TYLA Office

Tracy Brown, Director of Administration
Bree Trevino, Project Coordinator

Michelle Palacios, Office Manager
General Questions: tyla@texasbar.com

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 12487, Capitol Station
Austin, Texas 78711-2487
(800) 204-2222 ext. 1529
FAX: (512) 427-4117

Street Address

1414 Colorado, 4th Floor
Austin, Texas 78701
(512) 427-1529

 

Views and opinions expressed in eNews are those of their authors and not necessarily those of the Texas Young Lawyers Association or the State Bar of Texas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 2012

Editor's Column
Editor's Column

You are the State Bar of Texas
By:  John W. Shaw

          In June I had the privilege of attending the New Directors’ Orientation for the Texas Young Lawyers Association after being elected to serve as the board member representing District 10, Place 2. It was an action packed weekend of leadership training that included introductions to my fellow new directors, the executive committee, and the amazing staff who work tirelessly to keep the association running successfully.

Top Story

CRIMINAL LAW 101: Simplifying the Criminal Process (State and Federal)
By:  Baylor Wortham

          No matter your area of practice, you know they are coming.  They are inevitable.  They are unavoidable.  They are criminal law questions.  Whether you are at the office or at a family reunion, you know it is merely a matter of time before someone comes to you with questions regarding a “friend” who was recently arrested for driving while intoxicated or perhaps a cousin who was busted with illegal drugs.  Questions such as: “How long will he have to stay in jail?”  “When does the court set bail?” “This is his first offense, will he get probation or will there be jail time involved?”  “If he pleads, will he get deported?” “How long will it take for the case to go to trial?”

Feature TYLA Project

TYLA’s Truancy Guide
By:  Rebekah Steely Brooker

          I loved going to school.  I was the kid who had virtually perfect attendance from elementary school through high school.  I enjoyed making new friends, learning from different teachers, and studying many different subjects.  Every year I got excited to get new books, go to different classes, and show off my new Trapper Keeper.  Although my excitement may have dwindled some as I grew older, and I no longer used a Trapper Keeper, I always genuinely liked going to school.  Now, I get to enjoy the excitement of my two young sons as they start school each year and make new friends, and it is always fun to see everyone’s first-day-of-school pictures on Facebook.

Feature TYLA Affiliate

Check Out HYLA’S “Minority Report"!
By:  Wendy Miller

ATTN: HYLA Members: You do not have to look far to find the best location for useful and up-to-date local, state, and national links for resources assisting in the practice of law for Minority lawyers and law students. It is now available for you to access on our HYLA website!

Tips For Young Lawyers
Tips For Young Lawyers

Lawyers Should Defend Their Health As Much As They Defend Clients
By:  Nikki G. Maples

          If we weren’t taught by our parents or gym teachers the value of good health, we certainly cannot continue to blame them for not having the knowledge today.  It seems like everywhere one turns, there is an ad for a gym, a health food brand, or a sporting event.  Perhaps if those marketing attempts didn’t catch your attention, the ads for hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and funerals had a momentary effect on you.  All of this is to say, it is no secret: There is value in good health. 

Article of Interest

Inside the Office of Chief Counsel at the Transportation Security Administration
By: Christopher Gee, Attorney-Advisor, Transportation Security Administration

          "Really… so what exactly do you do every day?” This is the response I frequently get when I tell people that I am a lawyer for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), a high-profile, highly scrutinized organization within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. TSA was established in the aftermath of 9/11 and was charged with protecting the nation’s transportation systems while also facilitating the freedom of movement for people and commerce. Implementing this mission has come with a wealth of legal issues that agency lawyers work through with their respective stakeholders on a daily basis. In this article, I hope to provide a brief background on TSA’s creation, explain the role that agency lawyers have in supporting TSA’s mission, and highlight some of the unique legal challenges that only land on your desk when your employer is responsible for screening approximately 1.8 million people at more than 450 airports every day.

ABA YLD Update

ABA’s Young Lawyer Division Offers Services for You and the Public
By:  Anita Barksdale         

          The American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division ("YLD") is proud that it can give young lawyers around this country and the world the opportunity to gain knowledge, develop skills, build networks, be heard, and give back.  YLD is also proud that this year, YLD's Texas affiliates have made great strides to impact other lawyers and our communities.  This year, various YLD affiliates including Texas Young Lawyers Association (TYLA), Houston Young Lawyers Association, Smith County Young Lawyers Association, Lubbock County Young Lawyers Association, and Austin Young Lawyers Association took home Awards of Achievement for stellar projects that provide excellent service to the public and to the bar.  To see a complete list of winners for the ABA Awards of Achievement, please click here.

Texas Access To Justice Commission Update

Texas Access to Justice Commission Recognizes Champions of Justice Law Firms
2012 Campaign Raises almost $1 Million for Texas Legal Aid

          The ATJ Campaign involved law firms in each of the four largest cities in Texas – Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio. Attorneys were encouraged to make the suggested $150 Access to Justice Contribution on their State Bar of Texas dues statement. Winning firms were selected based on two criteria -- the highest percentage of contributing attorneys within their firm as well as those firms with the highest overall contribution. Firms were divided within the four cities based on number of attorneys – large, mid-sized or small firm.

Important Dates To Remember
Important Dates To Remember

October 5, 2012
TYLA grant checks mailed to TYLA Local Affiliate grant recipients

October 12, 2012
TYLA deadline to receive TYLA Minority Scholarship applications

October 18-21, 2012
ABA YLD Fall Conference - Charleston, SC

Take Note
Take Note



View This Month's TYLA President's Opinion
C.E. Rhodes, TYLA President

 

We would like to thank our Platinum Sponsor FTI Consulting



TYLA Presents

Given that this is a presidential election year, many Texas citizens will head to the polls to vote next month. For many high school seniors, it will be their first time to exercise their right to vote. TYLA is doing its part to encourage high school seniors to register and vote by presenting Vote America! Honor the Fight, Exercise the Right!

The TYLA presented Vote America! to high school seniors at McAllen Memorial High School and Nikki Rowe High School in McAllen, September 6-7, 2012.  The Vote America! video was shown, trivia question were asked, and prizes were awarded.  The Advocacy Alliance Center of Texas registered students to vote.  Between 800-1000 students were served by this event.

TYLA board members presented ¡Protéjase! Luche Contra el Fraude”—which means Protect Yourself! Fight Against Fraud.  This is a  public service campaign designed by Dallas Association of Young Lawyers which consists of three 30 second television and radio public service announcements, an educational booklet, and a companion website (www.lucheelfraude.com).  TYLA board members informed the members of La Union Del Pueblo - LUPE of the different types of immigration fraud, notario fraud and consumer fraud. Pamphlets and CD's containing valuable resources and information were handed out to the community.  The project was presented to about 75 people and were addressed in Spanish to the mainly Spanish speaking crowd. 

TYLA’s Diversity and Law Focused Education committees hosted a symposium at the University of Texas-Pan American on Thursday, September 6, 2012. The symposium was held to roll out one of TYLA’s newest projects, “What Do Lawyers Do?”  The symposium consisted of an hour-long panel discussion with members of UTPA’s pre-law society. The goal was to educate students about the path to law school and the diversity of lawyers and of the legal profession.   The roughly 35 students were able to pose questions about tips for getting into law school as well as how to find work-life balance as a practicing lawyer.


TYLA Minority Scholarship Program

Each year, TYLA awards a $1,000 scholarship to one minority student at each Texas law school. The scholarship promotes diversity in the legal profession by assisting members of minority populations within the bar to (1) enter the legal profession and (2) participate in the programs and activities of TYLA and the State Bar of Texas. The application deadline is October 15, 2012. The scholarship awards are distributed before the Spring semester. For more information please click here.


Scholarship for Law Student Division Members Only:  Legal Professionalism Award:  Two scholarship recipients will be chosen from among the Law Student Division applicants (Texas law school and out-of-state student members may apply). Each recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship.  For more information, please click here.


Call for Entries! 2012 State Bar of Texas YouTube Contest
Beginning on Constitution Day, September 17, the State Bar of Texas launched its 2012 YouTube contest. This year's theme is "Compromise in a Democratic Society" and is geared toward Texas middle school and high school students. Students are asked to create a video between 1 and 2 minutes long answering the following question: "Why is compromise important to our democratic society?" Students are encouraged to think about how compromise played a significant part in the framing of the U.S. Constitution and in other significant moments in U.S. history, as well as ways students have had to use compromise in their own lives. The contest has two categories, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12, with one $1,000 scholarship available in each. Students may enter individually or as a team/class. The deadline for entries is December 14, so there's plenty of time to enter. Please spread the word to your local schools! For more information, visit www.texasbar.com/justicefortexas.

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 August 1, 2011. The website includes 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.  For a toolkit, which includes a video sample on Marbury v. Madison, contact Blair McBride or call (800) 204-2222, ext. 1726.

 
Back-to-School Savings through the State Bar Member Discounts Program
Take advantage of the State Bar Member Discounts Program to save money on computers and books. 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 affiliate's 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 Robert E. Booth and Leif Olson.




Ten Minute Mentor
Ten Minute Mentor debuted in 2004 to share concise and practical advice that is always accessible online. Since then, 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!
TYLA 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 costs only $35.00 per year, or $70.00 for a personalized plate.

$25.00 from the purchase of each plate will go to support legal services to the poor.  To buy your plate, simply fill out an application and send your check, payable to the Texas Department of Transportation, to:

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 15,000 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 2011-2012
Want to know how TYLA is serving its members and the community? Then be sure to read the 2011-2012 Annual Report, which details the activities of TYLA during the 2011-2012 Bar year. Click here for a copy or call 800-204-2222, ext. 1529 and we'll send one.