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Feature TYLA Affiliate

Ector and Midland County Young Lawyer Associations’ Evening with the Judges
By:  Angela M. Shimek - President, Ector County Young Lawyers Associaton

          On Thursday, March 29th, the Ector and Midland County Young Lawyer Associations held their annual fundraiser, Evening with the Judges.  Established in 2007, this annual fundraiser brings together attorneys, judges, and elected officials from across Ector, Midland, and surrounding counties for a night of great food, fellowship, and fun. 

          The Honorable Judge Robert A. Junell, United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas (Midland-Odessa Division), charismatically introduced this year’s honored guest speaker, The Honorable Sam Sparks, United States District Judge for the Western District of Texas (Austin Division).  Judge Sparks reminisced about “the way it was” when he began practicing and delivered a delightful message encouraging all attorneys to embrace the value of arm’s length negotiations and the integrity of establishing and maintaining professional and amicable relationships with opposing counsel both inside and outside the courtroom. 

          With almost two hundred guests in attendance, this year’s event set a record for attendance, and was an enjoyable experience for all involved.  Sincere appreciation goes out to all attorneys and firms who sponsored the event, and to attorneys Angela M. Shimek and Daniel Harper of Odessa, Christine Schwartz Nichols and Kelly Stapler of Midland, and Pete Fierro of Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas, who spearheaded the event.  Proceeds from the 5th Annual Evening with the Judges were donated to Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas in honor of the late Judge John G. Hyde, who served as District Judge of the 238th District Court, Midland County, for 22 years.