, thank you for being such an exceptional group of individuals and for everything you do for the lawyers and public.