AYLA
, / , / , / ,
The 2025-26 Austin Bar and AYLA year concluded with an end-of-year reception held May 28 at Hilgers House.
At the reception, outgoing Austin Bar President Maitreya Tomlinson honored committee and board chairs with special awards in recognition of their efforts throughout the year. Outgoing AYLA President Jenna Malsbary also presented AYLA’s annual awards.
Austin Bar Awards
Outstanding Director Award: Will Hailey
The Outstanding Director Award went to Membership Committee Co-Chair Will Hailey in recognition of his efforts guiding the committee and its subcommittee in conducting the Austin Bar’s Membership & Engagement Survey in March.
In cooperation with the Mentorship Committee, this survey was sent to a large swath of both member and non-member attorneys in Austin, soliciting their responses to questions about how they engage with the Austin Bar, what would make them more likely to engage and stay or become members, and asking for suggestions about how the Austin Bar’s services could be improved.
Will is currently guiding two groups of the Membership Committee’s members to conduct in-person focus groups and individual phone interviews to follow up on the survey data. With both the survey data and the responses from these focus groups and interviews, the Membership Committee will generate a list of actionable recommendations for 2026-27 President Judge Maya Guerra Gamble.
Will was also recognized for his efforts in helping with the Austin Bar’s second annual Golf Tournament on April 16. Will helped with signage setup, moving tables in the ballroom, and taking payments and distributing tickets for mulligans and the awards raffle.
This year’s Golf Tournament went exceptionally smoothly because of Will’s efforts.
Outstanding Committee Chair Award: Scott Brutocao and Judge Sylvia Holmes
The Outstanding Committee Chair Award was co-awarded to Bench Bar Co-Chair Scott Brutocao and Austin Bar Foundation Gala Committee Co-Chair Judge Sylvia Holmes.
Soliciting and corresponding with speakers and coming up with topics for Bench Bar is no simple matter, but Scott has taken on that responsibility for many years. This year’s Bench Bar featured a wide variety of speakers from many different practice areas and practice environments.
Bench Bar is an important event, and we appreciate Scott’s willingness to shoulder the bulk of the speaker and presentation portions for so long.
This year’s Gala theme was “A Radiant Future” and took inspiration from Mid-Century Modern art à la The Jetsons. Judge Holmes gamely took this theme and handcrafted the centerpieces on the tables in the Four Seasons Ballroom at the Gala, as well as the other decorations at the event.
This was no small feat and took many hours, not to mention the transportation of the decorations to the venue. We’re so grateful to Judge Holmes for bringing Maitreya’s vision to life and helping to make the Gala a success.
President’s Award of Merit: Alex Conant
The President’s Award of Merit went to Fundraising Committee Co-Chair Alex Conant, who headed fundraising for this year’s Golf Tournament.
Despite having no prior experience running a golf tournament, Alex hit the ground running and reached out to and followed up with both potential players and sponsors.
Because of Alex’s efforts, this year’s Golf Tournament earned a profit of $31,000—more than double last year’s.
Thank you, Alex, for your incredible work.
Maitreya Tomlinson Recognized for His Service
At the end of the Austin Bar program, incoming President Judge Maya Guerra Gamble presented Maitreya with a plaque in recognition of his efforts and accomplishments during his term.
AYLA Awards
Outgoing AYLA President Jenna Malsbary presented the AYLA awards during the reception.
Amazing Advocate Award: Samantha McCoy
The AYLA Amazing Advocate Award was presented to Samantha McCoy in recognition of her extraordinary and wide-ranging commitment to victims’ rights advocacy.
Beyond her day-to-day professional work on behalf of victims, Samantha dedicates significant personal time to advancing advocacy efforts at the local, national, and global levels. She speaks and presents at conferences across the country, contributes to the drafting and passage of legislation protecting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence, and was among the advocates instrumental in enacting the “Take It Down” Act. She also participated in a United Nations referendum on victims’ rights.
Within AYLA, Samantha leads Law Day and legal education programming, the AYLA Day of Service on MLK Day, and Community Service Days, and serves as an editor of Austin Lawyer.
Her dedication, reach, and impact make her a singular force for justice and safety in our community and beyond. It is a privilege to have Samantha on the AYLA Board of Directors.
Outstanding Director Award: Roslyn Warner
The AYLA Outstanding Director Award was presented to Roslyn Warner in recognition of her innovation, dedication, and consistent contributions to the organization.
Roslyn led AYLA’s Health and Wellness Committee throughout the year, organizing a diverse array of member events, including:
- Yoga sessions
- Hiking outings
- Group runs
- Educational programs
She also was committee lead of AYLA’s submissions to Austin Lawyer magazine, coordinating with board members and article authors to ensure timely and quality contributions.
Roslyn brought enthusiasm, positivity, and a spirit of genuine support to every role she undertook this year, and her efforts meaningfully strengthened the AYLA community.
Excellence in Leadership Award: Jasleen Shokar
The AYLA Excellence in Leadership Award was presented to Jasleen Shokar, AYLA Director and incoming member of the 2026-27 Executive Team.
Jasleen demonstrated exceptional leadership this year in her dual roles as lead organizer of the 25th Annual Judicial Reception and co-lead of the Leadership Academy. Her strong organizational skills, collaborative approach, and initiative ensured the success of every program she touched.
Jasleen also spearheaded a social media initiative aimed at increasing member engagement and organizational visibility. She presented to the AYLA Board of Directors on LinkedIn’s algorithmic framework and developed a strategic communications plan to ensure AYLA’s events received appropriate attention and reach.
Under her leadership, the Leadership Academy received an outstanding curriculum and produced a highly successful capstone project, reflecting the program’s continued growth and ambition.
Outstanding Committee Chair Award: Ryan Pitts
The AYLA Outstanding Committee Chair Award was presented to Ryan Pitts, a first-year AYLA Director who has demonstrated exceptional leadership and engagement since joining the board.
Ryan took the helm of several of AYLA’s most active committees, serving as chair of Docket Call and as the AYLA liaison to the Bench Bar Planning Committee.
He managed monthly events and meetings with diligence, maintained clear communication with committee members, and ensured thorough follow-through on all planning matters.
In addition to his committee responsibilities, Ryan was a consistent presence and supporter at AYLA events throughout the year. He also delivered a fantastic CLE presentation on appellate practice in May.
Ryan brings professionalism, enthusiasm, and a strong work ethic to everything he undertakes, and AYLA looks forward to his continued leadership.
President’s Award of Merit: Kelly Combs
The AYLA President’s Award of Merit was presented to Kelly Combs in recognition of his steadfast service and generous spirit.
Kelly has served as AYLA’s liaison to the LGBTQ Section of the Austin Bar Association for several years and is being honored this year for his invaluable behind-the-scenes contributions to AYLA events.
Whether picking up name tags for Docket Call, helping set up for social events, or assisting with takedown following AYLA’s largest fundraisers—including Tailgate for a Cause and the Crawfish Boil—Kelly volunteered reliably and without hesitation.
AYLA is deeply grateful for Kelly’s time, effort, and leadership and is pleased to present him with this well-deserved recognition.
Jenna Malsbary Recognized for Her Service
At the end of the AYLA program, incoming President Gracie Wood Shepherd presented Jenna with a plaque in recognition of her efforts and accomplishments during her term.
