Click here to 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 it's newest public service video Slavery Out of the Shadows: Spotlight on Human Trafficking at South Texas College of Law, Thursday, January 31, 2013 from 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.  The video and presentation has been approved for 1 hour CLE credit, and lunch will be provided.  The Houston Bar Association is a co-sponsor.  For more details on the event, please click here.

Lawyers Needed to Judge Competition during ABA Midyear Meeting in Dallas
The ABA Law Student Division needs 85 lawyers and judges to participate as competition judges for the 2012-13 Negotiation Competition National Finals during the ABA Midyear Meeting February 8-9, 2013 at the Hilton Anatole Hotel in Dallas, TX. Lawyers interested in objectively evaluating the negotiation skills of the top 24 (out of 228) law student teams from across the country and giving them useful feedback are asked to visit here for more details and to sign up. Texas lawyers may earn self study CLE credit.  Please contact Peggy Pissarreck if you have questions.

Insurance and Member Benefits Update
The State Bar of Texas Insurance and Member Benefits Subcommittee continues to study ways for the State Bar to better serve members. The State Bar is offering a free CLE webcast, Affordable Care Act: Important Information About Your Choices,  on January 30 and March 6 to educate members about health insurance and the Affordable Care Act. To register, visit texasbar.com/insurancetraining. Participants will receive 1.5 hours of CLE credit.

This February, solo and small firm practitioners will receive a survey from the State Bar gauging their interest in participating in a group plan to try to get lower cost health insurance. The survey results will determine if there is enough member interest for group coverage. As an incentive to complete the survey, an iPad Mini will be given away for every 5,000 returned surveys.

Visit texasbar.com/insurance to take advantage of current options available through the State Bar of Texas Insurance Trust and eHealthInsurance.

Savings through the State Bar Member Discount Program
Visit texasbar.com/discounts to take advantage of the State Bar Member Discount program. Save money on vacations, computers, clothing, gourmet chocolate, televisions, and more! Visit often – the site is updated regularly with new deals!

Friday Update
The State Bar of Texas is committed to keeping its members informed on proposed legislation that might be of interest to the legal profession as the legislative session progresses. The Friday Update is a weekly e-newsletter which includes summarized information and links to relevant bills. To subscribe, please click here.

The Texas Bar Journal wants to hear from you!
Have you received an honor or recognition? Have you recently accepted a new position or moved? Keep the Texas legal community informed by submitting your news at texasbar.com/tbjsubmissions. Your news could appear in an issue of the Texas Bar Journal.

Oyez, Oyez, Oh Yay!
State Bar of Texas Past President Bob Black worked with the State Bar Law-Related Education Department to create 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 Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, which took effect August 1, 2011. The website includes links to landmark court decisions that students are required to learn, case studies, videos and multimedia tools, teaching strategies, and other online resources. For a printed toolkit contact Blair McBride or call (800) 204-2222, ext. 1726.

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.

TYLA is Co-Sponsoring the Following CLE Courses.  Register now to save $50! TYLA members can save $75!  New attorneys can attend for $95!  Please see below for more information:

Success Strategies and Key Lessons for Young Lawyers
Houston - Live Presentation - March 1, 2013, Crowne Plaza River Oaks (713-523-8448)
More Info or Register

Handling Your First (or Next) DWI Case 2013 
Austin - Live Presentation - March 1, 2013, Texas Law Center 
MCLE Credit: Approximately 6.5 hours, including .75 hr ethics expected.
More Info or Register

Can't make it to Austin? Watch via Live Webcast in the comfort of your own home or office!
LIVE WEBCAST - March 1, 2013 - From 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
More Info or Register

17th Annual Choosing & Courting a Jury Course: Legends in the Courtroom
Houston - Live Presentation - March 8, 2013, Westin Galleria Hotel (713-960-8100)
MCLE Credit: 6.5 hrs (including 1 hr ethics) which applies to the Texas Board of Legal Specialization in Civil Appellate, Civil Trial, Criminal Appellate, Criminal, Family, Juvenile and Personal Injury Trial Law.
More Info or Register