Being a Taurus, spring has always been my favorite season. As I write this column, the wildflowers are out in full force with bluebonnets leading the charge. It is a season of renewal, growth, and a push to finish projects that need to wrap before summer sets in. AYLA has enjoyed a busy spring full of inspiring CLEs, service projects, and community. We just completed the 4th annual crawfish boil fundraiser for the AYL Foundation–complete with the popular addition of a cornhole tournament this year! It was a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine, music, friends, and lots of deliciously spicy crawfish.
As we look toward the remainder of this bar year, I want to express particular gratitude to the AYLA board and our executive director, Debbie Kelly. It’s bittersweet to be on the downward slope of my term as president when it also feels like I’m just getting started. To that end, here are a few tips for civic service I’ve learned this year:
Don’t have a baby at the beginning of your presidential term. (Peak mom: “Do as I say, not as I do.”)
If you do, make sure you have a really dynamic board to lead well and carry out your vision for the year. I’m fortunate to have that and couldn’t have made it through otherwise. Thank you especially to President-Elect Jenna Malsbary for your unwavering support this year.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help to get through rough seasons. It can be extra hard for lawyers to accept help because we are high performers who are used to doing the helping. Our Austin legal community is one of the best and continues to show up for each other personally and professionally.
Don’t let the tough times keep you from doing what you’re meant to do. Volunteering can be empowering by showing that even small steps make a big difference –and it comes with community. So if you are feeling well enough to do a little something (or a big something in a lot of little steps), then please do! We all need each other.
In closing, be sure to support the 2025 Leadership Academy class fundraiser in support of CASA by playing pickleball on Saturday, May 10!
We are also planning a second Trial Institute for June, fantastic Freshquires programming, and of course have Thursday docket calls on the way. I hope to see you all out and about having a beautiful spring.