AYLA
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AYLA recently sat down with Zach Wiewel to get to know him better. If you are interested in being featured in an AYLA Member Spotlight, please contact debbie@austinbar.org.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and your law practice.
I practice estate planning and probate law at Texas Trust Law. Our firm focuses exclusively on helping individuals and families plan for, preserve, and transition their wealth through wills, revocable trusts, estate tax planning, and probate. I particularly enjoy the opportunity to work with families over the long term and help them thoughtfully plan for the people and causes that matter most to them.
How long have you been involved in AYLA and what has been your best AYLA experience so far?
I joined AYLA shortly after moving to Austin. One of my priorities in moving here was to become involved in the legal community and get to know the attorneys I would be practicing alongside for years to come. My best AYLA experience has been participating in the Leadership Academy. I had the opportunity to meet some incredible attorneys and work alongside them to benefit Casa Marinella, an organization doing meaningful work in our community.
The experience also gave me firsthand appreciation for how important, and difficult, good leadership can be.
What was your childhood dream job?
I wanted to be a movie director. I grew up loving movies and became fascinated by their ability to tell stories, evoke powerful emotions, and explore what people do when faced with difficult circumstances. I imagined creating stories inspired by meaningful moments in my own life and by the people and events I found compelling throughout history.
I suppose I ultimately ended up in a profession where I still get to hear and help shape people’s stories, just without the cameras.
What are some of the things you enjoy most about living in Austin?
By far, my favorite part of Austin is Lady Bird Lake. Whether I’m running on the trails, paddleboarding, or simply enjoying the view, it has always been a refuge for me.
One of my favorite memories is waking up before sunrise in high school to kayak around the lake. I still relish the opportunity to get out on the water early in the morning and experience that same feeling of being removed from the pace of everyday life.
What’s your best piece of advice for young attorneys?
Invest in relationships. You should always be looking for opportunities to become known, not just for what you do, but for who you are and how you contribute. Get involved in organizations like AYLA, build genuine relationships with other attorneys, and look for ways to be useful to the people around you.
And don’t overlook the importance of doing the same within your own firm. Your reputation is built over time, through hundreds of small interactions. If you consistently do good work, treat people well, and make yourself someone others want to work with, opportunities will follow.
