AYLA
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In July of this year, Debbie Kelly celebrated 25 years as the Associate Executive Director of the Austin Young Lawyers Association and Austin Bar Association. If you have ever attended an AYLA event, you were touched by Debbie, whether you knew it or not. Here are some words from past and present AYLA Board members about Debbie Kelly:
Judge Elisabeth Earle (past president of AYLA, 2002-2003) and Alexandra “Za” Leissner (current AYLA Director): Twenty-five years ago, I sat on the committee that hired a new executive director for the Austin Young Lawyers Association. I knew then that we had found someone special, but none of us could have imagined how completely Debbie would come to shape the organization. For a quarter century, Debbie has been the steady hand behind everything AYLA does, from Docket Calls and training programs to judicial receptions, holiday parties, and the countless service projects that have made our association a force for good in Austin. Presidents and boards come and go every year, but Debbe has been the constant, carrying the institutional memory and the heart of the organization.
Today, our family has the rare privilege of seeing Debbie’s work from both ends of a generation. Za is now beginning her own legal career, and she has found in AYLA exactly what I found years ago: a welcoming community, meaningful training, and a place to lead. As a member of the board, Za is learning from Debbie just as I did. That is a remarkable thing. Very few people can say they have guided a mother and then her daughter through the first years of their professional lives, and it speaks to the lasting imprint Debbie has left on the Austin legal community.
Thank you, Debbie, for your dedication, your wisdom, and your genuine care for every young lawyer who has walked through AYLA’s doors. Thousands of attorneys in this city are better lawyers and better citizens because of you. We are grateful beyond words, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with you and your friendship these 25 years. We love you!
Gracie Shepherd (current AYLA president): When I was going through a series of serious medical issues with my baby during my President-Elect year, Debbie was always the one who reached out to me to check on my baby and me personally. Even though AYLA is Debbie’s job, she always looks after the people behind the organization.
Kennon Wooten (past president, 2012-2013): I’ve known Debbie for almost 23 years, and I’ve felt grateful for her every day of those years. Debbie is one of those good humans who works (often behind the scenes) on countless projects and, along the way, improves countless lives. She has overseen multiple volunteer projects that have helped people, including children, in need throughout Travis County. She has assisted with planning multiple networking events that have helped bring lawyers and judges together in invaluable ways. And, with her awesome combination of charm and persistence, she has helped to ensure that the AYLA Foundation and the Austin Bar Foundation have received the type of financial support needed to do consistent, meaningful work in and beyond the local bar community. But above all that, Debbie is a solid friend. She is the kind of friend who shows up when you need her and who helps you laugh and cry when you need a good laugh or a good cry. She goes above and beyond in all walks of life, and I know I’m among many lawyers who consider ourselves very fortunate to know her, to work with her, and to be her friend.
Sandy Bayne (past president, 2019-2020): Debbie, my fondest memories of being involved with AYLA were my times working with you and the board. I was very nervous to serve as president, but because of all of your support and hand holding, I was able to get through it. I will forever be grateful for your support and, more importantly, friendship. Our times planning for Runway for Justice were SO chaotic but so fun! I rarely EVER heard you complain about a thing while you worked tirelessly for all of us. You are an amazing person, and I am proud to call you a friend. Thank you for 25 years of selfless service!
Lena Proft (current president-elect): Debbie is AYLA. Debbie was one of the first people I remember meeting when I first started attending AYLA events. She’s also the one who encouraged me to become a liaison, a director, and later run to be an officer. She supported me when I wanted to start the Health and Wellness committee and has always been someone I can talk to about AYLA, work, or my personal life. She is truly one of the kindest people I know.
Sarah Harp (past president, 2023-2024): I showed up to my very first event, a docket call, before I had even gotten bar results, and Debbie was there. I went home that night and wrote on Facebook that I had found my tribe, mostly because of her. Debbie is a large part of why I’ve been able to succeed in bar service, and she is the total reason why I loved my year as AYLA president. From lunches at Galaxy Cafe to a few evenings at MEC, from our shared love of dogs to our dramatic eyerolls, Debbie has become more than just a staff person, she’s my dear friend.
Austin Kaplan (past president, 2017-2018): Debbie is the heart and soul of AYLA. I truly can’t thank her enough for the positive impact she’s had on my life, and the lives of so many other formerly young lawyers. Thanks to Debbie, we planned fun events like Runway for Justice and Retro Vegas that helped raise money, build community, and led to long-lasting personal and professional relationships. And one time, back in 2017, we invented the hybrid Zoom meeting. Oops – sorry about that, everyone. Forever young!
Clare Mattione (current director): Congrats on 25 years! The more I do with AYLA, the more I realize that you are the backbone behind everything. Thank you for always being available and organized, I don’t know what we would do without you!
Emily Morris (past president, 2024-2025): Debbie (along with Delaine and others from AYLA/Austin Bar boards) supported me during a deeply difficult season while I was president in 2024-25. She kept AYLA operations going without missing a beat and also made sure my family and I were cared for personally. I’ll always be grateful for that.
Samantha McCoy (current director): For a quarter century, Debbie’s leadership has been the heartbeat of AYLA. She is the steady, compassionate force who makes everything run seamlessly in every event, every fundraiser, every moment of support for our attorneys. She cares about each individual professionally and personally. During a period when one of my loved ones was struggling with significant physical challenges, she checked in regularly and made sure I felt supported, which is a reflection of the genuine care she brings to everything she does. She consistently goes out of her way to lift up our legal community, and her dedication has shaped AYLA’s culture in ways that will last far beyond this anniversary. We are all better for her commitment, and we are honored to celebrate her 25 years of extraordinary service. Thank you, Debbie, for everything!
Amanda Arriaga (past president, 2014-2015): Debbie is AYLA. The reason it functions is because of her efforts and her love of the people. It is so rare to find a leader that is competent, organized, likeable and can continue the quality of the organization for this many years. Because of Debbie’s efforts, she inspires her boards to work just as hard.
Ryan Pitts (current director): It’s hard to overstate how much Debbie means to AYLA. Not only does she make the organization run seamlessly from year to year, but she also is a trusted advisor, mentor to many, and a lot of fun. We’re so incredibly grateful for her and her hard work over many years.
Katie Fillmore (past president, 2016-2017): I served on the AYLA Board from 2011 through 2025, and had a front-row seat to the tremendous impact Debbie Kelly has on the organization. Debbie is the institutional memory of AYLA. Her decades of involvement have provided invaluable continuity, allowing each new board to benefit from her knowledge, perspective, and experience. Whether solving a last-minute problem, answering a question, or helping execute a new initiative, Debbie is always willing to do whatever is needed to ensure AYLA’s success. Simply put, she is the MVP of the organization.
One of my favorite Debbie memories comes from the Austin Dancing with the Stars Gala, where a group of AYLA past presidents gathered to support then-President Sandy Bayne as she competed. I have attended countless events with Debbie over the years, but they were almost always events she was running, organizing, or quietly troubleshooting behind the scenes for AYLA or the Austin Bar Association. That evening was different. For once, Debbie was not coordinating vendors, managing logistics, or making sure every detail was perfect. She was simply enjoying the event alongside friends and colleagues. Seeing her relax and have fun was a reminder of just how much work she typically shoulders behind the scenes. Most people experience the success of an AYLA event; Debbie is often the reason for it.
Jasleen Shokar (current secretary): Many lawyers join AYLA to meet other young lawyers, network, and find our place amidst what can be the very tumultuous waves of legal practice. If you take a leadership position in the organization, you get a few more ripples, and the absolute privilege of getting to work with Debbie. Debbie is the most wonderful anchor in all that chaos. She is always there with a good idea, lots of experience, and an appreciation for both lawyers and the integrity of the organization itself.
If you ask members of this organization what it offered them, many will say friendship, job opportunities, and a community that represents them and their experiences. For me personally, I have found some of the most amazing and supportive friendships in this organization and found the most fun and fulfilling job I have ever had through this organization. None of that could be possible without Debbie. It takes tremendous coordination, careful planning, and an extraordinary amount of goodwill to organize events for lawyers and judges that cater to the needs of young lawyers while accommodating the (literal) trials and tribulations of legal practice that the organization’s members endure. But Debbie does it all, and with such grace. Whether the waters are calm or treacherous, Debbie is there as a constant to steady the boat. She is often the first warm, friendly face a young lawyer sees at an event, and the last person there making sure everyone has been taken care of. She is the soul of the organization, and AYLA wouldn’t be nearly as welcoming, helpful, or efficient without her. Happy 25th anniversary, Debbie!
