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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

          Our orientation was on the heels of the State Bar of Texas annual meeting in Houston, and we were honored to have several members of the state bar leadership speak with us. These members included: President Buck Files, President-Elect Lisa Tatum, Immediate Past President Bob Black, Chair of the Board Frank Stevenson, Executive Director Michelle Hunter and TYLA’s Supreme Court Liaison Justice Paul Green. They all had their own messages about the importance of our roles as directors representing the young lawyers in our districts. Something that Buck Files said, however, stuck out to me and continues to do so.

          “You are the State Bar of Texas.”

          When Buck (he has instructed me not to call him Mr. Files) said this, he was sharing with us the message that he imparted upon the State Bar membership who were in attendance at the annual meeting. It is a message that he continues to spread as he visits with local bar associations throughout the State. Buck was at that time, and continues to be, inclusive of every member of the State Bar of Texas, including the Young Lawyers Association when he makes this statement. Here’s some good news for you, my fellow young lawyers.

          “You are the Texas Young Lawyers Association.” 

          Our organization is inclusive of every young lawyer member of the State Bar of Texas who is 36 years of age and under or was initially licensed within five years prior to June 1. This inclusiveness results in a membership as diverse as the great State of Texas. Our membership includes young lawyers who are in solo practice, employed at big firms, in-house counsel, government lawyers, and legal aid lawyers; young lawyers who are African-American, Hispanic, Caucasian, Asian, female, and male; young lawyers from both rural and urban areas. It is this diversity that makes our organization great. It is this diversity that will continue to make this organization great. Don’t believe me; check out this video created in 2010 to celebrate 80 years of TYLA.   

          In this month’s edition of eNews the diversity of our organization is again highlighted with articles related to criminal law, juvenile truancy, wellness for young lawyers, an inside look at what practicing law with the Transportation Security Administration is like. There are also updates from the ABA Young Lawyer Division (the new Chair of which is our very own Chris Rogers from Dallas) as well as the Texas Access to Justice Commission.

          We hope that you enjoy this month’s issue of eNews, and remember, “You are the Texas Young Lawyers Association.” If you would like to see something particular in a future issue of eNews, contact us and let us know. Better yet, get involved with a committee, volunteer to write an article and help carry on the proud tradition of diversity that is TYLA.