Q&A With Incoming AYLA President Gracie Wood Shepherd

Gracie Wood Shepherd is the AYLA president for the 2026-27 Bar Year. Following is a Q&A we conducted with Gracie to get to know her and find out what plans she has for her term.

Tell us about yourself. What do you like to do for fun? Pets, family, or activities outside the profession?

I was born and raised in Austin. I went to Texas A&M for undergrad (Gig ’Em) and Baylor for law school. I was very involved in student organizations and community service both at Texas A&M and Baylor Law School.

My husband, Brian, is a lawyer as well, and we have two little boys. I love the chaos of being a boy mom. We spend most of our time playing outside and hanging out with friends and family.

Tell us about your law practice.

I am a partner at Friday Milner Lambert Turner, PLLC, and we represent clients in family law cases.

In the last several years, I have increased my family law appellate practice, but I represent clients in all areas of family law.

Although family law can be challenging, I really enjoy family law because I often feel like I am able to make a positive impact in the lives of my clients and their children.

Why and how did you first get involved with AYLA?

I joined the AYLA/Austin Bar Association Leadership Academy shortly after I became licensed. I wanted to find a way to get involved in the Austin legal community and build roots coming back to Austin as an adult.

I found the Leadership Academy to be the perfect entry point to get involved with AYLA, meet other young lawyers, and get experience in our legal community.

Tell us about some of your goals and plans for the upcoming year.

My goal is to help young lawyers expand their networks and connections, both with other young lawyers and more seasoned professionals in our community.

I want all young lawyers to feel connected and included in our Bar.

What would you say to young lawyers to show them the benefit of joining AYLA?

There are times when being a lawyer is really tough. I think it is crucial to have colleagues and friends in our profession, both in our own area of practice and in other areas of practice, to call on and rely on during some of the tough times in this profession.

We all undoubtedly will also be asked by our own individual networks for referrals for other areas of law, and AYLA is a great resource to make those connections.

The City of Austin can feel very large sometimes, but having a network like the people you will meet through AYLA makes the city feel small.