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

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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.