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Feature TYLA Affiliate

Austin Young Lawyers Association - Pro Bono Prom
By:  Sally Pretorius, Andrae Law, PLLC

On September 22, 2012, Austin lawyers grabbed a date and a corsage and danced the night away at a sold out Pro Bono Prom held at Austin City Hall. But this wasn’t like the prom that you remember; this prom featured specialty cocktails, food, entertainment, and the crowning of … a Pro Bono Prom Court? Yes, six local lawyers were crowned to the first ever Pro Bono Prom Court. More importantly, approximately $27,000.00 was raised for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid.

As a member of the inaugural class of the Austin Bar Association/Austin Young Lawyers Leadership Academy, I am honored to tell the story of how the first ever Pro Bono Prom Court came to be.

The Leadership Academy is a group of 35 existing and up-and-coming leaders in the Austin legal community. It was organized and led by Austin’s own, and former TYLA executive committee members, David Courreges and Karin Crump. Academy members were able to learn more about Austin and participate in both an all-day leadership workshop and a series of lunches with local leaders.

We were given the chance do a service project to leave our mark on the community. Our group decided that we wanted to do something that related directly to our profession, so we decided to give money to Texas RioGrande Legal Aid, which had contributed more than $76,000 toward the Bastrop wildfire-relief efforts. How to do it? When one class member suggested that we hold a gala, another suggested that we have a prom—a Pro Bono Prom. We quickly came to the conclusion that a party would not in itself not raise much money. More genius ensued—local lawyers could compete for the title of Prom King and Queen! Whoever raised the most money would win. We were sold!

Over a few weeks, we recruited nine well-respected lawyers, who all happily jumped on the bandwagon. Nominees for Prom King were Colin Newberry of Hay Compere, PLLC; Keith Maples of Noelke, English, Maples, St. Leger, LLP; Jordan Mullins of McGinnis, Lochridge & Kilgore, LLP; and Mike Golden of Boulette Golden, LLP. Nominees for Prom Queen were Amy Welborn of Chamberlain McHaney; Courtney Dickey of Home Away; Mindy Montford, Attorney at Law; Shannon Meroney of Aetna; and Stacey Martinez of Fulbright Jaworski, LLP.

Planning moved quickly from there. Our class members secured Austin City Hall as the venue, thanks to a sponsorship by Mayor Lee Leffingwell, and found donors of beverages, food, and services. The entire class called in personal connections to obtain sponsorships.

It is inspiring what nine individuals can do when motivated by a common goal (and a little bit of rivalry). The nominees launched campaigns, plastered their Facebook walls with old prom pictures, sent inspiring emails and made personal attempts to raise money for Texas RioGrande Legal Aid. Eventually, the first ever Pro Bono Prom Court was crowned:

Prom King: Colin Newberry
Prom Queen: Mindy Montford
Prom Prince: Jordan Mullins
Prom Princess: Amy Welborn
Prom Duke: Carlos Salinas
Prom Duchess: Jackie Davis

In honor of the Leadership Academy’s hard work, the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid named a fund that will help fund legal expenses for their clients in our effort’s honor: “The Leadership Impact Fund.” I have never been so inspired by a group of people, and I get goosebumps thinking about what an amazing group of people I worked with. The end result was a great party, thrown by great leaders to recognize inspiring individuals. Most importantly, the Leadership Academy nearly tripled its original fundraising goal. Our class learned about individual personalities and leadership styles, rallying and remembering that when we all come together, we can exceed expectations and accomplish something truly fabulous.